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who kept his bed warm while he was away at school.”
    â€œThat bastard.” Nick’s blood boiled at the story. That anyone could treat a woman so badly galled him. He had a sister, and he’d kill any guy who used her that way. And for Kate to have gone through something like that? He clenched his fists in his lap.
    Kate eyed Nick in surprise. The vehemence and disgust in his tone shocked her. “It was a long time ago,” she said.
    â€œNot so long that it didn’t leave scars,” he reminded her, his gentle tone in stark contrast to the obvious anger pulsing through him on her behalf.
    â€œI don’t know about scars. It made me wiser, though.”
    â€œAnd way too skeptical.”
    Kate shrugged.
    Nick didn’t take things so lightly. “Are you finished?” He gestured to her plate and she nodded.
    She started to pick up place settings to help him clean.
    â€œLeave it. I’ll get it later.”
    She must have read the seriousness in his voice because she listened without arguing. He rose from his seat and she did the same. Without a word, he walked into the living area and turned the stereo on, his iPod playing a mix he’d created, and yeah, he’d put a lot of thought into this too.
    As Adele crooned around them, singing of breakups but also providing the right mood music for Kate to sway in his arms, he held out his hand. She tipped her head, obviously understanding what he wanted because she came easily. He clasped her smaller fingers in his and drew her against him, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her close, so there was no mistaking his intent.
    Or his need.
    He waited in silence, their bodies gliding in place, until she finally relaxed in his arms. That’s when he sprung his next offensive. “Give me a chance, Kate. I want you. Tonight.”
    Kate sighed. She felt so much smaller in Nick’s arms, protected but also cherished, a dangerous feeling when
want
was very different from the emotional need he effortlessly aroused inside her.
    Still, as their dance continued and he waited for her answer, she grew ever more aroused. He wanted her. She desired him. Two adults who knew the score. He rocked against her, all sensual seriousness and she melted.
    Give him what he was asking for or walk away and never know what could be.
    â€œDon’t let some asshole from five years ago keep you from opening your heart now,” he whispered.
    Oh my God, he was talking about hearts. But she’d learned not to read too much into words, which she knew as an English teacher, could have varying meanings. All Nick really wanted was for her not to deny the physical attraction that was so obvious.
    He was seducing her into his bed. That’s what she needed to both respond to and keep in mind.
    â€œWhat’s it gonna be, sweetheart?”

Six
    All Kate had to do was agree to give them a chance and hope her heart was strong enough for whatever came next. Meeting his gaze, she lifted onto her tiptoes and kissed his lips. He let her take the lead and she pressed harder against him, her fingers threading through his hair and, keeping him right where she wanted him, she deepened the kiss.
    Her tongue slid sensuously against his and his control broke. With a groan, he backed her up to the nearest wall, his entire body bracketing hers, his breathing ragged and rough.
    â€œWhat you do to me,” he muttered, cupping her chin in his hand.
    Don’t break my heart
, Kate whispered in her own mind, knowing she was in over her head with this man. Then, too far gone to listen to reason, she grabbed the waistband on his shirt and pulled it over his head, stripping him so she could feel his bare skin.
    At last.
    He let her hands roam in silence and she tested his hair-roughened chest, his hard abs and stomach, before heading upward again, her palms settling on his nipples, her fingertips running up and down over the tight tips.
    He let out a painful