“You.” She pushed her linguine around on her plate. “You know what I mean.”

He put his fork down and sat back. “No, tell me. You’re a writer. Use your words. Tell me exactly what you mean.”

“Oh, is that how it’s going to be? A challenge?”

“You’re the one who said you believe in putting it all out there.”

“That I did. Okay, then.” She’d already stripped her soul bare in front of him once. She was willing to do it again. “What I mean is that I am sitting here reveling in how unbelievably sexy you are. How amazing you are inside and out. And I’m in awe of how the last four abysmal years of my life have led me to a man who could easily have any woman he wanted, and yet, he wants me.”

Alex nodded. “True statement. I do want you.”

She grinned. “That works out then, because I’ve also been contemplating how best to make up for lost time.”

“Meaning?”

She stared at him. “Meaning all the years I went without. Attention, affection, companionship. Sex.”

He swallowed, and she thought she saw a hint of color cross his cheeks. “Okay, definitely getting the picture.”

She shifted in her chair. “In fact, I was thinking about all the sex scenes I’ve written over the years. About how I don’t even really know if all of them are possible. Like, there’s one that takes place in a shed.”

His brows lifted, and he nodded. “Or the one on the motorcycle.”

Her mouth opened. “That scene doesn’t come until almost the end of the first book. Did you really read that far?”

He shrugged. “I read the whole thing. Couldn’t put it down, actually.”

She shook her head in disbelief. Thomas had never even shown the slightest bit of interest in her work, except to mock the very idea that anyone would want to read about romance. But Alex had read one of her books without her saying anything about it. She’d never felt such utter amazement in her life. Or desire.

She stood up, willing that intense feeling to power her through the next bold move. “Dinner is over. Dessert is being served. In the bedroom. If you’re interested. Which I’m hoping you are. The flan we can have later. We’ll probably need some sugar to fuel the rest of the evening.”

His eyes flashed gold, but she was too happy to care that the crazy had returned. He jumped up and grabbed her hand. “Yes, I’m interested—actually, interested isn’t a strong enough word, but there are two reasons this isn’t going to happen tonight.”

She frowned, knowing she looked disappointed, but she’d already told him this was going to be all about honesty. “Which are?”

“One, it’s dark now and my first concern is keeping you safe. Which means checking in with my friends who are helping me and heading out to make sure your ex isn’t lurking somewhere, plotting to do you harm. Your safety takes precedence. Which is why there will be another deputy parked outside, watching your place while I’m gone.”

She nodded reluctantly. “Okay, I understand all that. And thank you. What’s the second reason?”

He grabbed her hips and pulled her against him, his eyes blazing as he peered into hers. “I believe in foreplay. Physical and mental, and right now, you’re running on impulse, which I appreciate, but waiting a little longer will be worth it. I promise. I want our first night together to be perfect.”

She liked the sound of that.

He glanced at the table. “And maybe not after we’ve both just had large quantities of garlic, either.”

She laughed and slid her hands up his chest. “Okay, those are good reasons. How long are you going to make me wait?”

He leaned down and nuzzled her neck, making her sigh and shiver at the same time. Her pulse kicked up. She was already anticipating what was to come. If only Thomas wasn’t out there and Alex didn’t have to go look for him.

His hot breath tickled her skin as he answered. “Until you think you can’t wait another second.”

His teeth scraped her throat. “And then, one second more.”

“Coffee? Cookies?” Delaney asked. “I have some salted butterscotch blondies too, if you want one of those.”

“No, thanks. I just ate.” Alex stood in her kitchen, thankful that Delaney had agreed to see him on such short notice at her home. He’d called as soon as Deputy Lafitte had shown up at Roxy’s. Then Alex had driven straight here with the hopes of this being a quick trip. He had no desire to be away from her any longer than necessary.

Delaney took a few sugar cookies out of a jar on the counter, put them on a small plate, then sat at the kitchen table. “You said you wanted to talk about Roxy. What’s going on?”

He shook his head. “She’s still seeing things she shouldn’t. I’m sure of it. For whatever reason, the magic in the water isn’t having any effect on her.”

Delaney broke one of the cookies in half and took a bite. She swallowed before she answered. “That shouldn’t be.”

“But it is. So someone has to tell her the truth. She thinks she’s going crazy. Actually losing her mind. Did you know her mother had some issues with schizophrenia?”

Delaney stared at the plate. “Yes. She told me about that when we were in college. Very sad.”

“Then you can understand how this can’t go on any longer.”

“Oh no. Of course not.” Delaney put the remains of the cookie down. “That’s not good at all. She doesn’t need to think she’s going mad in addition to all the stress of this stupid divorce. But with her mother’s history, you can see why I’m hesitant to add any more stress to that load.”