Anything for Her(32)

She crossed her arms. The pose might have looked negligent if the clasp hadn’t been so tight; she seemed to be hugging herself. “I’m not mad. Just, um...”

Having second thoughts. Damn it. He’d known.

“Just?” he prodded.

“Not sure this—” she wagged her fingers, presumably encompassing the two of them “—is such a good idea. I mean, I like you, Nolan, but Sean surely needs to be your priority right now.”

“To the point where I can’t have friends? Date?”

“Obviously he sees me as a threat.”

“Yeah, I guess he does. The thing is, I don’t think it’s only due to his circumstances. If he was my biological kid, with me since he came into this world, he’d likely be manning the castle wall the same way. Kids do that. They like having undivided attention. Hell, we don’t change that much as adults, maybe especially where our parents are concerned.”

He could see she wanted to argue but couldn’t.

“Think about it,” Nolan urged. “What if your mother started to date now? Wouldn’t your first impulse be defensive?”

“No! I’d be happy for her.” A struggle showed on her face. “All right, I’d probably feel funny about it. Maybe...more protective of her than anything.”

“Yeah?”

Her eyebrows knit. “I suppose...any time two people are used to coming first with each other, there’s some...tension when that changes.”

He nodded. “My point. It’s something you work out. A parent doesn’t decide never to date again, because it upsets his kid. Especially since, in the long run...” Whoa. In the long run? He wasn’t thinking long run. Not yet. Or at least—he hadn’t known he was.

She looked skittish, too.

“I want to keep seeing you, Allie.” He felt raw; tried to sound no more than blunt. “We can take it slow where Sean is concerned. But don’t write me off because I have a fourteen-year-old foster son who is running scared and can be a butt.”

“I wouldn’t do that.” Allie’s expression was startlingly vulnerable when she looked at him. “I suppose I was conflicted anyway. I’m...I suppose, shy. I don’t make friends easily. It’s been an awfully long time since I had any kind of serious relationship.”

Or sex? Did she include sex in that?

“It has been for me, too.” He scrubbed a hand over his chin. “I’ve always been a loner. You’ve made me...not want to be.”

Her eyes noticeably widened, dilated. Her lips parted as they stared at each other. “Me, too,” she whispered.

Nolan groaned, shoved off from the counter and took her in his arms.





CHAPTER SIX



IF NOLAN HAD kissed her any way but tenderly, Allie might have been able to resist. As it was, his arms wrapped her tight, but his lips were exquisitely gentle. Demands frightened her, but this was a “please.” Please feel the same way I do. Please don’t say no.

She did. She couldn’t.

His big hands were so careful, as they moved over her back and hips, one settling on her nape, the other continuing to rove and knead, sample, tempt. Her arms circled his neck and she rose on tiptoe to fit against him better. To hang on, too. Her legs didn’t feel as reliable as usual.

The kiss gradually deepened. His tongue was in her mouth, not thrusting hard but stroking. She sucked on it, and felt his big body jolt. With a groan, he half lifted her and his hips rocked against hers. Heat rocketed through her. So much, so fast.

He tore his mouth from hers. “Allie.” He sounded shaken, his voice rough. “If you don’t want this, tell me now.”

Old fears knocked for attention, but she seemed helpless to stop herself from rubbing against him. And she wanted this. She wanted him.

“I’m not on birth control.” Kill the mood, that would do it.

A nerve jumped in his cheek. “I’ve been carrying a couple of condoms since the first time I kissed you.”

“I do want you.” Then, “Please.”

“God.” Relief transformed his face before he bent his head and rested his forehead against hers. “Your bedroom.”

“Yes,” she whispered.

He took her hand and led her, as if she didn’t know the way. She saw his gaze sweep over the room and was momentarily self-conscious. There was more of her in this room than anywhere else in her life. No one else had ever been in it. She’d always thought she’d have time to tuck away her few keepsakes. Panic had barely stirred when his glittering blue eyes locked onto hers again.