She stepped aside and urged him to sit. Then she knelt on the carpet and removed both his shoes and socks. Underneath the left sock was the smooth plastic of his artificial foot.

Unexpected sadness flooded her. Sadness for what he’d been through and what he’d lost. He wasn’t alone in that. Hundreds of others had suffered the same way.

But thinking about that wasn’t helping. She had to focus on Mitch, on being with him, on letting him know that she loved all of him.

She straightened, then reached for his belt, but before she could touch it, he grabbed her around the waist and pulled her close. He buried his face between her breasts and groaned, then turned his head and drew her right nipple into his mouth.

The sweet tugging caused her insides to clench. She held on to him and lost herself in the sensation. Then his fingers were between her legs, searching, finding, rubbing, thrusting. He used his thumb to caress her center while moving his fingers in and out of her.

She tightened her muscles as the need washed over her. She was already close and getting closer by the second. Her orgasm was just out of reach. A few more seconds and she would be there.

She cupped his head and ran her fingers through his hair as he moved from breast to breast. Almost, she thought desperately. Almost. Then she would-

She pulled herself away. It was agony as her body whimpered in protest.

“You’re trying to distract me,” she said, barely able to see straight.

He shrugged. “Maybe a little. You’re also naked, Skye. What am I supposed to do? Ignore that?”

She unfastened his belt. “No. You’re supposed to join me.”

He pushed her hands away and stood. His suit slacks fell. She didn’t look away from his eyes.

“Almost,” she teased. “I’m talking naked, cowboy.”

“You have to look.”

For her or for him? Did it matter?

He sat back on the bed and tossed away his slacks. She sat next to him and looked down at the prosthesis, then he removed it and slid off the protective sock.

It was wrong, she thought sadly, staring at the place where his calf had once been. There was nothing there. Just a smooth curve of skin and a few fading scars.

“I thought it would be more dramatic,” she said without thinking.

“Meaning?”

“At least some background music and a drumroll.”

He stared at her. For a second she thought he was going to get pissed off. Instead he started to laugh. When she joined in, he put his arm around her waist and pulled her onto the mattress. Then he was on top of her and they were kissing and nothing else mattered.

He claimed her mouth with a desperation that left her breathless. His hands roamed her body, finding all the places that made her squirm. Well, all the places but one. No matter how she flexed her hips and silently willed him to touch her there, he ignored that place between her legs.

He moved lower, kissing her neck, then her breasts. He licked his way down her belly.

She knew where this was going, what he would do, and nearly screamed for him to hurry. Hunger burned inside of her. She’d already been close once-it wouldn’t take much to push her over the edge.

Finally he moved between her thighs, parted her and then kissed her intimately. He used his lips and tongue to arouse her to the point of mindlessness, licking and sucking until she wanted to scream. At the same time he slipped a finger inside of her.

The combination was too much, she thought as her body tensed. She pushed toward him, wanting more, wanting all of it. There was a moment of certainty, a promise, then she was coming and shuddering, calling out his name, begging him never to stop.

He continued to touch her until she stilled, then he rolled away. Seconds later he was back, kneeling between her legs. She reached for him to guide him inside of her. As his thick hardness filled her, nerve endings began to dance.

It was perfect, she thought as she stared into his eyes. He fit her as if he’d been made for her-stretching her just enough, finding exactly the right, delicious spot when he thrust in all the way.

They quickly created their perfect rhythm. Their gazes locked. She felt herself getting closer again, but was determined to hold back until he was falling, too.

Familiar tension filled her. The need was there, pushing her onward. She found herself trying to think about other things, which made her want to laugh.

“What?” he asked, still moving in and out of her.

“I’m waiting for you.”

He grinned. “I’m enjoying the moment. It’s easy. I didn’t know it would be easy.”

What was he talking about?

Then she remembered. His leg. He’d been worried. She’d been concerned. But they were making love and it was exactly as it had always been. Perfect.

“Take your time,” she told him, grabbing onto her self-control, determined to wait for him.

“You’re really close?” he asked.

“Mitch, are you torturing me on purpose?”

“Uh-huh.” His breath caught. “You ready?”

“I’ve moved on to desperate.”

“That sounds bad. You can let go.”

“Are you sure?”

He pushed in deeper and groaned. “I’m sure.”

She felt the muscles in his back flex. She surrendered to her release and they lost themselves in each other.

SKYE WOKE UP alone in her bed the next morning, but she was okay with that. Being with Mitch the previous night had been like a renewal. They’d connected on a level she hadn’t thought possible. While they hadn’t talked about the future, she knew he was going to give her a chance. It had taken nine years and a lot of miles, but they were finally where they belonged.

She showered and dressed. It was Saturday and Erin would sleep in a little. Later she had a birthday party with one of her friends. Maybe Skye could sneak over and see Mitch again.

She hummed as she made her way downstairs. Everything was going to work out. She’d finally gotten her life together. All they had to do was get Izzy well and find a way to beat Garth. Then everything would be perfect.

“Not too much to ask,” she said as she walked into the kitchen.

Her father was already there.

“Dad. You’re home.”

Jed sipped his coffee. “I still live here.”

“You haven’t been around much.” Although it was the weekend and relatively early in the morning, he wore a suit, as if he had a business meeting.

“I’ve been busy,” he said. “There’s a lot going on. How’s your sister?”

“Doing better. I know she’d like you to go see her.”

“I hate hospitals. I’ll see her when she gets home.”

Skye glared at him. “She survived an explosion. You should make the time.”

“Don’t tell me what to do. I don’t have time for distractions. A guy named Jack is going to call you later and ask you out. I want you to say yes.”

She had reached for the coffeepot. Now she dropped her hand to her side and stared at him. “What?”

“You heard me. He’s successful, which matters to me. I’ve heard people say he’s handsome, which will matter to you.”

“No,” she said, too shocked to move.

“You’ll go on a date, see how things go.”

“Did you hear me? I said no.”

Sunlight poured into the kitchen. Jed sipped his coffee again. “Do you think I care what you said?”

She stiffened. “You’d better. I’m not doing this again. I married Ray. He was a good man and I’m grateful for Erin, but I shouldn’t have listened to you. I lost myself when I did that and it’s taken me all this time to find my way back.”

“That’s a bunch of crap. Jesus, why do you have to be so emotional? This is business, Skye. You’re going to do what I tell you because you like living here. You like the lifestyle. You gave away so much of your money to that idiotic foundation that you don’t have much left. So you don’t have a choice. This is a bad time for me and you’re going to do what I tell you.”

He didn’t raise his voice, but it still seemed like he was yelling. She raised her chin.

“No,” she said again. “I have plenty of money. As for the house-” She glanced around the room. “No, thanks. I’m not giving up my future so you can get the son-in-law of your dreams.”

It wasn’t the house, she thought sadly. It had never been the house. Staying here had been about being part of a family, of connecting. She’d wanted to give Erin that after Ray had died and maybe she’d wanted a little of that for herself.

“I’m not asking,” he said as he put his mug on the counter. “Dammit, Skye, this isn’t a negotiation. You’re my daughter and you’ll do what I tell you. You know all the shit I’m dealing with. Garth is everywhere. He’s coming at me from all over. He wants me in jail. You know that, don’t you.” He stared at her. “Look at what he did to your sister.”

She thought of Izzy lying in a hospital bed. “I’m very aware of that.”

“Then help me out.”

“Dad, I love you, but I won’t let you push me into another marriage. It doesn’t have to be that way. We’ll figure out how to defeat Garth. All of us. We can work together.”

Her father looked at her for a long time. “That’s not going to happen. You think I’d depend on the three of you? Lexi could barely handle her business. You’re a constant disappointment and Izzy’s no longer useful. Who wants a blind wife? You’re going to do this. You don’t have a choice.”

He left.

She stood in the center of the kitchen. Despite the fact that it was warm and bright, she shivered slightly from the chill.

LATER THAT AFTERNOON, as Skye walked toward the staircase, she heard Jed call her name. She followed the sound to the library, where she paused in the doorway, suddenly unwilling to trust her father.

His words had haunted her all morning. He hadn’t been the least bit subtle in his threat, and while she could tell herself she wouldn’t give in, a part of her was nervous.