A man’s choked scream wakes me. I sit up in my bed, my heart racing. It’s silent. Did I dream it? I turn over and rest my head on the pillow. My pulse swishes in my ear. There it is again. A garbled cry. Tyler.

Rushing into the living room, I find him on the floor, his eyes wide open staring at the ceiling. He’s thrown the blanket.

“Tyler.” I kneel and reach for him.

“Stay back.” He blocks my progress. His breathing is rapid and shallow, and sweat runs down his forehead, plastering his blond curls to his temples.

“Tyler, I’m here.” I maneuver myself into his field of vision.

Gradually the blank stare gives way to recognition and his breathing slows. His jaw slackens and he whispers, “Kelly.”

His eyes twitch and close. He sucks in several loud breaths, shuddering in between, but he seems calmer.

I brush the hair from his face and kiss his cheek. “Are you okay?”

He doesn’t answer. His chest rises and falls steadily, as if he’s fallen back asleep. Taking a wet paper towel, I wipe the sweat from his face, then blow.

“That feels good,” he murmurs.

“You’re awake?”

He doesn’t answer, but when I pull his hand and tell him to get up, he complies. I lead him to my bed and pull him in with me.

He sighs and relaxes as soon as he hits the mattress. “I need you.”

“Stay here with me.” I rest my head on his chest and he wraps his arms around me. “I don’t want to be alone anymore.”

“Me either.” He kisses the top of my head.

I yawn and close my eyes, lulled by his steady, strong heart. Every thump speaks of another chance, another tomorrow, a future, and maybe, just maybe, a father for Bree.

When I wake, Tyler is already up. He wipes his wet hair with a towel. “I took a shower, I hope it’s okay.”

I allow my eyes to feast on him. It’s more than okay. He’s muscular, but not bulky. Water droplets glisten on his chest, and the tattoo running over his shoulder around his bicep sharpens his sexiness.

I swallow hard and lighten the mood. “Of course. I always bring guys home for a shower.”

He chuckles, pulling on the towel to dry himself. “Did I scare you last night?”

“Come, sit here.” I pat the bed. “You didn’t scare me. You never do.”

“I’m taking my meds, trying to keep everything in control.” His weight lowers the mattress. “I’m really trying.”

“So am I.”

Trying to keep from jumping your bones.

I lower my gaze to his legs. “I’m not a criminal.”

“You’re not. I trust you.” He rubs my shoulder, kneading away the tension.

A flurry of excitement spreads from his firm, strong hands. I almost purr at the sparks arcing between us. I can’t let him know how he affects me. I’m not a weak woman.

Stiffening my back, I give him a push. “You’re only saying that because you have nothing to steal. Try trusting me with the assets of your foundation.”

“I’ll speak to Dylan. He’ll give you a chance.”

“I don’t deserve it. I lied to them.” I swing my legs from the bed. “So, what are we going to do today?”

“Play hooky. Spend the day together, and go to the ball tonight. I’m sure you have a few clothes left.” He lifts his jaw in an arrogant tilt, smirking.

Since when did I agree to go to the ball with him? Get the man a job and suddenly he’s Prince Charming?

“Ever been bankrupt?” I head him off at the pass. “I had Ella clean out my closet before the court ordered inventory. They let you keep a few outfits and an old car, but Ella sold almost everything for Mother’s medical bills.”

Tyler takes my hand and drags me from the bed. “I don’t care if you go to the ball looking like Cinderella. It wasn’t long ago that I wore rags. As it is, I only have one suit.”

“Then we’re a matched pair.” I laugh, picking up his sweatshirt and jeans and shoving them between us.

“So you’ll go with me?”

“I suppose I should. Maybe I can make my own appeal to Dylan and Carina. I did some research. Did you know my friend Rebecca used to run the foundation, and she was the founder’s best friend?”

“Oh, that should go well. Maybe she can speak for you.” He wraps me into his arms and buries a kiss on the side of my neck. “Want breakfast in bed?”

What is he doing tempting me?

My knees wobble and heat swells in the pit of my belly. I close my eyes, but the visual of Tyler with a towel draped around his neck, his fiercely tattooed chest, and hair still dripping from the shower sends crashing waves of heat through my body.

“I want you in bed.” My voice surprises me with its huskiness.

“About time you admitted it. You sure?”

I swallow my drool, ignoring his cockiness, and nod. Holding him last night, I had ample opportunity to explore the planes of his muscles and bones, snuggle on his chest. It’s time to act.

Tyler glides over me, his muscles rippling against my sensitive skin. His mouth crashes over mine, more urgent and possessive than I expect. A moan drags from my throat. My mind blanks. All sensation stops except for everything Tyler: the press of his body, his fresh, wet scent straight from the shower, the pulsing sensations between our lips, the heated touch and currents of desire cresting lower down.

Just as I ease back into the bed, buried under the solid haven of Tyler’s weight, a ringtone jangles from his new smartphone.

Tyler lifts his head, waits, then lowers his lips to my chest. The ringing stops, but starts again a few seconds later.

“It’s probably my work,” Tyler mumbles and backs off the bed. “Be right back.”

He takes the phone to the living room.

I roll onto my tummy, still in a haze of desire, surrounded by his heat. How’d I get so lucky to find a man so honorable, kind, and brave? Sure, he has his issues, but he’s accepted my past and he trusts me. Trusts me with his vulnerability.

Tyler returns with a scowl on his face. “I hate to do this to you, but Carina called. She wants me to change out the speakers’ bios and add inspirational quotes.”

My excitement at spending a day with Tyler flattens like road kill under an eighteen-wheeler. I pull my nightgown to cover my thighs. “Actually I should take Bree ice skating. She’s feeling better, and it’ll be a nice outing for us.”

“You’re still coming to the Donor’s Ball with me this evening?”

“I’ll think on it while I shower.” I throw on a robe and brush by him on my way to the bathroom. The sampling of his taste and touch is enough to start my fantasies flowing. Forget a cold shower, I’m going for a long, hot, and stimulating one. By myself, unfortunately.

When I emerge from the shower, he’s gone.

The faded red rose sits in a crystal bud vase beside a plate of toast and eggs and a glass of orange juice.

The invitation with my name is placed on the chair. I pick it up. He’s scrawled a note: Sorry I have to run. Be mine, Kelly. One night. Tonight. I have needs, too. Tyler.

“I want to ice skate.” Bree holds my hand as we return to my mother’s apartment. “I don’t like the rain.”

“We need rain, honey, for the plants and the trees.”

“What if it’s raining Chwistmas Eve? How’s Santa gonna fly in the rain?”

We step through the door, and I remove her boots. “Santa can fly through a blizzard. A little rain isn’t going to hurt.”

“What about when I play the sheep with baby Jesus? I don’t want sleep on wet hay.”

“You’ll be snuggly warm in your costume, and there’s no rain on the stage.”

“But if it rains, the stable might leak.”

I give her a kiss and take off her jacket. “How about I make you a cup of hot cocoa?”

Ella holds her arms wide for a hug. “Bree, don’t be such a little worrywart like your mother. Everything’s great. Wanna dress up?”

“Yay!” Bree claps her hands. “Can I be a fairy princess?”

Together, Ella and Bree skip toward Mother’s closet.

“Guess she’s forgotten all about the skating.” Mama helps me off with my coat and hangs it. “Tyler dropped by at lunchtime. Why aren’t you picking up his calls?”

“It’s too much pressure.” I lower my face. “He wants me to try and get that job again. I lied on the application. There’s no way they’ll hire me.”

“Then go as his guest and don’t think about it. Did you call Rebecca and ask her to put in a good word for you?”

“I did. She thinks I shouldn’t waste my time with Warspring. Since she’s no longer at Mogul Bank, she said I can pass tips I hear in the hallways to her.”

“But, that’s illegal.”

“I know. I turned her down. She got upset and asked if I was going to work for the government as a snitch. What should I do? Should I work in enforcement? They’ll pay me well, although nothing close to banker salaries.”

“It’s up to you.” Mother rubs the back of my neck. “You’re stressed and tensed. Too busy worrying about the future to enjoy the present. You’ve got a decent, hunk of a man interested in you. Let’s go through the closet and see what dresses Ella saved for you, and get you ready for the ball.”

I turn around and kiss her cheek. “Thanks, fairy godmother. You’re right.”

“Text him right now. Tell him you’ll be ready in an hour, no make that two.”

“Will he still want me to attend?”

“Stop worrying,” Mother says, then calls, “Ella, Bree, we’re going to dress Cinder-Kelly up for the ball with Prince Charming.”

“Yay,” Ella and Bree squeal in unison and crowd around me.

Mother twirls her index finger like a wand. “One glass slipper coming up.”