Simply Sexy

Exhaustion strained his expression and her heart went out to him. He ran a hand through his hair. 'When I left the hospital, at first I needed to be alone. To get away from everyone and everything.'

His fingers tangled in the stray strands of her hair, causing her pulse to hammer wildly and her mouth to grow dry.

He led her inside and together they sat on the couch. Rina curled her legs beneath her.

'I wasn't ready to deal with another family situation.'

He'd confirmed her hunch. One part of her liked knowing she understood him so well, another part was disappointed that he'd fallen back into old patterns.

'Especially another one where I was an outsider.' He held out his hand and waited.

He obviously wanted her understanding. She'd already promised herself she'd provide it, and now she knew why. She loved him. Flaws and all, she loved this man who found himself unable to handle emotion or commitment.

Seconds passed, in which the roar in her ears and the silent echo of the words was the only sound she heard. She loved him. Because of Colin, she'd come to understand her past and her marriage, and she knew not only what she wanted, but what she deserved out of life. Colin would never demand self- sacrifice.

He'd never ask her to give up the career she loved or the life she'd created. He might leave in the end, but he'd given her something precious to keep in her heart. He'd given her his understanding. In return, because she loved and accepted him, she'd reciprocate by letting him go.

She placed her palm inside his. The sizzling sexual tension sprang to life once more. Only this time she knew more than desire crackled between them. Because the heart she thought she'd protected belonged to him.

CHAPTER TEN

'WHAT HAPPENED at the hospital?' Rina asked.

Colin shrugged. He leaned back into the cushioned sofa and glanced up at the ceiling, his pain obvious. 'Watching Corinne at Joe's bedside made me…uncomfortable.'

'Why?' She needed details if she was going to help him through this. That he'd come to her now showed how much faith he placed in them. She didn't want to let him down.

'All this time I've been blaming her for working her wiles on Joe and destroying the family we used to have.'

'And now?' Rina asked, leading but wanting him to confide on his own.

'I accepted something I probably knew all along but wasn't ready to face.'

Rina squeezed his hand tighter. 'Which is?'

'Corinne's not the outsider, I am.'

She had a family she'd never feel left out of. Colin didn't, and his words hit Rina hard, helping her to understand him even more. Still, maybe his vision was distorted, coming from the perspective of the little boy who'd lost his parents and then felt as if he'd had no one.

'I know that's your perception and I've never met Joe, but my heart tells me he wouldn't agree. The man took you into his home. He adopted you. That says something about his feelings for you. Did you talk to him today?'

'I didn't want to be in a place I didn't belong, so I took off.'

'So what brought you back here now?'

He rolled his head to the side, meeting her gaze. 'You're the only one I trust enough to let in.' He pointed to his chest. 'Here.' He tapped the area over his heart.

A lump rose to her throat as he reached out and touched her cheek.

'Am I forgiven?'

'There never was anything to forgive.'

He released a long breath and she felt as if she'd given him a gift.

Still, she sensed he wasn't finished, that he had more to reveal. 'What else did you realize today?' she asked.

'Are you a mind reader?' he asked, laughing.

'No, but I guess I am coming to know you.'

Gratitude flickered in his gaze. 'Joe raised me as his son. From plain old discipline to learning journalism at his knee, he didn't treat me any differently than if he'd had a kid of his own.'

'That says so much about his character. He's obviously a good man.'

'I know. That's what makes this so hard to reconcile. When Joe got sick, who did he give power of attorney? Who did he trust with his biggest, most beloved asset? With the asset he taught me to love and respect? Not his son, but his wife of two years.'

She heard the betrayal in Colin's voice. She felt his pain in her heart. Her words wouldn't offer any explanation or ease his hurt, but she instinctively knew exactly what he needed. Something she could provide.

Turning toward him, she held out her arms, waiting as he came forward, his lips sealing hard and fast against hers.

Rina's lips devoured Colin's with abandon, not holding back. His blood heated and blazed, desire threatening to rampage out of control.

'Let's take this into the bedroom,' he suggested, breaking the kiss.

He had no doubt she'd agree. Her body spoke for her, telling him she wanted him as much as he wanted her. But more importantly, she'd listened and understood, offering the comfort he needed without him having to ask.

'Sounds like a good plan,' she said, her brown eyes glittering bright with desire.

Rising from the couch, he picked her up and swept her into his arms. 'You should know I didn't come back here expecting this.'

She laughed and shook her head before running a finger down his cheek. 'Liar.'

Caught, he merely grinned. 'Okay, let's say I needed you and leave it at that.'

'That's more like the silver-tongued devil you usually are.'

He laughed. Her acceptance filled an emptiness inside him. He could have said that gnawing hole had begun with Joe's illness, but the empty pit had been eating away at him for a long time. Since his parents' deaths.

And that emptiness had led to the need to fill the void. He'd fallen back on travel, and the old desire was beckoning again. But he hadn't been able to outrun the void in the past and he knew it wouldn't accomplish anything now. He was fighting it this time, but it was difficult.

The woman in his arms made it easier. He made his way to the bedroom with her nuzzling at his neck, her breath warm against his skin. Without warning, she began to tug at his earlobe with her teeth. The sensation was hot and erotic, shooting desire straight to his groin. She'd not only chased away the pain but she'd filled that void.

The realization struck him hard, but before he could deal with what that meant, he'd reached the bed and more urgent needs called to him.

He lowered her to the comforter and came down on top of her in the nick of time, spreading her thighs and settling his hard, aching erection between her legs. Though he was fully dressed, he realized she wasn't.

Her robe parted easily, and instead of thin silk, he discovered bare flesh, moist heat and damp folds waiting for his touch, his taste, his aching member. He curled his fingers around the down comforter surrounding them and prayed for restraint.

'Don't you think you're overdressed?' she asked.

To hell with it. Restraint was overrated. He rose and began stripping out of his clothes, mindless of where they fell, but not unaware of Rina. She watched him undress. Her bright gaze followed his movements, the need dilating her eyes an arousing sight. As was her pose. She lay on the bed, robe parted, exposing a hint of white skin and cleavage above the belted knot, and those enticingly damp curls below.

He eased himself beside her, fully naked and completely aroused. Flesh against flesh, he thought he'd died and