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“Do you want me to build a fire?” he asked softly.
She shook her head. “I just want to be alone.”
So he withdrew again.
At sunset, the wind picked up, and the temperature dropped, and still she hadn’t come in. He carried a throw blanket out and wrapped it around her.
“Come inside, babe.”
She let him lead her through the French doors that led to the master bedroom. He tucked her in the big Mediterranean style bed and built a fire in the fireplace.
Then he kissed her forehead, turned out the light, and let her sleep.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Tinsley finally woke and checked the time on her phone. It was after 9 pm.
The room was warm, and the fire was still burning. She pushed the covers back and went to the French doors, peering out. There was a full moon shining brightly. Grady sat at a table, staring out at the lake, a drink next to him.
She wanted to go to him. She wanted him to hold her in his arms. No, she wanted much more than that. What happened today only brought home for her the fact that life is finite, and she only got one shot at living it the way she wanted. She was so sad for Kiley, but her best friend had been right about one thing. She shouldn’t be afraid to go after what or who she wanted.
She turned from the window and went in search of the room Grady had claimed. She found what she was looking for, grabbing one of his dress shirts. Returning to the master, she slipped her clothes off and pulled his shirt over her naked body, leaving the placket unbuttoned.
Stepping outside, she only walked a few steps, soundless in her bare feet.
Something made Grady turn. Perhaps his training, perhaps her breathing. He froze, his eyes sweeping over her, and she could tell he hadn’t missed the inch wide gap in the shirt or the fact that she had nothing on under it. But perhaps she was in the shadows, and he couldn’t see clearly.
“Nice shirt. You raid my closet?” he teased. When she didn’t reply, he called her name in a softer, more serious tone. “Tinsley?”
“I don’t want to be alone right now,” she whispered.
“I’m right here, princess.”
“That’s not what I mean.” Be brave, she told herself as she shrugged out of his shirt, and let it fall.
His lips parted, and his gaze moved over every inch of her. His voice was gravelly when he finally found words. “You sure about this?”
“I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.”
The metal chair scraped along the slate tiles as he stood. He moved to her slowly until he stood before her. She had to tilt her head to look at him.
“You wanted my attention. You’ve got it, sweetheart.”
“I don’t want to regret not taking a chance.”
“What about tomorrow morning? I don’t want to be something else you regret.”
“I could never regret a minute spent with you.”
He scooped her into his arms and carried her to the bedroom, kicking the door shut behind them. He set her down and backed her against the wall.
She sucked in a breath at the cool plaster pressed to her back. He put his hands on the wall above her head, bracketing her in. His head dipped, and he kissed her like she wanted, with passion and heat.
When he broke the kiss, he was breathing hard. “I won’t want to stop. One night will never be enough. Last chance to back out, Miss Wyatt.”
“Never, Mr. Steele.”
He pulled back an inch, as if he was having second thoughts. “Maybe you just like the forbidden. Is banging your bodyguard hot?”
