“Well, it’s all settled,” I announced as we slid into the back seat of the car. “I booked us a room at the hotel so we can get ready before the wedding.” My shoulders heaved as I tried to focus on the positive, like the beautiful woman beside me, instead of all the people I had to face sober.

“Great.” Talia smiled and sank into the seat as she stared out the window. She seemed blissfully at peace.

Me, I was about to jump out of my skin. Forget about the fact that I looked good. Ignore my burgeoning bank accounts. I was about to confront my longtime friends who I’d mistreated for years. Sure, I put on a face for them, I pretended to be free of guilt, I tried to turn off my conscience, but the longer I was sober, the more I felt the pain of my actions. The longer I was away from rehab, the closer I was to my old life, the more I remembered about the past.

“What are you thinking?” Talia asked quietly.

I licked my lips, unsure of where to begin. I didn’t want to ruin the mood with all this heavy talk before the big event. “Nothing.”

“Drew Morgan,” she began sternly, “don’t you dare start lying to me. We have a good thing going. Don’t wreck it.” Then she reached out and grabbed my hand. “I’m not going anywhere. It’s safe to talk to me. That’s what I’m here for.”

I stared down at her hand on mine. I wanted to open up, to hold on, but I feared I wouldn’t be able to let go. She might not have money, but Talia was out of my league. Beautiful, together, driven, she’d never be interested in a guy like me. I’d learned to accept it long ago. “I get accused of wrecking things a lot,” I admitted sadly. “Wouldn’t be the first time.” I laughed weakly.

“It would be the first time with me.” Talia’s head tilted and she studied me in a way that made me squirm. “See, we have a clean slate. I’m your fresh start, the first person you get to hang out with who doesn’t know about your past. You can be who you always wanted to be with me.”

My heart raced at her assessment of the situation. She was right. Even though she knew Ty, even though he’d hired her, she was here for me. I didn’t have a past to overcome, a history to apologize for, a reputation to live down. “This scares the shit out of me.” I could feel my stomach knotting. This was the kind of thing I always used alcohol to avoid.

“I can tell.” She nodded as she squeezed my hand. “Your hand is sweaty. The color has nearly drained from your face, which is saying something considering you literally spent the last ninety days working on your tan.” Talia winked. “I don’t know you, but I know guys like you. You’re a hard case, Morgan. You wouldn’t easily bend and play the game for anyone.”

My eyes narrowed. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you almost admired me.”

She smiled widely. “Oh, I do.” Turning to face me, she continued to explain. “See, I’m a people pleaser. My needs, my wants, my desires come secondary to everyone, and everything, else. I twist myself into a pretzel to avoid conflict. That is my biggest flaw.”

“Sounds like a pretty calm existence. Where’s the downside?” I joked.

“Look around. This, offering my services, is the first time I’ve truly done anything for myself. Hell, I’ve even chosen a career of service.” She shook her head. “Don’t get me wrong, I love being a giver, but it can turn into an empty existence.”

“How so? I bet everyone loves you.” My brows quirked.

“They do.” Talia shrugged. “They love me for what I do for them. I suppose this is a kind of reward, but the reality is I’m like a pitcher of water. I pour out and slake everyone’s thirst, and then there’s nothing left for me and I feel…empty. In order to keep giving, the pitcher must be refilled, but it usually isn’t.” Her cheeks colored at her admission. She smoothed her hair out of her face. “I guess I told you this because I admire your assertiveness.”

I didn’t think; I rarely considered the consequences of my actions. Like I had for much of my life, I operated on impulse. Sometimes this resulted in trouble. At the moment, it was too soon to say which direction this one would go, but a guy could hope, right? Even a guy like me. Lifting her chin with my forefinger, I forced her to look me in the eye. “I think I need you more than I knew. You could be the light to my dark.” I wanted to say more, but my heart was suddenly in my throat. I closed my eyes and pressed my forehead to hers, hoping I’d be able to speak soon, praying the blood rushing in my ears would quiet.

“The yin to your yang?” she whispered.

My eyes flew open and I gazed into hers. “All that and more,” I murmured. Then I glanced at her lips. They were so close. If I just tilted my head slightly, I could press mine to hers. I had to know. Every time we touched, I understood true desire. My mind raced because wasn’t lust the precursor for love? The debate raged inside me. Should I? I kept talking myself out of it: the fear of rejection was great. Then the decision was made for me. Talia angled her head just enough for my mouth to slip in and capture hers.

At first, the closeness, the mere touch, was enough, but then I needed more. I kissed her. I truly kissed her. My hands knotted in her hair while her hands grabbed the back of my neck, and our tongues dueled for position. Yes, I was fighting for my life, fighting for a better future than the one I’d accepted and imagined. This was the kind of woman I could love. While I’d known cold and detached women all my life, starting with my own mother, Talia was like playing with fire. Only I didn’t fear being burned. She warmed me, melted the ice in my veins, and brought me to life. If I had nothing more than this weekend with her, it would never be enough. Yet, just in case, I wanted to make the most of every minute of our time together.

When we finally pulled apart, her eyes were closed. Slowly, they opened and I could read something unexpected in them. Her cheeks flamed and I pressed the back of my hand to them, but now, since she’d thoroughly heated me, my touch brought no relief.

“Wow,” she whispered. Talia sucked in her lower lip and gazed up at me through her dark lashes.

My heart felt like it would burst from my chest, or maybe burst in general. How could I maintain that intensity, that pace without crashing? I leaned heavily against the leather seats. Reaching out, I held her hand in mine. I studied our fingers, the way they looked so natural intertwined. I loved the touch of her skin, even if she had pointed out mine were too soft. I wanted to change everything for her. “I may be updating your wardrobe, but I’m the one who’s becoming a new person.” I shook my head as I stared out the window. We would be at the hotel entirely too soon. While she’d soothed me in some ways, in others, my fear had grown. Talia had become one more thing for me to lose tonight. “So that contract…”

“What about it?” Talia frowned.

“Is it airtight? Do you have to stick it out until I get home?” The wheels were turning in my mind.

“I really do. If I abandon you before you make it back to LA, then I don’t get paid, not even a portion.” She chuckled. “I’m not sure why Ty felt it necessary to write that in there. I’m not exactly known for being flighty or giving up on a whim.”

“No?” My brows rose.

Her lips pursed. “No. I’m a sticker. I stick it out. I suffer through. I try until it kills me.”

“Hey, hey,” I teased. “No one has to die here.”

“And no one will.” She blew out a breath. “I’ve been through it. I know more about addiction than I should, than anyone should, really.”

“I’m sorry.” I squeezed her hand. I meant it. I truly felt badly Talia had ever suffered. She deserved nothing but happiness. I shut my eyes tightly. In admitting that, I’d essentially relinquished the idea of being with her. I wasn’t exactly known for spreading joy.

“It’s okay. These things happen for a reason.” She bit her bottom lip for a second, igniting urges I hadn’t felt in a long time. “While it sounds cliché, I’m beginning to wonder if the reason…was you.”

My lips twitched I felt a lopsided grin spread. “Maybe. Just in case, and because these things take time, you should know I’ve made a decision.”

Talia laughed quietly. “Oh, and what’s that?”

“I’m not going back to LA,” I announced.

Her eyes widened. “The contract…”

This wasn’t the reaction I’d imagined. I thought she might be pleased. I even pictured her beaming and throwing herself into my arms. Instantly, I released her hand and crossed my arms over my body. This felt more familiar, but still unwelcome: rejection at its finest. “Can’t handle being stuck with me, pussy cat?”

She shook her head and swallowed a few times. “It’s not that.”

“No?” I eyed her coldly. She was busy wringing her hands. Her whole being reeked of fear. My stomach sank. “It’s the money.”