He knew without asking she'd left him dinner again. He recalled how soothing her hug had been earlier and itched to feel her soft, warm body in his arms again.
Even more frustrated, he pulled the food out of the oven and retreated to his office, not caring that he was drenched.
She trailed him up the stairs.
"You okay?" Her soft voice drifted off as she took him in.
He glanced at her. She looked well-rested, her cheeks glowing and her eyes dancing.
"There's more if you want," she said, glancing at his plate. She pulled up a chair, her movement giving him a peek of the swells of her breasts as she bent. She sat next to him and propped her chin on one hand, gazing at him.
"I'm better now," he said. He touched her face, and she took his hand in both of hers.
"You're cold," she murmured.
"Will you stay with me tonight?" he asked. He leaned his forehead against hers, listening to her breathe.
"No one-night stands," she said, though her tone was considering.
"We don't have to do anything," he said with a husky chuckle. "I promise to behave."
She hesitated then reached for him, her cool touch soothing the fury in his blood. She leaned back to kiss him, the feel of her soft lips against his both infuriating and placating. He kissed her gently, unwilling to drop his restraint.
"Kiri, you don't want to kiss me like that," he told her, pulling away.
She settled again into his hug. He sensed he'd upset her, but she didn't leave, just squeezed him tighter. He took them to the condo, and she tensed.
"Is it safe?"
"It is," he said, more self-anger stirring at her fear. "Lay down. I've gotta clean up."
She withdrew, and he felt the loss of her presence like the sun going behind a cloud. He took a long shower, exhausted, before retrieving his now lukewarm dinner from the house. He ate alone in the condo's kitchen, not surprised to see Bianca asleep when he finally returned to bed. He gathered her warm body in his arms and smoothed away the curls that clung to his face, breathing her deep scent before he dropped into the first peaceful slumber in ages.
It wasn't quite morning when he returned her to the extra bed in Jonny's room. After a few solid hours of sleep, his sense of center was back, his mind clear. He paused as he passed the library. The lights were on.
"Sofi?" he called. The library was her refuge, though he had to wonder why she was up so early again.