“Gotta carry my bride over the threshold.”

I wrapped my arms around his neck and sagged into his chest as he unlocked the door with one hand. “Wonder what the history of this is. So the man can show off how strong he is?”

“I think it started because the wife was nervous about losing her virginity.”

I snorted. “Well at least we don’t have to worry about that one.”

Chance’s eyes bore into me. He didn’t even try to hide the jealousy. It gave me an idea. “Do you want to get married someday?” I asked.

“Someday? I thought I just did.” He set me down just inside of my room.

“I mean for real. I wonder who will be carrying me over the threshold when it’s my real wedding.”

Chance’s eyes were serious. “I don’t want to think about it.”

I kept pushing. “Maybe my new firm will be chock full of eligible bachelors.”

“You mean like Harrison?”

I shrugged and sat down to take off my four-inch heels. “I’ve decided I’m not going to let him keep me down any longer. I’ve been moping around for two months. When I get settled into California, I’m going to get back on the horse.” I looked up and grinned. Chance was still standing near the door. “What, no dirty comment about me getting back on the horse and taking a good ride? You’re slipping, Cocky.”

His jaw flexed. “Maybe you should take up with that magic wand again, rather than rushing into things.”

I stood and walked to him, turning my back and pulling my hair to the side. “Can you unzip me?” The room was silent for a long moment before I felt Chance’s hands touch me. One gripped my hip firmly, almost as if he had to hold on tight to keep it in place. The other reached up to my zipper. The sound it made as he slowly unzipped was positively erotic.

Seriously, what was wrong with me?

Neither of us moved. We stood there with thick tension swirling around us.

“Chance?” I breathed. I didn’t even recognize my own voice; it was so low and husky.

His fingers dug deeper into my hip. It almost hurt, but turned me on at the same time. I waited for him to say something. Anything. I kept waiting. Neither of us moved.

Still nothing.

“Chance?” I tried to turn around and face him, but his hands kept me in place.

“Don’t. I need to go, Aubrey.” He paused and blew out a deep breath. “The guy who gets to carry you over that threshold for real, is going to be one lucky bastard.”

I didn’t turn around until I heard the door to my room click closed behind him. I hadn’t wanted to let him see my tears.

It was a good two hours before I heard him return. The door between our adjoining rooms was cracked open enough so I could hear him moving around. My head was spinning, and the thought of never seeing him again after tomorrow seriously had me sick to my stomach. I’d spent more than a year with Harrison, and the day I moved out didn’t hurt half as much as this did.

Lying in my own bed, knowing Chance was so physically close, yet I couldn’t touch him, made me crazy. I kept on replaying his words over and over in my mind, dissecting each and every conversation I was able to recall. He’d told me I was beautiful. He’d spelled out the things he fantasized about doing to me in vivid detail. He’d said the man who I wound up with was lucky. His words told me he wanted me. His eyes told me he wanted me. His body, his breath, the way he stared at my body like he was clinging to his last thread of control.

I was damn certain he wanted me—that much I’d finally accepted. He just…couldn’t. Couldn’t was the word he’d actually used. Like it was wrong to allow himself. I knew he was trying to protect me from whatever was holding him back. But I didn’t want to be protected anymore. What I wanted, was to be fucked into oblivion. And it was time I took control of the situation. I am woman, damn it. Hear me roar.

With adrenaline pumping through my veins, I slipped into my bathroom, washed my face and let my bedtime ponytail loose. I lifted my nightshirt over my head and stared at myself in the mirror. The underwear I was wearing were cute—a pale pink lace demi cup bra with matching boy shorts. But I was done beating around the bush. I shimmied out of my underwear, unhooked my bra and took in my reflection. Roar.

My cheeks were flushed, my body was toned, and for the first time in a long time, I liked what I saw. There was no time left. I had to do it now before I chickened out. With each rise and fall of my chest, courage was starting to disappear. I looked at myself one last time, took a deep breath and headed for the door that separated us.