Campbell stepped inside, his gaze sweeping over her—a lingering, fiery once-over. He paused at her new haircut, his hands flexing at his sides. His eyes darkened, his lips pressing into a firm line.
His golden eyes saidyes.His lips saidno.
As they stared, sensual memories ricocheted between them, flash vignettes that had spent all week igniting her body.
A deep voice over a crackling phone line, urging her to let go. Desire scorching a molten path from the Rise to her studio as she obeyed. Making a sandwich on the same counter he’d set her on before slipping inside. Mopping a floor he’d inched her across with urgent thrusts. Waking in a bed he’d occupied, their bodies tangled, then spent. His scent, impossibly, still clinging to the sheets.
Emptiness filled her when she realized he wasn’t there.
Would never be there.
Fontana’s lips parted, ready to argue. She couldn’t possibly stay with him after?—
“Don’t even,” he warned, moving past her into the studio. His gaze landed on the counter in question, and an exhalationrushed from him. She watched him check the impulse to look back, his shoulders stiffening.
“Kit, blow out the wax blaze in there,” he added, raking a hand through his hair, where it flopped to his brow in a damp slump—somehow managing to look effortlessly, maddeningly sexy.
How typical of Campbell True.
“Did I ask for your help?” she whispered, frowning despite the satisfaction of having it.
“It’s freezing in here. Insulated, this place is not. Your landlord should check that out,” he said with a grin, then went to help Kit extinguish candles.
She heard them laughing, the sound of boys being sarcastic and silly, making light of everything. It warmed her heart to witness their blossoming relationship, even as she understood that a stronger bond meant they’d be leaving her that much sooner.
Kit raced back into the kitchen, holding her coat, which he thrust at her with no expectation of an argument. Campbell followed, clutching a Beech Mountain ski cap Jaime had left behind.
She jammed her arms into the sleeves, fuming.Of all the…
Of course, it was freezing, and there was plenty of room at the Rise, but?—
“Stop thinking,” Campbell said, tugging the ski cap onto her head. Stepping back, he scrutinized, then leaned in to adjust the fit, his fingers grazing her cheek, sending a streak of unadulteratedwantthrough her.
Fontana raised a brow, tapping her boot in time with a heartbeat racing from either irritation or yearning, she wasn’t sure which. Her mind was too tangled up in him to form a scathing reply.
He flashed the barest smile, gave a weak shrug, dimplesflickering to life. “To protect that dangerous haircut from the rain.”
“But—”
“You have nightmares; I’m an insomniac. The picture-perfect, friendly sleepover.”
“But—”
“I have extra toothbrushes if dental care is what you’re worried about.”
“You know that’s not?—”
“Please.”
She halted, literally rocking back on her heels. He was asking.Not demanding. Not expecting blind adherence. She searched those incredible eyes for any hint of pretense but found only amusement—and something deeper.
An emotion she was scared to define.
“Not that I sleep well, but I won’t at all, worrying about you over here without heat, without power.” He swiped his fingers across his heart. “Scout’s honor, no ulterior motive.”
She laughed, more like a snort.Charming, Fontana. “You? A Boy Scout?”
“Ah, actually, no.” His laugh was silky, a delicious whisper across her cheek. His hand settled at the small of her back, guiding her toward the door. She felt managed, his flirtatious discourse wrapped in an unyielding touch. Campbell didn’t like to lose, didn’t like to hearno, didn’t like having his directives challenged. Enticing persuasion was his game. She knew it, but still let herself be played. “They kicked me out the first week.”
