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you think I got enough sleep?”
    He was the only person in the world that she felt like she could be herself around.
    “I think you need more. Maybe you should go back to bed.”
    “Only if you come with me.”  
    She couldn’t believe that popped out of her mouth. Did they have support groups for sex-starved writers? Elizabeth didn’t know, but she wasn’t sure she would ever be able to get enough of Zach. Once was not going to be enough for her.
    She watched with interest as he prowled around the overstuffed couch toward her. “I have work to do.”  
    “What kind of work?”  
    “Jesse and I have a client to meet today at noon. I want you here, where I know you’re safe, and I want you to rest.”
    “I’d rather we both went back to bed.”
    Instead of answering her, Zach leaned in close and gave her a long, slow kiss that curled her toes.
    “Good morning, Beth.”
    “Good morning, Zach.”
    It shouldn’t be legal what the man did to her. Used to being an independent person, Zach’s kisses made her a slave to his taste.
    “I need to shower and get ready for the meeting. I’ll make you something for breakfast before I go.”
    Elizabeth stood there only half-hearing what he said. She hated that he was so composed, while she felt out of control about last night. Just once, she would like to catch him off-guard and crack that composure.  
    “No, I’m fine. Go get ready and I’ll fix a small breakfast for myself. I’ve been taking care of myself for a while now. What’s in the locked room?”
    “Some dream I used to have.” He shrugged and didn’t say anything more.
    Elizabeth tried to gave him a shove. He didn’t even budge, merely lifted an eyebrow. He knew how much she hated secrets. And locked doors. Hated even more being told how to feel or act. And even if this was his house, it pissed her off.
    She didn’t have experience sharing space with men, but she knew Zach. It wouldn’t be his intent to make her angry. And sex didn’t need to change everything. She didn’t want to lose her best friend over her childhood issues.
    Taking a deep breath, she smiled and let go of her issues. At least for a moment.

    ***

    The stubborn tilt to Beth’s chin wasn’t the only evidence of the temper lurking underneath the stillness. Fire flashed in her eyes when she’d tried to shove him. Planting a quick kiss to her pert nose, he left her fuming in the hall and went to take a shower.
    A cold shower.
    Zach wasn’t a fool, but he’d made a tactical error in giving in to her and his own raging lust. When he was younger, he’d wanted everything from Beth, not just her body. He’d wanted her mind, her soul, and her heart. He’d left when it was clear she wasn’t willing to even entertain his marriage proposal. She’d hurt him by turning him down.
    Now that she was here, he was having a hard time keeping things light. Especially after last night.
    The primitive caveman that lurked inside of him smiled when he’d woken up with her in his arms. It demanded that he keep his woman, no matter what she had to say about it. The more enlightened side knew he was going to have to battle her history to win her.  
    Not to mention whoever was stalking her now.
    And just like that, he was in over his head. Again. One night with her, that’s what he’d told himself. Granted, it was a night he’d fantasized about for most of his adult life. But that was all it took to make him realize that he’d never really gotten over her. Never completely hardened his heart against her.
    Shit , he still loved her.
    He didn’t shy away from the truth. And it didn’t matter that so much time had passed. And he knew why he’d never taken any other women seriously. Beth was his whole heart; there just wasn’t room for anyone else. Never would be.
    He finished his shower and dried off, berating himself for letting himself get distracted. Today was about the job, but his gaze strayed to the bed.
    Beth had been incredibly