“You’re safe here,” he said. “But I want you out of town.”
She pictured her house as she’d last seen it. Would she ever feel safe there again? She also had a business to run. Bills to pay.
Her brow furrowed. “My gallery… I have a show next month.”
“Can your assistant handle it?”
She sighed. “No. But everything’s already set up. The pieces are framed. Invitations sent. I’ll need to be home in time for the event.”
“And your students?”
“I can reschedule. Or Zoom for a week.” She paused. “It’s not ideal.”
“Your safety is important.”
“Right.” She exhaled. “What do I do in the meantime?”
“Come with me to Austin.”
“What’s in Austin?” Her gaze drifted to the photograph on the dresser. “That little girl?”
“That’s Tasha, my daughter. Not so little anymore. She’s a freshman in college.”
“She favors you.” Erica hesitated to ask but needed to know. “Where’s her mother?”
“We divorced almost ten years ago. Tasha lives with her in Austin. My folks are there, too.”
Shock rippled through her. “You’re taking me to meet your family?”
“Yes,” he replied, no hesitation. “They’ll love you.” He paused, studying her. “What about your family? Where are they?”
“I was a foster kid. I don’t have any.”
He waited, giving her space she had no intention of filling.
She forced a small smile. “It’s a long story. And not a very interesting one.”
A little panicky, she steered them to the matter at hand. No man had ever brought her home to meet the parents. No man had ever gotten that far. She wasn’t sure she was ready.
“Isn’t this soon?”
A corner of his mouth lifted. “You know where this is headed.”
“Can you be a little more specific?”
He leaned in slowly, his hand sliding into her hair and around the nape of her neck. “You. With me. In my bed,” he murmured against her mouth, “permanently.”
Heat spread through her. It was all happening fast, but she wanted him enough not to care. His lips on hers chased out the panic and the last of the chill from the night before.
Her hand slid up his chest. “We should get right on that, then.”
That was all the agreement he needed. He kissed her again, deeper this time. Not rushed or desperate. Controlled.
His tongue slid inside, exploring, tasting, both unhurried and thorough, like he meant to take his time. She was thinking about more than kisses when he raised his head.
“I didn’t bring you here for this,” he murmured, his breath warm on her lips.
She smiled, fingers curling into his shoulders. “I know. But there’s nothing I hate more than a missed opportunity.”
