In the cold light of morning, panic edged her nerves. What had she done? In one evening, she’d shared secrets of her past, stripped naked, let him make love to her in a variety of ways, and begged for more. But this couldn’t be real. Normal people didn’t begin relationships jumping into bed in the middle of a snowstorm. The evening seemed like a hazy dream of blurred images and feelings that could never survive. She didn’t need a mind-blowing sexual affair doomed to fail. She wanted something solid and real, reasonable in everyday routine.

Dylan McCray was larger than life. Bigger than a boring domestic schedule no matter what he said about his parents or his true goals. If she believed him, Riley knew she’d throw away her ridiculous list and go for it. She’d follow him anywhere, do anything, and live in a fantasy world that would eventually crash. And once it did, could she ever settle for something less?

No. At least this way she had a beautiful memory to warm her nights. She had more than she had before. It would have to be enough.

Swallowing past a lump in her throat, Riley carefully climbed out of bed. Grabbing her clothes, she tiptoed out the door, dressing quickly. She headed to the kitchen and peeked out the window.

The snow had finally stopped but there was definitely two feet out there. The walkways and paths were covered, and God knows there’d be no way to get down the mountain until some crews came out to clear the roads. Her heart beat faster and she fought back panic. She had to get out of here. Her instincts screamed the quicker the better to avoid a confrontation she dreaded. Should she—

“Morning.”

She whipped around. He stood in the doorway, feet apart, hip cocked. He’d put on a pair of sweats and was naked from the waist up. The sexy morning-after stubble made her ache to cross the room and rub it against her tender lips, slip her fingers around his rock-hard length, stroke, suck— Oh, God, what was she doing?

“Morning.”

“I’ll put on some coffee.” He motioned toward the window. “How bad is it?”

“Snow stopped but it’s a mess. I’m hoping the phone lines are back up. I need to get my cell phone from the car. Umm, any idea how I can get out of here?”

He filled the pot with water and took out the grinder. “Figured we’d spend the day together. I’ll have my staff get you towed. Plow guy should be here in a few hours.”

“Oh. Well, that sounds good, but I really need to leave as soon as possible.” She gave a nervous laugh. “I’m way behind on—work.”

He finished grinding the beans, filled the filter, and flipped on the brew switch. Then turned to her. “Got the spooks, Riley?”

She stiffened. Cooled her voice. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I have a ton of work, messages to return, and can’t afford to be trapped on a mountain all day.”

He nodded, seemingly calm, but a dangerous aura pulsed around him. “I see. Are we going to at least talk about last night?”

She blew out a breath. “Sounds like an old eighties movie. I didn’t think we needed to, Dylan. Last night was amazing. But now it’s daytime, and we need to get on with our lives.”

“How neat and tidy. Sorry my answer won’t be.”

“What answer?”

“Fuck that.”

She jerked. Anger flooded her, pure and hot and mean. “Look, I don’t know what you think last night was, but I refuse to be spoken to that way.”

“Didn’t mind it last night when I was buried deep inside you. Seemed to like anything I said then.”

Her face turned warm. Damn, she hated blushing. “That was then. This is now.”

“Why don’t you tell me what last night was about, then?” Dylan rested his fists on his hips, challenging her with a gaze that dared her to lie.

Why was he doing this? Wasn’t he the man in the relationship? He was supposed to be stumbling over himself in an effort to get her quickly out of his house and praying they wouldn’t be talking about feelings or expectations. Screw this. She refused to cower under his overbearing high-handedness.

“Fine. You want me to be truthful, I will. Last night was wonderful. It was hot, and a fantasy, and a memory I’ll never forget. But I think we both realize we were trapped in a snowstorm, had some leftover feelings from our time together at college, and needed to get it out of our system. Now I need to go back to my real life. You wouldn’t fit, Dylan, and you know it. Let’s do the right thing by admitting our time together was special, and deciding to move on. Maybe even be friends?” She choked on the word but managed to forge ahead. “How does that sound?”

He moved so fast she never saw him coming. Suddenly he loomed over her, his hands gripping her shoulders, fury transforming him into the rebel archangel bent on getting what he wanted. “I think your plan sucks,” Dylan stated coldly. “I think you’re so scared of how deep things got the only way to feel safe again is to pretend it didn’t mean anything. I may not blame you, but I gotta admit, Riley, it’s pissing me off. I thought you were braver than that.”

She gasped. “How dare you! We spent one night together and that doesn’t give you a right to pretend to know me! All we have together is great sex. It’s not enough to base a relationship on.”

“I disagree,” he growled. “The sex is the best I’ve ever had, but it’s about connection. We get each other. It’s not rational or good on paper, but there it is. We fit. And walking away from it because you think I’m suddenly gonna spook, or some bullshit about me not owning nine out of the ten qualities on your ridiculous list is a cop-out.”

“It’s not ridiculous, it’s real! Don’t you get it? The sex is too good. We’re too—intense.” Her voice broke, making her even madder, but his grip gentled and he pressed his forehead to hers.

“I know it was intense, darlin’. I know it’s a lot to take in, and it was only one night, but here’s the truth. I’m giving it all to you in one shot. My whole life I’ve been searching for something incredible. My other half, a woman who made me feel whole. From the moment I found you in that car and carried you in, my senses have been in overdrive. And when I finally drove inside your body, felt your heat around me, I knew. I just knew.

“It’s you. I’ve been searching for you.”

Her body shook like it was in the grip of a fever. Fireworks went off in her brain, short-circuiting, and she tore apart in two. Half of her sobbed in relief and surrendered. The other half cringed in bone-gripping fear of the unknown and unrealistic.

Marriage and relationships were about compromise. Communication. Likability. Not this crazy hormonal ride, and soul-ripping, raw need. It couldn’t be.

So Riley stood in his arms, frozen, not able to say a word. His hands stroked her cheek, the truth shattering them both, and then he kissed her.

Pure. Oh, his kiss gave everything she’d always wanted, sweet and gentle and humbling. She kissed him back, savoring every last moment, and when he pulled away she knew what she had to do.

“It’ll never work,” she whispered. She closed her eyes, trembling with the force of her need, and the iron-will control she had to stay strong. “You and I together will never . . . fit.”

“That fucking box again.” He stepped back, releasing her. He quickly turned, but she already caught the agony on his face, making a moan emit from her throat. He fisted his hands, cursing viciously under his breath. Finally, he spoke, but kept his back turned.

“I guess you’ve made your decision. I can’t force you to take a chance. I can’t force you to have feelings you may not. And I’m sorry, too.”

He moved toward the door. “I’ll call the tow truck to get you out of here and give you a lift home. Help yourself to coffee.”

He left. Riley shuddered, slumping down to rest in the chair and catch her shaking legs. She knew he had done more than left her in the kitchen. He’d respected her very rational, logical decision and let her go completely.