Chapter Four

      “It’s late, Scott.” She hated that her voice sounded breathless. “What do you want?”

      “I need a place to sleep.”

      His tone held none of its usual teasing or cocky certainty. But she kept the door open only a crack, not yet willing to let him in. “I thought you were staying at the bar.”

      “Too damn quiet after everyone leaves. Too empty. And it smells like a bar.”

      She smiled a little. “You smell like a bar.”

      “I could use a shower.” He lifted a black duffel bag into view. “I brought a change of clothes.”

      She shook her head. “You should stay with Sam and Julia.”

      “They’re a family. I don’t belong there.”

      “You don’t belong here.”

      He shrugged. “I don’t belong anywhere.” Lexi knew it was the first wholly honest thing he’d said since they’d met. The smallest bit of vulnerability flashed in his eyes and she was a goner.

      Jon Riley’s words about being hurt echoed in her head, but she pushed them away as she reached out and took Scott’s hand. Pulling him to her, she brushed a wayward lock of hair away from his forehead. Her finger traced the side of his face, much the same way he’d done the last time he touched her. Did it have the same effect? His heated gaze gave her hope that it did.

      He looked as if he wanted to devour her, but didn’t make a move. He only watched as she explored his skin with her hands, his chest rising and falling with shallow breaths.

      “Misty said you think I’m too slow,” she told him softly, the words stinging her pride as she repeated them.

      “The customers don’t seem to mind,” he answered. “You made good tips tonight.”

      “So you’re not going to fire me?” She tried to make her voice sound teasing.

      “Not yet,” he answered.

      “I’d threaten you with a sexual-harassment lawsuit but you flirt with everyone at the bar except me. Why is that?”

      “You’re the one pressed up against me.” He shifted, somehow drawing her closer without pulling her to him. “Who’s doing the harassing?”

      He was right, but she could sense that his need matched her own. In the quiet intimacy of her apartment, it made her bold enough to ask, “Does this feel like harassment, Scott?”

      “This feels like heaven,” he whispered. “But I didn’t come here for this. I’m no good for you.”

      “That’s the point. I’m looking for a wild adventure and developing a new fondness for things that aren’t good for me.”

      He took her arms and lifted them around his neck. Her head tilted and he brushed his lips against hers. Finally. It seemed as if she’d been waiting for this kiss her entire life.

      And it was worth it.

      His mouth felt delicious, the pressure sending sparks of desire along every inch of her skin. She lost herself in the sensations, reeling from the onslaught of need he aroused in her.

      His strong arms wrapped around her, pulling her more tightly against him until she could tell how much he wanted her. She wanted him with the same need, like a drug she couldn’t get enough of. She was quickly tipping out of control and the unfamiliarity of that made her push away.

      Lexi Preston never lost control. She knew the dark and dangerous path where that might lead.

      “You’re right,” she said around a gulp of air. “I’m slow.” She covered her still-tingling lips with her fingers for a moment and stared at the floor. “I’m not one of your usual barflies.”

      “I never thought you were.”

      She pulled her shirt hem down where it had bunched around her waist. “You can stay here tonight.” She still didn’t meet his gaze. “On the couch. There’s no furniture in the second bedroom right now. Use the shower, whatever you need. I’m going to bed.” She squeezed her eyes shut tight. “Alone.”

      Before he could answer, she turned and retreated to the bedroom.

      * * *

      Scott watched her go, willing his heart to slow and his body to settle down.

      What the hell was he doing in Lexi’s apartment?

      He’d told her the truth—he’d come here to sleep. After the last stragglers had gone home, he’d sat alone at the empty bar with a glass of Jack Daniel’s in his hand, ready to blot out the memories that flooded him when he closed his eyes. But he couldn’t lift the drink to his lips.

      Sam was right—he’d been doing more self-medicating with alcohol than he should lately. Since his partner had been killed, it was the only thing that numbed the pain and the thoughts that raced around his brain. He’d always enjoyed a good buzz, but he’d never needed it the way he did now.

      He’d already lost control in so many areas of his life. How much was he willing to give up? He’d poured out the glass of whiskey and paced the length of the building. There was nothing more depressing than an empty bar after closing, when the lack of body heat and voices made it feel like a sad, lonely shell of broken dreams.

      A lot like his life.

      He’d gotten in his truck and driven here. Sure, he could have called Tina or even Misty and found a warm welcome and a warmer bed. Instead he’d craved the lightness he felt radiating from Lexi. She was the purest person he’d met in a long time, someone good and innocent and everything he hadn’t been in years.

      He didn’t understand his need for her. He’d never been attracted to the buttoned-up type before. But her strawberry hair, big luminous eyes and creamy skin made him want to fold her into him and not let go.

      Except he knew he’d destroy the goodness in her. That was what he did to the people he needed. As much as he might want her, he’d keep his distance. He’d stay on the couch, stay away from her bed. As self-destructive as he could be, he still had a deep need to protect the people around him. Too bad he was the person Lexi needed protection against the most.

      * * *

      Scott slept better on the overstuffed couch than he had in years. He woke, showered and dressed, feeling halfway human again.

      By the time eight o’clock rolled around, Lexi still hadn’t made an appearance. He knocked softly on her bedroom door. “I know you’re awake. I hear you moving around. You can come out—I won’t bite.”

      He heard something bang behind the closed door.

      “I bet you have to go to the bathroom pretty bad by now.”

      The door opened and Lexi appeared, fully dressed in jeans and a shapeless T-shirt that nonetheless gave him a little thrill. She tried hard to hide her petite figure and he couldn’t understand why.

      “Why are you still