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He shifted his gaze back and pointed to his abdomen, where the wound throbbed dully beneath his shirt. “I can shower as long as it’s covered, but I’m not supposed to immerse in water for an extended time.”

Her expression clouded. “Oh, right. I’m sorry. I totally forgot.”

He wished he could forget but he had the fun ache to remind him. Along with a few other aches caused entirely by the woman standing in front of him. “I’m going to take Kodi for another walk,” he said instead. “Let him stretch his legs a little.”

“You certainly don’t have any trouble getting your daily steps in with him, do you?” she said, a faint smile tugging at her mouth.

He managed a smile. “Keeps us both out of trouble.”

As he clipped on Kodi’s leash and headed for the door, he had to be grateful she had no idea how much he yearned for her right now.

When he returned an hour later, he met up with Hannah and the kids at the elevator on their way back to the suite, hair slicked back and towels wrapped around their shoulders. The children looked much happier than when they had left their mother earlier.

Once they reached their floor, he unlocked the suite door and held it open for them. “Done already?” he asked.

“Yeah. It was really fun, but I’m starving,” Carter said.

“I promised them pizza,” Hannah said, wringing out her hair with her towel. “Do you mind?”

“I never mind pizza,” he said. “That sounds perfect. I also walked past an ice-skating rink that looked pretty fun. Would that interest anybody?”

“Yes!” Carter exclaimed. “Me!”

“Can we take Kodi with us?” Riley asked, leaning down to pet the dog.

“I think he’s ready to have a nice nap,” Wes said. Kodi had already flopped down in the corner of the living area, head on his paws. “Don’t worry, he’ll be fine here on his own.”

“Okay,” Riley said. “We’ll tell him all about it when we get back.”

The kids rushed into their bedroom to change, leaving him alone with Hannah.

“I’ll order the pizza as soon as I change my clothes,” she said.

“I can do it,” he offered. “It’s no problem. What kind do you and the kids like?”

“I have learned all about the best pizza these past few weeks. Carter likes pepperoni, but Riley only likes cheese. I’m a fan of veggie pizza.”

“Why don’t I order two?” he said. “One half pepperoni and half cheese, and one with veggies.”

“If you’re sure that works for you.”

“Should be fine.”

She looked at him then and he felt the air shift slightly between them, warmth and electricity arcing between them.

He wanted to step forward and kiss that soft, warm mouth before working his slow way around the rest of her.

He forced himself to glance down at his phone, already scrolling for a nearby pizza place while deliberately ignoring the heat simmering through him.

He had to ignore his renewed hunger. Once they were back in Shelter Springs, he could return to a safe distance from her while he tried to figure out how to deal with the fact that his feelings for Hannah Goodwin still burned within him, as brightly as ever.

Chapter 22

The pizza arrived faster than she expected, the knock at the door making both kids pop up from the couch as if they were on springs.

“I’ll get it!” Carter shouted.

Wes stepped toward the door behind him and from the open bedroom door, Hannah could hear their short conversation with the pizza delivery person.