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Abruptly.

Yanked up her underwear and jeans, covering herself with quick, jerky movements.

Turning, she flung her head back and lifted her chin. “Well,” she said. “That certainly was a fuck.”

Yet the tremble in her hand as she shoved her hair from her face — carefully avoiding his gaze — belied the harsh words.

“I’ll just…” She snatched up her top and dragged it over her head.

Inside out. Back to front.

Ronan wasn’t a fool. He kept quiet.

“Go,” she whispered. “I need to go.”

The whole house vibrated with the force of the slam of the door behind her.

Leaving Ronan alone.

He stood there for a long moment, the echo of her presence still lingering in the air.

Then he dragged a hand across his face and exhaled. “Well,” he muttered to the empty house, “that happened.” He scooped up his sweatpants and went to take care of the condom.

12

Birthdays

It was her fourth Apple Festival in Clearbrook.

And the fairy lights still offended her.

Spotlights were more her thing. Bright enough to light the darkest corners.

Two years ago — almost to the day — she’d met Ronan right here in the park. She could still recall the disdain in his eyes.

And his words.

I know your type.

Words that had burned deep.

But last week…

His eyes had radiated warmth. And something she had never seen in a man’s eyes when they looked at her.

And she had fled.

Not just because if the truth of her past ever came to light, that warmth — and whatever that other something was — would turn to disgust. But also because her feelings frightened her. Feelings she had never imagined experiencing toward another human being.

Never mind a man.

Bah. Feelings.

Feelings invited daydreaming. Visions of a future with a man who loved wholeheartedly. A man who filled a woman’s life with warmth and laughter and cuddles — and mind-blowing sex. Even if said sex happened in a hallway surrounded by drop cloths and dust.

Feelings were not for brittle, disillusioned women who hid behind the protection and authority of a shield.

A shield she wore tonight. Because tonight she wasn’t here for memories.