But Tara's the one who hugs me. The moment her body presses against mine, I feel everything I've been holding back since I walked through that door tonight.
The need. The fear. The desperate hunger for this woman, who stayed strong for my daughter while I was being processed like a common criminal.
I hug her back, slower than I should, letting myself feel the soft curves of her body against my chest.
Then I do something I shouldn't. I bury my face in her neck, breathing in that rose scent that's been driving me crazy for days.
"Tara," I whisper against her skin, my voice rough with everything I can't say. "I wish you knew how much I want you."
"And I wish you knew how hard it is for me to resist you." The raw, honest confession hangs in the air between us, unfiltered.
I force myself to pull away before I do something we'll both regret. Before I pin her against the wall and show her exactly how much I want her.
Tara turns and walks toward the staircase. I watch the sway of her hips, the graceful line of her neck. Everything I can't have.
Not yet.
Not while my life is falling apart and I can't promise her anything stable.
Mrs. Bellows appears from the kitchen just as Tara reaches the stairs. "Oh, Tara," she calls out. "This came to you by messenger this afternoon."
Tara walks back to take it from her hand.
I catch a glimpse of expensive-looking stationery, hand-addressed in gold calligraphy.
"Who's it from?" I ask, moving closer.
"Miss Swain," Tara says, examining the elegant script.
"That lady who hooked you up with the opera?"
"Yes," she says, opening the envelope. "It's an invitation to her house tomorrow—a small soirée to commemorate Moby Dick's opening night. Would you like to come as my date?"
"I'm not sure if I know how to talk to fancy opera folk. I don't have a tux."
"Miss Swain isn't like that," she says. "You'll like her. I'll ask if we can bring Posey and Edison."
I consider it. "After everything that happened today, stepping into Nantucket's social scene seems the wrong move."
Tara considers it. "Maybe. But it could be the right move."
"How so?"
"A lot of important people will be at the party. Charm them. Their sympathy, their support, can be important."
I shrug. "If you think so."
"Let's try it. But I'll be introducing you as my boss."
"Agree."
"Good," she says. There's something in her smile that makes my chest tighten.
"It'll be nice to have you there," she says softly, her eyes holding mine for just a moment longer than necessary.
Then she's gone, disappearing up the staircase. Leaving me alone with the memory of her warm body pressed against mine.
CHAPTER 37
