"No." Now she felt stupid, but what else was she supposed to have thought?

Dan lay down, taking her with him. Leigh rested her cheek on his chest, listening to his heartbeat.

"I meant what I said in what I wrote," he said after a bit. "I discovered that day the type of man I did and didn't want to be, but I knew long before then I did want a woman like you. It wasn't until years later I realized I didn't just want a woman like you…I wanted you. It hurt inside to know that would never happen, that I would never be able to tell you how I feel. Then there you were back in my life. Not only did I not want to miss this opportunity Fate had tossed my way, but I was also determined to keep you and prove I was man enough to do so-to be the perfect man for my perfect woman."

Damn it all, now she was crying again. Sitting up, she reached for a tissue from the box on the nightstand. Dan rubbed her back, then sat up, too, and dotted kisses along her shoulder.

"I'm going to lay all my cards out, Leigh. I love you. Plain and simple."

A tinny ring like an old-time telephone broke the moment.

"Fuck," he muttered. "Of course." He swung his feet to the floor. "This time of night, it's got to be work." He dug his cell phone from his jeans, then punched a key. " Jefferson."

Leigh watched him brace his elbows on his knees. Frustration radiated off him. She crawled up behind him and did as he'd done for her-rubbed his back and kissed his shoulder. His arm came around to hug her.

"Yeah, but someone's going to have to come get me. No transportation. I'll explain later. But this is the third time that ass has fucked with my time off. If he's drunk yet again, it needs to go in his record." He ended the call. "Sorry…work."

"I know."

"Don't know how long I'll be."

"I know that, too."

He looked over his shoulder. "I meant what I said, Leigh. Every word of it. Are you…are you here for me? For now?"

"Yeah," she choked out. "I'm here."

He patted her thigh, then head for the bathroom across the hall.

Leigh waited until the door closed, then slipped on her robe, gathered his clothes for him and placed them on her bed. It didn't take him long. In fact, she'd never seen anyone move so quickly. He was ready to leave in under three minutes.

"Here are my numbers…home, work, cell, and my address." He scribbled the information on the back of one of his business cards as he spoke.

Leigh chuckled. "I'd give you my numbers, but I suspect you already have them."

Dan grinned. "I do." He placed the card on her nightstand, then leaned over and kissed her-once, twice…

Leigh cut him off after the third. "I promise I'm not going anywhere. I might even have hot coffee if you're back for breakfast."

"I'll probably be looking for bed and sleep by then."

"I have those, too."

Two more kisses before he pushed away. "Gotta go." He snagged his duffel and walked toward the door.

"Hey, Dan," she called out.

He turned back. "Yeah?"

"How do you feel about kids?"

He smiled. "I still love kids…and dogs, cats, animals in general. I'm onboard. Every journey begins with a single step, sweetheart. I'm taking it."

"Good to know." She grinned.

"Later." He winked and walked away.

It was only when she heard the door close that Leigh wondered if she should have given him a key. What the hell…if he wants in that badly he could probably pick the lock.

Leaning toward the nightstand, she opened the drawer and pulled out her list. No need to scan the items there. Dan met all her requirements. She tore the paper into tiny bits and watched them flutter into the small wastebasket below.

"And I'm pretty sure I'm going love you, too, Dan Jefferson."

Smiling, she picked up his card, then reached for the cordless. There were some things a man just had to know before heading off to a potentially dangerous night. This was one of those things.

The phone rang before she could dial. Caller ID showed it was Dan.

"Miss me already?" she asked.

Dan chuckled. "As a matter of fact, I do. I'd much rather be under the covers with you than heading out to work."

"I was just about to call you." Leigh's heartbeat slipped to her throat.

"Before you say anything I've got to clarify something." Hesitation lingered in his voice.

It scared her a little…okay, a lot. "Okay, I'm listening."

"The thing with kids and dogs… I am onboard, but I don't think I'm exactly ready to jump in with both feet just yet."

Leigh grinned. "Step at a time?"

"Yes, like start with a dog and work our way forward from there?"

"Sounds good. The condoms aren't necessary, by the way. All safety protocols are in place."

"Damn, woman, I want to run right back and give you a quickie."

"No turnaround?"

"Your powers are without compare."

"Flattery will get you anywhere, big guy."

He chuckled. "Who's flattering whom here?"

Leigh giggled, then said with all seriousness. "I'm with you, Dan."

"You are?"

God, she wished she could see his face. "I am, and I'm looking forward to sharing this journey with you. I'm right beside you wherever you walk, wherever the path leads."

Caitlyn Willows

Erotic romance author Caitlyn Willows weaves deep emotions and sizzling sensuality into her action-filled stories. Believing life is to be lived and felt, not merely watched, Willows delivers real-to-life characters in unforgettable tales of love, adventure, and always steamy passion.

Caitlyn Willows's email address is [email protected].