Cole’s plan was failing miserably. Ever since their argument on the plane, he’d tried to build a protective fence around his heart. Just in case. But she made it impossible to remain aloof. Her infectious joy at discovering a city she had dreamed about visiting, the playful race up Lombard Street, and her worries about being like her mother had combined to knock down his sad attempt at fence building, leaving him defenseless as her lips slid over his belly.

He’d waited all his life for this woman, but he hadn’t imagined there would be so many complications and challenges when he finally found “the one” for him. If he pushed too hard, he’d lose her. He knew that for certain. So he’d tried to hold back and had failed at that, too, because she’d picked up on it and had been hurt.

Maybe he had to roll the dice. If he gave her everything and she ended up walking away, at least he wouldn’t have to wonder if there was more he could have done. It was a risk, for sure, but one he was willing to take for her.

He watched her finish undressing him and reach for her sweater. She had no idea what an erotic picture she painted with her milky white skin, waterfall of long dark hair, and full breasts spilling out of a lacy yellow bra. When she reached back to unhook her bra, he stopped her, brought her down next to him on the bed, and hovered over her.

“Let me,” he whispered.

Her cheeks were flushed, and her breathing slowed as she waited to see what he would do.

Cole dipped his head and found her nipple through the lace. The alluring scent of her lotion fueled his desire as he tormented her. Finally, when he couldn’t bear to wait another minute for the real thing, he reached behind her and flipped open the bra with one hand. Nudging it out of his way, he gazed down at her. He loved how her pretty pink nipples darkened to a deep dusty rose when they made love.

He dragged his tongue in lazy circles designed to drive her mad. Apparently, it was working.

She combed her fingers into his hair, trying to direct him to where she wanted him. “Cole.”

“Hmm?”

“Come on,” she pleaded.

He laughed against her breast but made no move to give her what she wanted.

“You’re not being nice.”

He glanced up at her. “No?”

“You know you’re not.”

“Well, if you’re going to pout about it.” He closed in on one of the pebbled buds. Using his tongue, teeth, and lips, he gave her everything she wanted and then some. Judging by her moans and pants, she was done pouting. He gave her other breast the same treatment before he moved down. She was so ready for him that just a few sweeps of his tongue sent her flying.

He rolled on a condom and slid into her to ride the last waves of her orgasm.

Her eyes were closed, her lips parted, and her hands open and resting on either side of her head. So complete was her abandon that Cole had to look away for a moment to keep from coming too soon. He wanted more from her before he let himself go.

“Hey,” he whispered.

“Mmm.”

“Look at me.”

She opened her eyes.

“That’s better,” he said, bringing his lips down on hers for a light kiss. “I don’t want you going to sleep.” He pushed hard into her.

Her laughter mixed with another moan. “As if I could sleep right now.” She curled her arms around his neck and sought out his mouth.

Cole slowed the motion of his hips and sank into the kiss. Her breasts were flat against his chest, her ankles hooked around his back as her tongue curled around his. The combination made his head spin and his cock throb.

The kiss went on forever. Holding nothing back this time, he drank in her sweet taste like a starving man.

She squirmed under him, asking him for more.

Without ending the kiss, he began to move again, swift strokes in and out.

Olivia tore her lips free of his and took a harsh deep breath.

He felt her tremble and went deep, knowing she was close.

Her fingers clutched his backside.

A bead of sweat pooled at his brow. “Come on, baby,” he whispered. “Come for me.”

She cried out a minute later, and he let go—of his control, of his attempt to stay removed, of his plans to build a fence. He poured into her knowing he had lost the battle and acknowledging that if she left him now, he’d be ruined.

* * *

It had been different this time. He had been different, more like the man she’d made love with in Washington. Olivia sighed with contentment. They had gotten past the bump in the road, and she couldn’t be more relieved.

After the day they had spent together, she was more determined than ever to make this relationship work, despite the obstacles that stood in their way. So there was some geographical distance and a few years between them. And yes, they were at different places in their lives. But none of that mattered when stacked up against her love for him.

She opened her eyes and took another visual tour of the extravagant room. He had done this for her. His arms were wrapped tight around her from behind, his breathing slow and steady. As she wove her fingers through his, she wondered if he was asleep.

He squeezed her hand. “What are you thinking about?” he mumbled.

“You.”

Stifling a yawn, he drew her closer to him. “What about me?”

“Just how much I appreciate this trip and everything you did to make it happen.”

“I’m glad you’re enjoying it.”

“I know you’ve been here before, so it might not be as much fun for you—”

“Watching you see it for the first time is about the most fun I’ve ever had.”

She moved onto her back so she could see him. “I was sure you were asleep.”

“I was on my way, but I could hear your wheels turning.”

“Are they loud?”

“Very,” he said, shifting to use her for a pillow. “Spill it.”

Cradling his head against her chest, she played with his hair. “I’m afraid of ruining our good mood.”

He went still. “Are you going to tell me you’re through with me?”

“No,” she said with a soft chuckle.

“You’ve been faking all those orgasms?”

She smacked his shoulder. “Definitely not.”

“Then whatever it is, I think I can handle it.”

Taking a deep breath, she tilted his face up so she could see him. “I signed a lease on an apartment the other day.”

“You said you might, so I’m not totally surprised. How long?”

“A year, but I can get out of it with a month’s notice.”

“I guess that’s reasonable.”

“You’re not mad?”

“Of course not. I’d rather have you living with me, but I understand why you need to do this.”

“You do? Really?”

“Sure I do.”

Olivia released a long sigh of relief.

Amused by her distress, he twirled a lock of her hair around his finger. “So you were pretty worried, huh?”

She nodded. “You took me on this amazing trip, and you made me such a lovely offer to come live with you. I’d hate for you to think I don’t appreciate it.”

“I know you do. And I didn’t take you on this trip to convince you to come live with me. That’s a whole other deal, and you’re not ready. I’m cool with it.”

“The apartment is in Alexandria so you can stay with me whenever you’re in town.”

“And maybe you could come to Chicago during your Christmas break? Check things out? See what you think? For later, of course.”

His attempt at restraint drew a smile from her. “I’d love to.”

“When are you moving in?”

“They said I could have the place at the end of the week.”

“Want some help moving?”

“Really?”

He shrugged. “I’m off this week, so I could spend a couple of days in D.C.”

“What about the kids you fly to treatments?”

“I only do that on Tuesdays, so I had already let them know I was unavailable this week because we were going to be here.”

She squealed and flung her arms around him.

“I take it you’re pleased?”

“Yes,” she said, rewarding him with a deep kiss.

After a minute, he pulled back from her. “What if there’s a baby?” he asked tentatively.

“We’ll have plenty of time to prepare for that.”

“I won’t want to miss a thing.” He laid his hand on her flat belly. “I’d want to be there for every second.”

Olivia covered his hand with hers. “Are you planning to quit your job?” she asked with a smile.

“No, but if you’re pregnant with my baby, I want us to live together so I can take care of you. Both of you.”

She studied him for a long moment. “Am I going to wake up one of these mornings to find that my carriage has turned into a pumpkin and this whole thing was a dream?”

He pulled her tight against him. “No way.”

Pressing her lips to his chest, she relaxed into his embrace. “If it is a dream, it’s a dream come true.”

“For me, too, honey. For me, too.”

They rented a car the next morning and drove across the Golden Gate Bridge to Marin County. In Sausalito, they parked to walk through the artsy town. Olivia gazed into the window at a gallery that featured abstract paintings and sculptures.

“Do you want to go in?” Cole asked.

She shook her head.

“Why not?”

“I get so jealous in those places,” she confessed. “They’re like private clubs I’ll never be allowed to join.”

“That’s crazy! You’ve got more talent in your little finger than some of those people have in their whole bodies. Look at that.” He pointed to a sculpture. “What the hell is it?” Leaning in for a closer look, he snorted. “Twenty grand? For that?”

Olivia laughed at his indignation.

“Once you get into art school, you’ll get all kinds of connections and opportunities. I bet you’ll have your own showing in less than a year.”

“You’re very good for my self-esteem.”

He hooked his arm around her. “Let’s go in there and laugh at the outrageous prices they’re charging. We can figure out how much you’re going to be worth someday.”

They hit every gallery in town. “I guess I can retire,” he concluded after they were seated for lunch. “You’re going to be loaded.”

“Are you going to let me keep you?”

“I’ll be Mr. Mom to our five kids.”

“Five?”

“Why not?” He studied the menu. “You’ve got lots of years left before your clock starts ticking.”

“You’re high if you think I’m having five kids.”

“All right. Four then.”

“Two if you’re lucky.”

He smiled victoriously. “You just agreed to have two kids with me.”

“Hey! You tricked me!”

“Whatever it takes.”

“So let me get this straight—you’re going to give up flying to stay home with our two kids?”

His smile faded. “By give up flying, do you mean—”

Olivia howled with laughter. “I didn’t think so.”

“How did that just backfire on me?”

“Clearly, you’re not as clever as you think you are.”

He sulked through lunch, which Olivia seemed to find hilarious. When the check arrived, she reached for it.

“Give me that,” he said.

She held it out of his reach. “Oh, let me. It’s the least I can do after you agreed to give up flying so I can pursue my dreams.”

“I have a feeling I’m going to live to regret this,” he mumbled as he followed her from the restaurant.

“Don’t worry, honey. You’ve got nine months—or I guess it’s more like eight now—to fly your little heart out before Junior arrives and brings you solidly down to earth.”

He glowered at her. “Are you enjoying yourself?”

“I’m having a blast.” She hooked her arm through his. “What’s next?”

Half an hour later, Cole waited outside for Olivia while she browsed through a shoe store. The day was clear and warm, the sky a bright, vivid blue. San Francisco’s famous fog had decided to take the day off from blanketing the area, and Cole had never experienced a more glorious northern California day.

Of course, his enjoyment of the day was largely due to his companion, who made every day feel like Christmas. They’d also noticed that people tended to recognize him but didn’t approach him here the way they did back East. West Coasters were no doubt more used to celebrity sightings and handled them with more aplomb.

“Cole.”

He brought his eyes down from the sky and made eye contact with Chelsea Harper. Oh, God. Does any man alive have worse luck than me?

“Chelsea.”

The striking redhead hugged him, and as he returned the embrace Cole’s heart tripped with anxiety. He could only imagine how this would look to Olivia.

“It’s so great to see you,” Chelsea said. “You look fabulous, as always.”

“Likewise. How’ve you been?”

“A little better.” Her pretty face lifted into a small, sad smile. “I miss you, but I’m trying to move on.”

“I’m so sorry about what happened.”

“We were caught up in all the Captain Incredible magic,” she said with a rueful expression. “I’ve come to see it was doomed from the start.”

Cole had no idea what to say to that, so he asked the obvious question. “What’re you doing here?” The last he knew, she lived in Portland, Oregon.

“I decided I needed a new start. My sister lives here, so I moved last month. I’m working at one of the galleries.” With a shy smile, she added, “And I’m writing again.”

He was surprised they hadn’t run into her earlier when they were visiting the galleries. “I’m so glad to hear that. I’ve thought of you—”

Her hand on his arm stopped him. “Please don’t say what you think I need to hear. That won’t help me.”

Humbled by her quiet grace, Cole met her green-eyed gaze, remembering how hard he’d tried to fall in love with this gem of a woman.

“Um, Cole?”

Olivia’s voice blasted him out of his reverie and returned him to his present predicament. But before he looked away, he saw the flash of hurt that dashed through Chelsea’s eyes.

He put his arm around Olivia. “This is Olivia Robison. Olivia, Chelsea Harper. We met after the blizzard landing. She was a passenger on the flight.”

“I remember reading about the two of you.” Olivia’s expression remained neutral as she shook hands with Chelsea. “Nice to meet you.”

“You, too,” Chelsea said.

Cole’s stomach constricted at the tension he heard in Olivia’s voice. She had to be getting tired of running into his ex-girlfriends. What if she decided she’d had enough of it? The thought sharpened the pain circling in his gut.

“Well,” Chelsea said, “I’d better be getting back to work. It was really great to see you, Cole.”

“You, too.”

Chelsea’s gaze took in both of them. “Take care.”

Cole watched Chelsea until she ducked into a door on the next block, and then he ventured a glance at Olivia whose eyes were fixed on the building down the street.

“She’s very beautiful.”

“Yes.”

“She was in love with you.”

“Yes again.”

Olivia crossed her arms and finally looked up at him. “What happened?”

“I didn’t love her,” he said with a helpless shrug. “I wanted to, but I just didn’t.”

“Why not? She seems perfectly lovely.”

“She was. I mean, she is. But something was missing.” He tucked a strand of Olivia’s hair behind her ear and caressed her cheek, hoping to allay the fear he felt coming from her. “It bothered me, you know? Here was this woman who was so perfect for me in every way, and yet I couldn’t love her. That was the first time I really thought something was wrong with me, that I was deficient in some important way. But that wasn’t it.”

“What was the problem?”

He looked again at the gallery where Chelsea worked before he lowered his gaze to Olivia. “She wasn’t you.”

“Cole.”

“I know you probably think I’m feeding you a line because of what just happened, but I swear I’m not. I never understood what was missing until I met you.” He gestured toward Chelsea’s building. “She wanted more than I was willing to give. After it was over, I remember thinking that if I couldn’t love Chelsea, what hope was there for me? You know? When she walked away, I told myself I should be sad or lonely or disappointed. But I wasn’t. I wasn’t anything.”

He cradled Olivia’s face in his hands and gazed into her eyes. “If you walked away, I’d never get over it. That’s how I know everything about us is different.”

“I want so badly to believe that.”

Cole experienced a surge of panic. “You can believe it. I swear to you, Olivia.”

“I’m not going to lie to you and tell you your past doesn’t bother me because it does. It’s hard picturing you with other women.”

“Then don’t. Picture me with just you because that’s the only place I want to be, Liv.” He tilted her face so he could see her eyes. “Do you believe me?”

“I’m trying,” she said softly. “But I’m still scared.”

“Of what?”

“That you’ll find someone you like better—”

Oblivious to the other people passing on the sidewalk, he captured her mouth in a quick but passionate kiss. “It’ll never happen.”

“You have women throwing themselves at you everywhere you go.” She looked away. “So many opportunities.”

“None of which would ever tempt me.” Cole suddenly realized this was the most important conversation he’d ever had. “Not when I have you in my life. Not when I finally have everything I’ve ever wanted.”

The obvious battle she waged with her emotions touched his heart. He hated that she now had one more reason to doubt his love for her.

“How about we get back to our day?” he asked, forcing a cheerful tone. “Ready to paint the bridge?”

Despite her nod, he still saw concern lingering in her expressive eyes.

“Everything’s going to be okay, Liv. I promise.”

She attempted a smile. “Let’s go.”

They drove to Golden Gate Park where the bright sun kept the fog from consuming the bridge.

“Do you want to paint it from this side or the other?” Cole asked.

Mesmerized by the view, Olivia said, “This is fine.”

He came up behind her, put his hands on her shoulders, and rested his chin on the top of her head. “Want me to disappear for a while?”

“You don’t have to.”

“You don’t want me watching.”

“I wouldn’t mind if you did.”

“Really? I thought you artist types were very secretive about your works in progress.”

“Other artist types maybe. But not me.” She went up on tiptoes to kiss him. “And not if it’s you who’s watching.”

“I’m honored.” He stole another kiss and went to get her supplies from the trunk of the car. “I should’ve gotten you an easel, too,” he said, surveying the picnic table she had chosen.

“And how would we have gotten that home?”

“I do have a few connections with the airline, you know.”

“The table is fine.”

“Do you need anything else?”

She cracked open the bottle of water they had bought for her to use with the watercolors. “Not a thing.”

“And you’re warm enough?”

“I’m fine,” she said with a giddy grin. She couldn’t believe where she was and what she was about to do. “I hope you aren’t going to be bored.”

He bent down to kiss her cheek. “Take your time. Minutes, hours, whatever you need.”

Squeezing the hand he had placed on her shoulder, she said, “Thank you,” and got busy setting up the table to her satisfaction.

“Are you sniffing the paint?”

“I love the smell of new paint.” She held it out for him to take a whiff.

His face crinkled with disgust. “Ew.”

“It’s an acquired taste.”

“Apparently. I’m going to take a walk so I don’t mess with your groove.”

“You don’t have to.”

“I know.” He kissed her nose. “Have fun. I’ll be back in a bit.”

“Okay.” Olivia watched him go and then turned her attention to the bridge.

She studied the span for several minutes as her mind wandered back to the incident in Sausalito. Another woman from Cole’s past. They seemed to be just about everywhere. If she was wise, she’d run from him as fast as she could before he could do to her what he’d done to them.

As she puzzled over the situation, Olivia kept coming back to a saying of her father’s: Call ’em like you see ’em. In other words, judge people by the way they treat you, not by what others say about them. If she were to judge Cole solely based on the way he’d treated her, he’d get a gold star.

Here she was sitting in Golden Gate Park about to paint the bridge she’d dreamed of seeing in person for most of her life. He’d done that for her. He’d brought her here, bought the paints, and given her all the time she needed to indulge her passion. On top of that, he’d encouraged her to apply to art school. That was the Cole she knew. That was the only Cole she knew. And that was the Cole she would love and believe in, unless he gave her a reason not to.

Determined to have faith in him—and in them—Olivia dipped her brush into the paint and got busy.