The right words did not bubble forth. If she apologized and said she'd stay forever then she'd be a fool. She rubbed her arms and changed the topic. "I intended to talk to you. I didn't know you would get some threat against me."
"I told you someone threatened you before."
Her lips were dry. She swallowed the entire glass of iced tea, but it didn't help. "Nothing had happened since I moved in. You never gave me any updates. I assumed it was a misunderstanding."
He reached for his tea as she placed her glass down, and their hands touched. Instead of pulling back, he laced his fingers through hers. "As soon as I find out who it is that is threatening you, then we can go as slow as you like."
The hum in her veins begged for him. "John, if I'm going to stay here, then we're going to have to be honest."
His voice lowered. "What do you want to know?"
She tugged her fingers back. If they touched, she'd be all over him within minutes. "What is it about me now that was missing before?"
"Nothing. I was just young and foolish which made me blind."
The boom in her soul woke her up, though she listened to the ache in her chest. "So this isn't about sticking it to your father, even though he is dead?"
"No."
That one word held so much depth that she didn't know if he was sincere or if she over-read the strong negative reaction. She lowered her gaze. "He didn't like me."
"I am not him."
She straightened out a wrinkle in her jeans. "Have you let go of his shadow? Seems to me you made your life choices because of him."
On a hunch, she gazed at him. The light was gone, and in its place was a riot of emotions. "That's really deep, Alice. Let me sort that out."
Had she pushed too far? Overthinking never helped anything grow. Taking her own advice, she decided it was time for levity. Safe at the house meant no outside forces would get her. The only issue was how she was falling for John Morgan. She stood up and smiled. "Deal. Now what are we having for dinner? I'm getting hungry."
John rose after her and they walked into the kitchen together. She fell behind to memorize his strong broad shoulders and his squeezable butt. Last night, her hands had raked all over him. Tonight, she'd hold back. Last night she realized how much she loved him. Now she was tied to him, but he couldn't know how deeply.
