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Often in the past she questioned her decisions, but she wasn’t questioning this one. And even if this one night was all they had, she knew she wouldn’t regret it.
He curved her against him and she felt safe, and needed, and wanted and so many good things all at once.
Josh said nothing, and after a moment she lifted her head.
“Are you all right?”
“Mmm.” His eyes were closed and she wondered if, maybe, she’d read this all wrong that he was having regrets.
“What are you thinking?”
He stirred and finally opened his eyes. “That Steven was a fool to let you go, but his loss is my gain so I can’t be too angry with the guy.”
She glowed. “Marrying him wasn’t a good decision, but I do make some good decisions.”
“I count at least five in the past hour.”
She grinned. “Josh Ryder. Are you being a scoundrel?”
“I don’t know.” He shifted her underneath him in a smooth movement. “Tell me what scoundrels do, and I’ll tell you if I fit the description.” He lowered his head and kissed her. “You’re incredible, Martha.”
No one had ever called her incredible before. “Just for the record, which bit of me is incredible?”
“All of you, from your cute curly hair to your amazing butt. Mostly your nature. You’re the kindest, most generous person I’ve ever met.”
She ran her fingers through his hair feeling it fall, silky soft, between her fingers. “Are you saying I’m a doormat?”
“Doormat?”
“A pushover. Weak.”
“Kindness isn’t weakness. Kindness is a quality that is often underrated—” he rolled onto his back, taking her with him “—except by me. I’ve always been good at spotting value. It’s one of my talents.”
“You have other talents.” She trailed her fingers over his chest and down his abdomen. “Want me to list them?”
She’d been beating herself up about making bad decisions, but every decision she’d made had led her to this moment. If she’d made a different choice at any stage of her life, she wouldn’t have been here now. And she wouldn’t have missed this moment for the world.
He ran his hand down her bare back. “So now you’ve got your confidence back, I suppose you’re going to go back to your room.”
“This is my room.”
“Ah. Right. Good.”
“And I always think confidence is a funny thing—” She slid her hand lower and heard his sharp intake of breath. “It’s fragile. I probably still have a way to go. I might want to use you for a bit longer. Your teeth are clenched. Are you okay?”
He grunted and then rolled her on her back and covered her with his body. “I have a proposal.”
“No proposal. One divorce is enough.”
“Not that kind of proposal. The kind that involves you gaining your confidence in various places along the Pacific Coast.”
She kissed her way down his chest. “What exactly are you suggesting?”
“If you want me to give you a coherent answer, you’re going to have to stop what you’re doing for a few moments.”
She lifted her head but left her hand where it was. “I’m distracting you?”
“Maybe a little.” He spoke through his teeth and she smiled.
