She glanced up and smiled. “Ah, life arises from the laboratory. What did you discover today, Dr. Frankenstein?”

He crossed the floor in three long strides. “That I’m a jerk,” he said and bent over.

She raised her face and accepted his kiss. Her soft, yielding mouth relieved some of the tension in his chest. When her mouth parted, he swept inside and teased them both into a state of mild arousal.

At last he pulled away and dropped a kiss on the top of her head. “Thanks for not being angry.”

“Why would I be? You went to work and got involved with your program. I guessed you had some kind of breakthrough. I think that’s great.”

He settled on the ottoman in front of her chair and studied her face. Her eyes were clear of any dark emotions, her mouth curved up at the corners.

“Really?”

She put her bookmark in place and set the book on the small table to her right. “Cross my heart.” She made an X over her left breast.

“I owe it all to you,” he said, placing his hands on her knees. “You inspired me.”

“I’ll take credit for distracting you, but I think inspiration is a little much.” Her hair brushed against her bare shoulders. “Quit looking so guilty. I’m not mad. I know your work is important to you. We made love last night. It was terrific for both of us. This morning you found the solution to a problem that’s been bugging you for weeks. If anything, I’m flattered. Why can’t you accept that?”

“Because I should have brought you breakfast in bed, or maybe a dozen roses.”

She raised her eyebrows. “Oh, that would have been subtle. Then no one would have known what happened.”

“Yeah, okay, maybe not breakfast in bed. I didn’t mean to ignore you today. I don’t want you to think I don’t care about what happened last night. It was great.” He met her gaze. “You were great.”

His hands moved up her legs to her thighs. It was late, but they were still awake. Maybe they could-

She wrapped her fingers around his wrists and held him in place.

“Parker, we have to talk.”

That particular phrase always meant bad news. He placed his elbows on his knees. “About?”

“Us.” Erin shifted in the chair. “The next step. I wondered what you had in mind. Christie and I will be here another five weeks. What happens now?”

“You mean sexually?”

“Was it a one-night thing?”

“I hadn’t thought that far ahead,” he admitted. “I enjoyed being with you. I’d like us to be lovers.” He never thought he would say that again. He never thought he would want anyone. But it was more than just the sex. He liked her and respected her. She made him laugh and forget.

She leaned forward and placed her hands on top of his. Their faces were inches apart. He could see the individual colors in her irises. The blues, greens and golds. He could study the perfect shape of her mouth, the cupid’s bow upper lip and the full lower one.

He wanted her. His blood heated and his arousal was instant. He wanted to do everything they had done last night, and a few things they hadn’t.

“I know this complicates the situation,” he said, “but I think we can work it out.”

She laced her fingers with his, then stared at their joined hands. “I’m not that sophisticated, Parker. I wasn’t a virgin last night, but I haven’t been with a lot of men. I enjoyed what we did.” She gave him a half smile. “‘Enjoy’ isn’t quite powerful enough, is it? You were amazing.”

“But? Not that I don’t appreciate the compliment, but I hear a but.”

She nodded. “But I don’t think I can be your lover. Not that I don’t want to be. It’s very tempting. I’m just afraid that in the end, I’ll disappoint you.”

“That’s not possible.”

“I can’t keep giving my body without my heart coming along for the ride.” She met his gaze. “If we continue to be lovers I’ll-” She swallowed, but didn’t look away. “I’ll fall in love with you and I know you don’t want that.”

He’d known it was too good to last, but the sharpness of his regret startled him. Until she’d actually refused, he hadn’t known how much he’d wanted her in his life. It wasn’t fair, he acknowledged. A temporary situation gave him everything he wanted, but offered little to her. He knew he was safe, emotionally. He was never going to care about anyone again. He’d learned his lesson a long time ago and he wasn’t going to repeat it.

“I understand,” he said, and was surprised when regret boiled into anger. He did understand, but he didn’t like it. He wanted to be with her. He wanted her in his bed and in his life. For the summer, of course. He wasn’t looking for an emotional connection.

“I’m also concerned about Christie,” she went on. She gave his fingers a quick squeeze, then released him. “If she sees us acting like a couple, she’ll start to think that we’re going to be a normal family. I think just staying friends is better for everyone.”

“Safer, you mean,” he said, fighting the irritation of not getting his way. “Settling for what’s offered instead of taking what you want.”

She flinched and turned her gaze away. “An interesting comment coming from you. Playing it safe is what you do best, Parker. Isn’t that what this entire household is about? Providing you with a place to escape.”

Now it was his turn to feel uncomfortable. “This is my home,” he said. “Nothing more.”

“Isn’t it? You don’t hide out here so you can keep the world at a distance? I’m surprised you’ve let Christie in as much as you have. I suppose she’s accepted because she’s just a child and because her visit is temporary. But an adult woman is more of a risk.” She stared at him, her hazel eyes seeing far more than they should. “I believe that you got a brilliant idea this morning and I’m pleased to have had a small part in that inspiration. But I find it interesting that you felt it necessary to seal yourself away from me for an entire day.”

“I have a responsibility to my work.”

“And maybe it was a little easier not to have to face me and what had happened between us.”

“I don’t regret what happened.”

She gave him a sad smile. “That’s not what I’m saying. You-” She hesitated.

“I what?” he asked, then wondered if he really wanted to know.

“You hold a part of yourself back. You do it with Kiki, with me, even with Christie. I’m sure you held back with Stacey. Did you do the same thing with your wife, Parker? Did you keep parts of your heart from her?”

He rose to his feet. “You have no right to ask me about her.”

“I have every right,” she said quietly. “This isn’t about me. I’ll survive whatever happens between us. Our relationship isn’t important. What matters is Christie. She’s your daughter. I won’t let you do to her what you’ve done to the other people in your life. You’d better think long and hard about this. You’d better search your heart and know for sure. If you hold back from your daughter, she’ll know. She won’t understand that it’s about you and not about her. She’ll blame herself. I won’t let you hurt her that way.”

“I wouldn’t do that,” he said, pacing across the room.

“Not on purpose, maybe, but it’s a habit.” She laced her fingers together and studied them. “You still mourn Robin. While I can appreciate that you really loved her, I can’t help but wonder why you won’t let go. Is it guilt, Parker? Is it because she died knowing you held a part of yourself in reserve? Christie is only four years old. You can’t let her dream of flying, then let her crash to the ground. She trusts you. Are you going to let her down?”

He stood in front of the fireplace and stared at her. “Never.”

She went on as if she hadn’t heard him. “The hardest part about being a parent is that you have to give everything and pray that it’s enough. Sometimes it’s not, but you have to try anyway. You have to be willing to make sacrifices. When we first came here I was a little jealous of your relationship with Christie. She wanted a father and you did everything right. I handled it because being with you was the best thing for her. Now it’s easier. I’m glad you two get along. My point is I had to be willing to make a sacrifice and you’re going to have to do the same.”

Erin jealous of him? But he was just fumbling in the dark with this while she did everything right. God, he was so confused.

“I love her,” he said.

“That’s a start.”

A thousand thoughts swirled through his mind. Erin’s accusations about holding back a part of himself. Could he be a good parent? Was he capable of giving as much as Christie needed? What would happen to her if he failed?

He turned and left the room. The inky blackness of night called him. He opened the French doors and stepped onto the terrace.

A soft sea breeze caressed him as he stood looking at the ocean. He couldn’t see anything beyond the occasional whitecap. He could hear the pounding of the surf. It matched the thundering of his heartbeat. It had been so long since he’d fought them that he’d thought he’d conquered the demons. He’d been wrong.

They returned silently, swooping out of the night, attacking him with swords sharpened by regret. They pierced his protective layer of logic, zeroing in on his exposed uncertainties. Robin. Always Robin.

Without closing his eyes he could see her lying in the hospital bed. He’d clutched her hand and begged her not to leave him. It was just pneumonia; she wasn’t supposed to die.

He drew in a deep breath and instead of salt air, he smelled the antiseptic scent of hospital disinfectant. He could feel her fragile fingers resting in his, and see the shadows under her eyes.

“Don’t go,” he’d whispered. “I’ll never make it without you.”

She’d looked at him then, turning her head until she could see him. “It’s better this way,” she’d said, every word a labor of breath and energy. “You’ll remember me alive. You won’t hate me.”