Mari watched the interaction between Hank and Simone with growing trepidation. What were they talking about? Why was he holding her in his arms? Had he meant it when he’d told her he was attracted to her? Did that mean anything to him, or was he just playing with her?

A few minutes later he walked Simone to the door and she left without so much as a kiss. Interesting.

Hank was striding out to the art studio. The outdoor lights illuminated his face, and when she saw his flattened lips and clenched jaw, her pulse accelerated. Seconds later he burst through the door, his gaze searching.

With no idea what was going on, she didn’t move, waiting for him to spot her by the window. A moment later, he did, and in just a few steps he was in front of her, his gaze burning into hers.

Had she done something wrong? Frantically searching her memory, she couldn’t recall anything that would have made him angry at her. Wondering if Simone had made something up, she didn’t let her gaze waver from his.

Without warning, he cupped her face in his hands, and as his mouth descended toward hers, she gasped, her pulse skyrocketing. A split second later, his lips claimed hers. Too stunned to react, too disbelieving that he was kissing her, and with such passion, Mari froze, but after several seconds her body took over and her arms wound around his neck as she sank against him.

* * *

Hank hadn’t meant to kiss Mari. He’d meant to come in and tell her there could never be anything between them, that the stakes were too high, that it wasn’t worth it. But when he’d seen her standing there, looking so vulnerable, so sweet and untouched, all of his logic had gone out the window.

Now, as he held her in his arms, his lips devouring hers, her warm body melting against his, he was glad he’d followed his instincts. She fit into his arms perfectly, like she’d been made for him, and as her uniquely Marigold scent surrounded him, he savored this moment, memorizing the feel of her, the taste of her, the sound of the soft moan coming from her throat, everything about her, because as much as he liked this—loved it!—his logical side soon took over and screamed at him that this attraction he had for her wasn’t worth the risk of having his Harper yanked away from him.

After another moment, he released her.

Stepping back, he studied her face.

Eyes wide, she stared right back.

He shouldn’t have kissed her. It was going to make this so much harder. For both of them.

“What’s going on?” she asked when he failed to speak. “Why was Simone here?”

Glad for the opening, he sighed as he shook his head. “She called London.”

Mari’s eyebrows shot up. “What? Why?”

He took her by the hand and led her to the couch tucked along one wall where they sat side by side. Then he laid it all out, told her exactly what Simone had said.

* * *

The power of Hank’s sudden and passionate kiss lingered on Mari’s lips, but as she digested what he was telling her, the lovely sensations she’d felt faded, replaced by worry, and finally, by despair.

“So,” he began, “we need to put aside this attraction. It’s not worth the risk.” Frowning deeply, he added, “I shouldn’t have kissed you. I’m sorry.”

She wasn’t. Not really. Although she could see his point.

“How do you know she actually talked to London?” Mari asked. “She could have just said that to…you know…control you.” Although after the way London had warned Mari the other night, she knew it didn’t really matter whether or not Simone had talked to her. Even if she hadn’t, nothing was stopping Simone from reaching out to London. And if she and Hank pursued this attraction, it would only be a matter of time before it all came crashing down around them, with Harper left in the rubble. That was unacceptable. Harper was the innocent party here. They had to put her needs before their own.

“I don’t know for sure,” he said. “But I’m not willing to take the chance.” His face softened. “Not if it means I lose Harper or Harper loses you. She already lost her last nanny, and I can see how much she adores you.” He shook his head. “We have to be the adults here.” One side of his mouth quirked up. “We can keep this platonic.”

He was right. Of course he was. She just wished there was some other way, because that kiss… It had set her on fire. And she didn’t know if it was a fire she’d be able to quench.

* * *

Was he asking too much? Of both of them? When he saw her each day, when he interacted with her, would he be able to forget that kiss? No. There was no way. Which made him all the more angry at himself. If he’d never kissed her, maybe this wouldn’t be so hard. But it was out there, it had happened. He couldn’t take it back, couldn’t change it. So he needed to turn his mind in another direction, channel his energy another way. To football. That had always been his saving grace. He would work that much harder.

The Vipers had won their first game, but they would have a tough game on Sunday against the Salt Lake City Raptors.

“So,” Mari said. “What now?”

Only a few inches separated them on the couch, and he was tempted, oh so tempted, to pull her onto his lap for another kiss. A final kiss. He even shifted his body, ready to lift her, but he held back. He had to exhibit self-control now. Right now.

“We go on,” he said. “Just like before. You take care of Harper, and I play football and be her father.” He swallowed over the knot in his throat, the one that said he hated being forced to do something he didn’t want to, but that he would do it anyway. “And we move on.” Forcing a laugh, he added, “Soon enough you’ll be going back to LA with Harper, so what would the point have been anyway?”

Mari looked at her lap, then she met his gaze with a smile he could tell was forced. “Right. Exactly. There are lots of other people out there. People who are more appropriate. Right?”

Gritting his teeth, he nodded and grunted his agreement, but the idea of some other man making a move on Mari, holding her, kissing her, made him clench his fists and he wished he was on the field at that very moment. He’d take down whomever was in front of him. Hard.

* * *

Was it so easy for Hank to shut off his feelings, his desire? Because inside, Mari was dying. The beginning of their fledgling relationship had ended before it had ever had a chance to begin. Frustration plowed through her, but she’d made a choice, had decided that she was willing to make this sacrifice for Harper. In the last few weeks Harper had wedged her way right into Mari’s heart, and she would never do anything to hurt her.

Besides, even if she was willing, who was to say there would be a future for her and Hank? Just because they had this initial draw towards each other didn’t mean a relationship between them would last.

It was better this way. They would be friends with a common goal—raising Harper to be healthy and happy. What could be better than that?

“I’ll, uh,” Hank began. “I’ll leave you to your painting.” He stood. “Tomorrow’s my day off, so after I go in for a workout, I’ll come home and have lunch with you and Harper, but then I’ll be studying game film for most of the afternoon.”

“Okay.”

A small smile tugged at his lips. “Good-night.”

“Good-night.”

She watched him leave, then walked over to her easel. She’d lost all desire to paint that night, so she cleaned up, then went to bed, wondering how she was going to stand seeing him everyday without being able to touch him. Especially with the memory of that kiss scorching her soul.