...“Don’t worry, Cath,” he murmured. “I won’t let him hurt you.”

“I know that. I’m safe here.” She heaved a sigh as her trembling subsided.

“I’m glad you feel that way, but what if he follows you?”

“That’s highly unlikely.” She relaxed into his chest.

“You’d best be careful anyway.” He rubbed his hand down her back. He yanked it away, his hand dangling in the air, uncertain of where to put it. She didn’t have any nightclothes on. Women didn’t sleep without clothes. Granted, she only had his shirt, but she didn’t even have that on.

She snuggled closer to him. He placed his hand on her back. Her skin felt as soft—as he had known it would be. Warmth flooded through him. Clad only in his drawers, he knew if she shifted she would become aware of her physical effect on him. He wanted to nuzzle against her neck and rub his fingers across her breasts, which pressed against his chest, separated only by the bed sheet. He took a long breath and let his fingers enjoy the silky feeling of her back. He’d never wanted a woman as much as he wanted Sarah.

He pushed her back and lifted her head to look into her eyes. They opened wide, like a colt about to bolt. “Don’t worry, Cath. I won’t let him hurt you. I won’t let anyone hurt you.”

Sarah’s lips looked soft and inviting, begging him to kiss them. For several seconds, he continued gazing at her. Then he bent his head and captured her lips with his. Softly, at first, she responded to his kiss, then she threw her arms around his neck and returned the kiss full force. He ran his tongue across her lips until they parted and invited his entrance. His tongue did a dance with hers. He inhaled the wonderful scent of her while he tasted her. He wanted more of her. He wanted to explore every inch of her body with his tongue and his hands. The heat within him grew.

He crushed her against his chest again. She was so vulnerable, so frightened. He couldn’t take advantage of her. Taking in a jagged breath, he smoothed her hair down. “You’re okay now.”

“Better.” Her breathing had become ragged.

“I’ll let you get some rest. You’ll be safe here. I’m just down the hall.” He laid her back on the bed and covered her with the quilt.

She reached up and grabbed his arm. “Stay, please.”

“I’d probably best not.” He took her hand from his arm, holding it engulfed in his. “I’ll light a lamp. That should make you feel better.” He dropped her hand and reached for the bedside lamp.

A flash of lightning cut across the sky and thunder rattled the windows. Sarah jumped and gasped, grasping his arm. The sheet slipped down. Joshua dropped a lit match on the floor. “Damn.” He pulled away his arm, groping for the still-glowing match.

Sarah’s laughter floated around him and he grinned up at her. Fumbling, he finally got the lamp lit. A soft glow pushed back the darkness of the room. Sarah lay there with just the sheet and quilt covering her, outlining the shape of her body, while she shook with laughter.

“Burning down the house is not amusing.”

“I know.” She looked into his eyes. “I’m sorry. It’s just a nervous reaction.” Her gaze moved down to his bare chest.

Plopping down on the side of the bed, Joshua pulled the bottom edge of the quilt over his lap. He tried to look at Sarah’s face, but all his mind saw was her outline beneath the sheet with her breasts pushing it up.

She touched his chest. “Thank you.”

Her fingers burned their imprint into his skin. “For what?”

“Coming to my rescue.”

“Nothing to it.” He shrugged. “You weren’t in any danger.” He folded her hand in his. He’d forget she didn’t belong to him if she touched him again.

“But you didn’t know that.”

Joshua shrugged again. “Best get some sleep.” His mouth was as dry as a desert gulch. “Are you going to be okay now?”

“Yeah. Just leave the lamp lit.”

“Afraid of the dark?”

“Not usually.” Sarah smiled at him.