She nodded her head. “And then with Dad’s bedroom right there...it’s a lot.” She crossed her arms over her chest and marched toward the driveway. She started walking faster and faster, her gasps back. Jesus, this woman was a walking disaster.

“Rose. Rose!” He jogged and caught her as she walked beside his truck. He grabbed each shoulder, forcing her to look him in the eye. “Just give it a minute. Talk to me.”

She rubbed her chest, her eyes looking every which way other than at him. “This was all theoretical until...” She tried to catch her breath. “Having to put everything, all of my past, to rest.” She bit her lip and kept her eyes narrowed to avoid tears spilling.

He pulled her in for a hug. She was stiff at first, and her arms hung at her sides.

“...Are you hugging me?” she said with disbelief.

“I know it’s a new feeling for both of us trying to be on the same side; just hear me out.” He tightened his grip around her, and her head landed on his shoulder. “You don’t have to be on top of it all the time, Rose. That’s why I’m here.” Her arms snaked around his waist and pulled him close. The burst of happiness that landed somewhere in his chest was probably coincidental.

“Oh god.” She pulled back suddenly, with her arms still wrapped around his waist. “Is that why you’re here? Because my dad didn’t think I could handle it by myself?”

“Rose.” He laughed, shaking his head at her. “When will you learn? Help doesn’t mean weakness.”

“Says the guy who doesn’t want any help on his farm.”

Ouch. Point for Parker.

His arms were still wrapped tight around her, and he hoped she wouldn’t let go. “I think he knew we’d both need somebody to irritate the hell out of us to distract us from missing him. And just maybe, so superhuman Rose Parker didn’t have to carry the load alone.”

Her chestnut hair blew in the spring morning breeze. It was a dull, overcast day, and her cheeks had turned pink from the chill. He was like a madman, coming back to the torturous fountain for more.

His hand found its way to her cheek, his thumb brushing the edge of her jaw. “All I’m saying is that maybe he knew we’d make a good team.” He’d craved the feel of her velvet skin since the first taste of her. She leaned into his hand and stared at his lips, and he fought the urge they’d agreed was off-limits.

Why did she have to look so perfect standing here in the drizzly spring day?

His thumb caressed its way from her jaw to her cheekbone as his hand wound up into her hair. Her breaths grew ragged, and though they’d said anything physical was off-limits, he could see she considered it.

“Gray?” she whispered.

“Yeah?” His eyes never left her lips.

“Just one more time.” She pulled his shirt to bring him down to her.

As Gray’s smile went wide, her mouth was on his, hot and sweet.

He kissed her as if his life depended on it. His tongue met hers as she pulled him even closer. The satin press of her cheek against his filled an aching void he didn’t know he had. He sucked in the scent and taste of her.

His kisses became hungrier, possessive. As if he was drowning and she was the answer to his prayers.

He needed, needed, needed more.

His hands fisted in her hair, pulling her head back so he could deepen the kiss. She tasted like cinnamon, and he wanted to bury himself in it. His tongue licked at her lips, wanting to memorize the taste and the feel of her. It was like she was made to fit right fucking here in his arms, and this could be the last taste he got of her.

He nuzzled his way down to her throat, taking what he wanted. She raked her fingers through his hair, and he moved to her earlobe. She sucked in her breath and shuddered under him.

His cock went hard as he thought of hearing her moan again. It had almost destroyed him the first time at the shop. He wanted to feel every inch of her and hear her sob his name.

The feel of her tits pressed against him was almost too much for him to take. He went back to her mouth, sucking in her full, pouting bottom lip, and ran his tongue across it. She melted against him as their tongues met.

This was madness, and he never wanted to stop.

His hands moved down her waist and reached under her, lifting her up. She wrapped her legs around him, and he spun her around, pinning her between himself and his truck.

He ground his cock against her, pushing into the truck, and he heard that perfect little moan again.

“That’s it, honey. Moan for me,” he whispered into her ear. “I’ve been thinking of how good you’d look on my cock.”