“Rick, what’s going on here?” Leigh struggled to hold onto her focus. Trapped by the intensity of his dark eyes, she half-feared she might get pulled into their depths and never return. She took a deep, stuttering breath.

He released one of her hands to cup her nape. His words were quiet, but if anything, they were all the more powerful for their lack of volume. “Addie and I are waging war. We’ve decided what we want, and we’re not stopping until we get it. We want you.”

A stiff breeze could have knocked her over. A part of her had wondered, maybe even suspected, that the two of them might be working toward that end, but she hadn’t expected Rick to be so direct. So very blunt.

But then again, the one thing he wasn’t? A game player.

Releasing her, he drew her to the patio door and opened it. Torn, needing space, she walked out and away from him.

We want you. And there was no mistaking his meaning. He said we not I or even she, indicating Addie. Warring emotions burst to life inside her. Yearning. Curiosity. Fear. She didn’t know what to feel, what to focus on.

She stopped at the edge of the cobblestone patio. She leaned against a stone pillar and crossed her arms over her chest. Resting her head against the column, she stared at the perfectly manicured lawn. The view spread out before her, storybook beautiful even in its loneliness. Day darkened, working its way toward night in a dazzling display of color.

He whispered close. “Be right back.”

Nodding absently, she focused on an enormous, solitary tree in the center of a fenced pasture. Ancient and timeless, it would have withstood countless seasons and landscape changes as the farm evolved over the decades. It seemed lonely and somehow that only made her feel smaller, sadder.

Why had Rick changed his mind? What did it mean? After his denial, she’d convinced herself that they, or the relationship that had never been given an honest chance, couldn’t be. The loss had hurt a great deal, so much so that the dull ache beneath her breastbone hadn’t faded.

Now he’d changed his mind? Just like that?

She couldn’t deny the prospect held enough temptation to lure a nun to sin, but what if he changed his mind again? The first loss had hurt enough to last a lifetime. She wasn’t ready to sign on for another round of heartache.

Is Rick really offering what I think he is? The door behind her opened and closed, but lost in the tempest of her thoughts, she focused on the sunset. She couldn’t afford to forget that it wasn’t only her heart on the line. She might not know how they would get there, but she knew she wasn’t giving up until Addie was permanently hers. That meant that any major decisions she made would also impact the girl who she hoped would become her foster daughter. She refused to screw that up.

He’d talked as if he and Addie had planned this…whatever it was, together.

Spinning, she found Rick behind her, basket in hand. “You can’t get her hopes up.” Determined that he would see reason and put a stop to this game, she continued. She pointed her finger at him. “She’s been through so much already. It’s not right to draw her into some silly plan that doesn’t have a chance of coming together. I won’t have her hurt.” Guilt stabbed her. She knew the last sentence was harsh, but she had to be strong for Addie.

Yet she knew that Rick would never in a million years intentionally hurt the girl he’d done so much for. He’d been the one beside her every step of the way when they’d searched for their girl. They’d worried and feared and hoped together.

They’d shared a lifetime of ups and downs in one season. “I’m sorry. I know you wouldn’t hurt her. I have to keep her in mind for every decision I make. I don’t want her to think she can have something that’s impossible.”

“Why is it impossible?”

“You and I? Together?”

He didn’t respond, just waited.

Throwing her hands up, she released all her pent-up frustration. “Do I have to remind you that you shut me down? I heard you tell Trent that you thought I was the most beautiful woman you’d ever seen. You said I reminded you of an angel. Don’t deny it. Those words burned themselves into my memory. I decided right then and there that I was declaring war on you.” Poking his chest, she continued. “I would keep at you, battering at your hardhead until it broke.”

He placed a single finger over her lips, cutting off her tirade. “You did break me.” The solemn sincerity in his words maddened her.

She said his name against his finger. “Rick. You broke your promise.”

Again, he took her hand in his and led her toward the nearest barn. “You’re right. I did. Let’s take this somewhere private. Addie means well tonight, but I don’t want her eavesdropping and getting her hopes dashed before I’ve even begun.”

Begun? He hasn’t even started? Oh hell. She didn’t have the kind of fortitude needed to withstand a Rick Evans assault. She wasn’t sure Fort Knox did. This isn’t the way this is supposed to go!

They walked hand in hand through the silent dusk. Reeling, she let him lead as she hoped with everything she had that she could survive the evening. Half of her wanted to run as fast and as far as she could go.

Her other half was desperate to explore the dangerous territory of their prior conversation.

I can’t run away. I promised to be there for Addie.

Either one of them was a force to be reckoned with, but when they teamed up? She was well and truly screwed. Why hadn’t she left him alone, letting him rot in his sulky funk? Shouldn’t she have?

Possibly, but she never would have been able to live with herself.

Somehow, despite her inner riot of emotions, the walk over a corner of his property to one of the barns settled her nerves. The storybook scenery made her feel for a few moments that dreams could come true.

He stopped just outside the barn and facing her, took her free hand in his. He wove their fingers together. “I owe you an enormous apology. I was a complete bastard when I left you behind that morning. I knew it would hurt you.”

“It did, very much so.”

“I told myself that it was for your protection, but that was a lie. I used it to drive an even bigger wedge between us. It was a chicken shit thing to do. I’m sorry.”

“Rick, I—”

“I don’t expect you to accept my apology that quickly, if at all. It’s not something a few nice words can easily mend. I just wanted you to know that I regret hurting you. Come on. Let’s eat.”

They walked inside and she stopped. Beneath the lofty ceiling sat the smaller farm table she’d ordered for his breakfast nook. In its center sat five mismatched candles.

Without a word, he seated her in one of the two empty chairs. He opened the basket and pulled out an assortment of random food. Grapes, berries, cheese, crackers, wrapped sandwiches, fruit snacks and beef jerky.

She burst into laughter. “I’m guessing Addie helped pack dinner.”

Trying unsuccessfully to hide a grin, he pretended to be offended at her assumption. “What makes you say that? Maybe I planned this entire menu myself?”

“So fruit snacks and dehydrated meat with enough salt to kill an elephant are a part of your grand plan? Your seduction skills know no bounds.” Damn, the laughter felt wonderful. She let herself fall into the happiness for a moment. Joy had been too far scarce over the past few months. From Kate’s drama, to her brother’s and hers. They’d all been put through the wringer.

He handed her a linen napkin and filled her wine glass. “She said you loved them. I believed her…a little bit.”

“Well, that’s not exactly what I said, but we’ll go with it. I’m honored she shared some of her precious snacks with me.”

“You should be. She also packed dessert.” He removed a storage container. Pulling off the lid, he revealed four sloppily decorated cupcakes. Two of them had been under filled with batter and were too short. Another had cake bulging out and down over the sides of the wrapper. One was just right. Chocolate icing was smeared everywhere.

She blinked. “Did she make the frosting herself?”

He set two cupcakes on a paper napkin beside her plate. Then he lit the candles and sat down. “She said she used your recipe.”

She blinked again, feeling silly that something as simple as homemade cupcakes and the knowledge that Addie had tried to use the things she’d taught her threatened to make her weepy.

A little lost and off-balance, she took a piece of fruit and savored the sweetness. When Rick burst into choked laughter, she paused. Damn, he’s got a great laugh. Is there anything he can’t do? “What’s so funny?”

He set a stack of napkins on the table between them. Then he pulled one off the top and handed it to her. On it someone had drawn a man with enormous, adorable, cartoon, puppy dog eyes. The man in the drawing held a scraggly bouquet of flowers, offering them to a princess sitting on a toadstool. The princess had long flowing hair, wore jeans and tall pointed cap with a long ribbon waving in the invisible breeze.

Unable to help herself, she joined him in his laughter. “Oh, boy. Where did she get this idea?”

When Rick appeared uncertain, she paused. She’d never seen him so…speechless. “What is it?”

He appeared to give up some sort of internal battle before replying. “She told me that’s the face I make when you’re not looking. She told me I get googly-puppy-eyed when you’re near.”

“Oh. Rick…” What could she say to that?

He nodded to their meal. “Eat. Enjoy our gourmet feast.”

Then she enjoyed their dinner. Rick gave her a break from heavy conversation, treating her to an odd, but somehow comforting meal. She hadn’t realized what a toll the tediousness of past few weeks had taken.

By the time full darkness arrived outside and the candles shrunk to half their former size, they’d finished eating and discussing their hopes for Addie. There were so many issues to tackle. Legal issues. School. Socialization with kids her own age. Art lessons.

Whether it was the wine, the setting, or the company, her desire to run away faded. But no matter how relaxed she’d become or how hard she tried, the questions refused to hide. They demanded attention and answers.

It wasn’t like her to avoid challenges simply because they might be difficult. Or at least, it didn’t used to be like her. She’d learned the hard way that it was better to tackle any obstacle head-on and knock it out of her path—that way, she could move onto the next. Then she wouldn't have to waste time or headspace worrying about whatever current dilemma plagued her.

This? Rick’s about face? Either way, it came with an equal chance that it might devastate her. Without him, she knew that she might never be whole. She could be a good mother to Addie, no matter what. But she might never be truly happy. She didn’t want to spend the rest of her life a hollow shell.

What if she accepted Rick’s change of heart and gave in? It could very well shatter her if things didn’t work out. Which would be worse? Living her life in a drab, cold world devoid of love or experiencing it briefly and losing it? Which would be the better example to set for Addie? What did she want for Addie? Or her niece, Kylie? What would she tell Kate to do?

She’d want them to reach for the stars. Never rest until their hearts burst from happiness. Never ever settle for less than what they deserved. She knew what she had to do. The knowledge settled her jitters. By no means were they gone, but she was better for having made her choice.

Heaven help me.

Taking the bull by the horns, she stood and held out her hand. His dark eyes met hers full of barely banked curiosity. “Come on, rich boy. Show me around.” Without hesitation, he stood and took her hand.

“Yes, ma’am.” His grip sure and strong, he led her out of the barn.

“Tell me all about your grand plan.”

“Which one? Work? Addie? Or...”

“All of them. Aren’t they intertwined?”

He stopped and faced her. “Very much so.”

Unable to resist, she poked him in the chest. “Then start there.”

“Okay. If it’s all so simple, then. Sure.” Then he did. With the bright moon lighting their way, they strolled through the night. They held hands as they walked around three of the barns. Even as he downplayed the genius of it all, his vision stunned her.

Then she laughed. “You forgot one thing.”

“I did?” Shocked, he turned to her.

“Yes. Sleep. You’ll need to sleep, like maybe once a week. You might want to squeeze that in there somewhere.” They’d made their way back to the patio, where their night began.

His wry grin made her heart flutter. “Maybe. I’ll make a note of it.”

“Be sure that you do.” Unexpected, her next words slipped out, her tone lighthearted, but her words held deeper meaning. “You’ll need a keeper.” She hadn’t intended to just throw her decision out there so blithely, but there it was. She leaned against her post, but this time she focused on him instead of the tree.

He was her tree, her future. When the truth of it settled inside her, it bloomed to life, vivid and real.

“Leigh. If I’m going to do this, if I have someone important in my life, she needs to be someone who understands why each part of my life is there and its importance. No single part is more vital than another.” He cupped her jaw. “I can’t think of any woman who fits that role better than you. I don’t know that I can do it all alone.”

“You could, I know it, but you shouldn’t have to.”

Palming her waist, he pulled her close. He touched his forehead to hers then, as if fighting some internal battle, he tilted his head and brushed his cheek against hers. She put her hands on his shoulders. Hands rubbed up her sides and down. His heavy sigh signaled he’d come to a decision.

She wished she knew what thoughts tormented him. His breath sighed over her mouth as he brushed his forehead over hers. Tightly sealing his lips, he closed his eyes. Coiled tension vibrated through the muscles of his chest.

Then the obvious conclusion finally hit her. He wanted her and fought against his desire. Part of him demanded he behave like a gentleman while the other half battled for what it wanted. Craved.

He needed her.

She was more than happy to help him with that problem.

Taking his face in her hands, she crushed her mouth to his. His hold on her waist tightened into a hard, desperate, branding grip. She loved it.

* * *

Fuck me, she’s sweet.

The power of Leigh’s honeyed mouth could bring him to his knees. The urge to lift her, wrap her legs around his waist and take her against the wall beat at him. The promise he’d made himself at the evening’s start held him back, but when her slender fingers tangled in the material of his shirt, his will crumpled like a paper cup.

Tearing his mouth from hers, he drew on his last vapors of resolve. “Leigh, sweetheart. Stop.”

She licked up the column of his throat. He felt her throaty, sexy reply deep in his balls. “Stop? Why?”

“I…I’m not sure I can control myself if you don’t stop. I’m trying to be patient. Understanding.” As he stared into her lovely eyes, something tugged his shirt free from his pants.

She’s going to be the death of me.

Trapped by the beauty of her gaze, he couldn’t move. A fingernail scraped over the skin of his lower abdomen. She leaned in closer and whispered into his ear, “You mean act like a responsible adult male?”

“Yeah. That.” He swallowed and closed his eyes. The tugging at his shirt continued, gradually rising as she undid the buttons.

“Why would you want to do something like that?” She nipped his earlobe.

Why? Why what? He couldn’t remember his own name, let alone follow a conversation with her devious fingers and mouth wreaking havoc with his senses. His libido fought to break free of the cage he’d forced it into.

Lust fueled the fire in his blood. “Leigh. You can’t touch me. I want you too badly. I’m trying to not be an asshole.” He prayed she saw reason and put an end to his torture.

Another nip at his ear. His shirt fell open. Two fingers walked down from one pectoral muscle.

“What if I want you just as badly?”

The air in his chest fled in one sudden rush. She wouldn’t tease him. Even as he knew that as truth, as desperate as he was, he couldn’t help but cringe at the thought. His one word response was more growling, hungry animal than human. “Leigh…”

She met his rabid beast with a sweet, sensual siren. “Rick.”

He couldn’t take it any longer. “Come on.” He took her hand, intertwined their fingers and drew her around and back into the night.

She laughed even as her long legs struggled to keep up.

“I don’t see what’s so funny.” Impatient, he glared over his shoulder. He chanced another glance, half-afraid his surliness might turn her off or worse, scare her away.

Her smile, brighter than the moon, lit up the night. “You’re about to seal the deal. What’s made you so mean?”

“My house is too fucking big. Who the hell wants to walk a mile to get to the guest wing?” They came to the smaller patio that backed up to three of his guest bedrooms in the wing opposite the one where they had their rooms. The mood he was in, he couldn’t trust himself to be quiet.

And if Leigh remained quiet, then he’d didn’t know what the hell he was doing.

He pulled his phone from his pocket and accessed his security system. Praying he chose the room he’d had furnished in case a team member needed a place to rest, he used the custom-made app to unlock the closest door. He listened for the quiet whir signaling the lock disengaged. It was a wonder he didn’t break the handle as he pushed it open.

Leigh, right on his heels, followed. He wrapped one arm around her waist, pulled her against him then slammed the door.

Her hands tangled in his hair. Their mouths met in a fiery kiss. Lips merged, tongues flirted, danced. When her fingernails scraped the flesh just below his navel, he groaned. Her tongue swirled with his and his already swollen cock hardened.

His hands slid from her hips, back to palm the curves of her ass. Pulling her softness flush against his body, he tore his mouth free and swore.

Angry at the delay, but needing more, he broke away. “Too many layers. Clothes off.” Desperate to feel the heat of her flesh against his, he yanked his shirt free. One loud thud sounded, echoing in the near empty room, as one shoe hit the ground. The second one followed as he pried it free with his other foot. Wanting to see everything, he impatiently flipped on a single light switch, filling the room with a soft glow. Far from fully furnished, the room held the one item he needed most. A mattress and box springs waited in the middle of the room. Good enough.

He fumbled with his belt, racing to get free. Eager, hungry, he pulled down his pants and underwear and sat on the mattress. He pulled everything free all in one go.

Looking up, he found Leigh, unbuttoning her blouse, a wicked smile lighting her face. Impatient, afraid to blink, he watched, torn.

Did he rip the clothes from her body, revealing the beauty hidden beneath, or wait and watch, rapt as she uncovered a little piece of heaven at a time? Either way, he’d die a happy man. Somehow, impossibly, his cock tightened further at thought of sinking into her delicious body, driving into her slick heat.

Oh shit, no. A sudden chilling thought threw cold water onto his lust driven dream.

“Damn it. Leigh, I don't have any protection with me. I didn’t plan on things going this far. Never imagined that I’d be so fortunate. I’m sorry I’m not better prepared.”

Her features softened. “I’m on the pill. Long story, but I’m protected.” The siren appeared, all sex and sin. “As long as you’re clean, you get a green light.”

He nearly swallowed his tongue.

“Uh. Yeah. I’m good. I mean, I’m clean. Actually, it’s been a long time for me. Too damn busy.”

“Then do your worst, big boy.”

“Sweetheart, be careful what you ask for.” His joy broke free and he grinned.

She finally, finally, dropped her blouse to the floor, revealing a lacy bra. He barely had time to appreciate it before the lace followed, landing on the blouse. Fire flashed in his blood.

Standing, unable to wait any longer, he hooked his hands in the waistband of her skirt. “Lose it or it won’t survive another two seconds.”

“It just slides down. Go ahead.”

So, he did. Sliding his hands over her ass, he pushed the skirt over her slender curves until it met the tangle of clothes on the floor.

He stepped back to admire the view. She stood before him in nothing but a tiny scrap of lace, utterly gorgeous. His heart jumped and lodged in his throat.

She hooked her thumbs in the sides of her panties, shimmied, then removed them.

He drew in a single, slow, deep breath. “Come here.” He crooked his finger. He’d never had such dominant, overbearing tendencies in the bedroom before, but with Leigh, he couldn’t stop himself.

Something about her—her beauty, the sweetness coupled with sass—made him lose all sense of fairness. Forget chivalry, she turned him into a testosterone driven, starving caveman.

She answered his call and moved into his space. He might call the shots, but she had him eating out of the palm of her hand. Unable to wait a moment longer, he cupped her nape and crushed his mouth to hers. Eager, hungry, she matched his lust. Knowing that she craved him as much as he needed her only added fuel to the fire raging through his blood.

Hands caressed, mouths danced, breaths merged until every cell in his body came alive, yearning for Leigh. A contagious, ravenous desire consumed them.

Finally, able to do something he’d dreamt about for months, he lifted her by the hips and wrapped her legs around his waist. When the heat of her wet sex touched his abdomen, he swore. His cocked bucked. A precious burden he’d never grow tired of, he savored the weight of her in his arms.

He tumbled them to their sides on the mattress. In a mindless euphoric haze, they gave to and took from each other. Desperate, he moved down her body, reveling in the beauty of her honeyed flesh. He stopped at her breasts. He latched onto one beaded nipple and sucked the tight tip deeper into his mouth. Lavishing attention to the soft mounds, he wanted to gauge her every response but every sigh and moan fractured his focus. When he drew deeply on the hard, silken peak, she whimpered and bucked her hips.

With urgent, demanding, desire riding him, he cursed. There wasn’t enough time in the world to explore and worship her the way she deserved.

He hooked one long leg over his arm and admired the sexy, hungry angel waiting beneath him. With his other hand, he found her wet, slick and ready. He notched the head of his cock into her heat. The last straw, her fingernails dug tightly into his shoulders urging him on. On a slow, sure plunge, he moved. Hot, slick, bliss gloved him.

A wicked grin spread across her face as she tangled the fingers of one hand in the hair at his nape. Do your worst, big boy. Fucking hell.

So be it.

Holding the smooth flesh of her ass in one palm, he slid out, the torture a delicious rasp over his hypersensitive cock. He returned her suggestive grin with his own. He readied to thrust again, but paused, caught by the beauty of her green eyes. “Leigh. I don’t have the words.” How did he define something so deep that it defied explanation?

She cupped his jaw. “We don’t need words.” Then she kissed him silly. They waged a mad, passionate battle, dueling until neither of them could breathe. He tore his mouth from hers, gulped for air, then slammed home.

Holding her in place, fucking into her, he drove them both to the edge of madness. Her short breaths came in faster pants. Her grin morphed into a mask of ecstasy as she arched, stretching her torso, unconsciously putting her gorgeous breasts on display. They bobbed with each hard slam. Fingers tightened on his shoulder and at the hair at his nape.

Rocking into her again and again, the rasping burn of pleasure maddened him, obliterating his composure. He pounded into her heat, watched the soft beauty of her eyes, and finally knew the meaning of home.

Her body tightened its hold on him. “Come on, baby. Give it to me,” he whispered. “Let me have it.”

She wrapped her other leg around his waist and held him closer. Breathing into each other, absorbing each other, they crested ever higher. Leigh’s ragged breath hitched and her spine bowed as she cried out her release. Her body clenched his, squeezing, holding, giving him impossibly more pleasure than he’d given hers. Light exploded behind his eyes. Leigh’s body milked him dry and filled with him ecstasy. Gasping, shuddering, they clutched each other and rode out the storm of passion.

Using the last of his strength, he rolled onto his back. She rested her head on his chest and heaved a content sigh. He smoothed a damp tendril of hair from her temple and kissed the smooth skin.

She returned his gesture by kissing his sternum, right above his thudding heart. Her quiet words stole his breath and sealed his fate. “I feel as though I’ve waited my entire life for this.”

“Me too.” He grasped her jaw and tilted her chin until she faced him. He stared into the spring green light of her eyes. “Me too, Leigh. All my life.” Then he went about stealing the breath she’d barely begun to recover.