Aaron offered to spend the night but Marissa refused. Hell, it had probably been just a critter that knocked over the flower pot, a cat or dog or possum. Who knew? Now that her nerves had calmed down she refused to act like a coward.

She didn’t sleep well that night, however. She tossed and turned and listened for imaginary noises. Larry picked up on her restlessness and roamed across the floors all through the night. Marissa lay in her lonely bed, thinking of how nice it would be to have Aaron there. Damn, she was just being stubborn and it seemed like she was cutting off her nose to spite her face. But it was something she felt she had to do.

Morning finally arrived and Marissa rose and showered. She blew her hair dry and dressed in a pair of ivory jeans and a camel-colored shirt to wear to Jane’s Place. It’s not that she looked forward to spending time with the melancholy Harrison. It’s just that she wanted to go and get it over with and come home and start working on her house again.

As she drove to the little breakfast restaurant, Marissa thought about Harrison. She did feel sorry for him. She knew he was in a tough position. And he was lonely. She knew he was, especially now that the main person in his life had died. She wanted to help him, she really did, but her life was already so busy with her house flipping business, her real estate career, and, she had a feeling, a new man in her life, she just didn’t have much time to give to him.

Harrison was already at the café, seated at a booth in the back corner. Marissa slid in across from him and greeted him with a warm smile. He smiled coolly and gripped her hand. “I’m so glad you came,” he told her. “ I was afraid you wouldn’t.”

“Why would you think that, Harrison? I would have least called to let you know if something had come up.”

“I don’t know. I just had the feeling I would be stood up. It wouldn’t be the first time.” He cast his pale blue gaze toward the table. “I’m used to it.”

“Well, I’m not that kind of girl.” She grinned, trying to soften his mood. He seemed even bluer than usual. “So, do you want breakfast or just coffee?”

“Oh, let’s compromise. Let’s have coffee and one of their famous pastries.” Harrison rubbed his hands together in anticipation of the treat. He did love to eat.

“Okay. I think I’ll have the berry bran muffin. How about you?”

“Oh, I want the chocolate fudge cream cheese Danish,” he responded quickly. “It sounds heavenly.”

Somehow , she wasn’t surprised he ordered one of the most calorie-laden pastr ies y on the menu. But, hey, who was she to blame him for taking pleasure where he found it. To each their own.

“I really am glad you’re here.” Harrison suddenly became more animated. “I wanted to thank you again for all you’ve done for me this past week. You’ve always been a friend but now I know just what a special friend you are.”

Marissa didn’t know why but his words combined with the smile on his face made her feel uncomfortable. He suddenly shot her a glance out from under his eyelids, eyeing her strangely. For some reason, she felt the need to get away from him.

That was silly, of course. She’d known Harrison for years, been working with him for over half a decade. She had no idea why she suddenly felt uncomfortable around him.

“Don’t be silly, Harrison. You’ve always been my friend.” She smiled and took a sip of the bracing coffee the waitress had poured for her, trying not to let her discomfort show. “And so are the other realtors at Hart Homes.”

He leaned forward earnestly as he spoke, his hand clamping down on hers where it lay on the tabletop. She squirmed, feeling the dampness of his palm where it pressed against her flesh. She couldn’t deny the urge to pull her hand away but somehow she resisted.

“Oh, look, here comes our food,” she noted with relief. Hell, he’d have to let go of her hand in order to eat. She immediately started munching on her muffin and watched him dig into his pastry with enthusiasm.

They ate their food and finished their coffee then Marissa started murmuring about getting back home. Harrison objected but Marissa insisted. She really wasn’t comfortable with Harrison’s company and she wanted to get back and see if Aaron came around. She missed him, she admitted to herself. But she wasn’t about to tell him that.

“Well, I really am trying to get the house finished up and I need to get back to work on it. I hope you’ll forgive me for eating and running but I need to go.” Marissa dabbed at her lips with her napkin and reached for her clutch.

Harrison reached out and took her hand to stop her. “Marissa, again, thank you. I’ll never forget what you’ve done to me. I want you to know that.”

Done to him? He must have misspoken. He meant what she had done for him…. . hadn’t he?

“ Thank you, Harrison. I’ll see you at the office tomorrow, okay?” Marissa moved quickly to pull her hand away and walk ed across the room and out the door. She didn’t look back to see Harrison staring after, an obsessed look on his face.

Marissa got home and tried to focus on the third bedroom again, but a restlessness set in. She called her mom and talked to her e for a while, then dialed Chloe and surprised herself by confessing that she had had a change of heart concerning Aaron. Chloe gasped then laughed with delight.

“I knew you two were perfect for each other . That was obvious the night we were at the bar. I’m so happy. Now I’ve got something to confess.”

“Come on , then, girl. Don’t keep me in suspense.”

“Marcus asked me out.”

“Seriously? Wow, my brother is coming to his senses.”

“Slowly, Marissa, slowly.”

“Hey, it’s better than not at all, right?”

“Well, I guess you’re right about that,” Chloe chuckled.

“I’m glad. Oh, hey, someone’s at the door. I’ll let you go.”

“Okay, talk soon.”

Marissa disconnected and headed to the front door. When she opened it she found Aaron standing there his arms loaded with Chinese takeout.

“You called for delivery?”

“No, but I’ll take it. It looks too good to resist.” She ran her gaze up and down his muscular body suggestively.

Aaron laughed and came in. The two of them sat and ate on the back porch, munching on moo goo gai pan, watching the sun slide down beyond the clouds. Their talk was natural, easy. Marissa sat in a chair, Indian style, her long, tan legs bare beneath her white cutoffs. Larry lay nearby, alongside Aaron’s dog Mo, and a feeling of peace overwhelmed her. She felt more relaxed than she had in weeks.

“Thanks, Aaron. You’ve made me feel so comfortable, so relaxed.” She spoke over a lump in her throat. She really did feel refreshed, invigorated.

“I feel the same, Marissa. You’re like a breath of fresh air.”

Marissa acquiesced to his hungry demands, laying back and holding his face in her hands. “Aaron, Aaron, you are delicious.”

He moaned and drove his tongue into her ear, circling the tiny shell. She matched his moan and ran her hands down the muscular length of his neck. She ravaged his lips, feeling the scrape of his whisker-coated skin. It felt so good to be held, skin against skin, flesh against flesh.

When he drove his rod into her she shouted with pleasure, accepting him completely, reveling in the feeling of togetherness. She rode the wave of emotion, clenching and unclenching the length of him.

Aaron smothered her face with kisses, covering her eyelids, the tip of her nose, and the curve of her chin. He couldn’t get enough of her, lavishing her body with adoration. She matched his passion, seething with sensations, the interaction so intense she was left shaken to the core.

When she lay on the new granite countertop and felt him inside her, she felt like singing. This was the ultimate experience, the fulfillment she’d been seeking. She couldn’t imagine feeling better. She didn’t want the moment to end.

When he finally raised his head and smiled at her, her heart melted.

“You are precious to me,” he whispered in her ear.

“As you are,” she agreed.

“Shall we move this meeting to the bedroom?” he asked quietly.

“I’d like that,” she agreed.

“That can be arranged,” he murmured, then swept her up in his arms and carried her to the staircase.