It was right then, when she gave him that special smile, that he knew what he would do.
* * *
Riley had almost dropped off to sleep when Josh came back to her.
She opened her eyes and smiled at him. “Hey.”
His answering smile just lit her up inside. And then he came toward her, all lean, easy grace with those broad shoulders she loved to rest her head on, those strong arms that felt so right around her, that hard belly a girl could bounce a quarter off.
He really was one fine-looking man, head to toe.
It made her smile all the wider to think of the two of them all those months ago, agreeing on a short-term love affair that should have been long over by now. So far, she’d yet to get enough of him—and not only of that handsome face and that fine body he knew exactly what to do with, but also of his big heart and kind, thoughtful ways.
Oh, she really did need to keep a rein on herself or she’d start thinking of him in ways she’d vowed never to let herself think of any man again.
He came to join her in the bed, lifting the covers, sliding in beside her and settling the blankets over them both. “Hey.”
She snuggled closer. “Hey…”
His touch was light as a breath on her cheek as he eased a loose curl of hair away from her mouth and guided it back behind her ear. “It’s good—so good. To be here in this bed with you.”
“Beyond good,” she agreed as she caught his hand, smoothed his fingers open and brushed a kiss in the center of his palm.
He was watching her so closely.
She frowned. “What? Is something wrong?”
“I hope not.”
Smiling, she moved in close for a quick, sweet kiss. “Tell me.”
“Riley…”
She got a strange, dizzy sort of feeling right then, like the world was about to tip sideways and knock her right off, send her flying off alone into cold, dark space. “What…?”
“I want more.”
She drew a slow, careful breath.
This couldn’t be happening. He couldn’t mean what he seemed to be saying. He knew exactly where she stood on the subject of “more,” and they’d come to terms long ago about that. “Tell me you’re not saying what I think you’re saying.”
He stroked her cheek again. His eyes were purest amber right then. “I can’t tell you that, Riley Jane.”
Her chest felt tight, and her pulse had started racing. “I thought we had an…understanding.”
“We did.” His eyes were kind—and so very determined. “But our understanding…?”
“What about it?”
“It just isn’t working for me anymore.”
“Oh, Josh…” She had no idea where to go from there.
And then he did it. He said what he’d promised he wouldn’t say. “I love you, Riley Thompson. I’minlove with you. And this…co-parents thing with occasional benefits? It’s not enough. Not anymore.”
She gulped. “Josh, listen—”
“Riley, I want more with you.”
