As I stared at the ceiling, I thought I heard footsteps coming toward my room, but I was so tired, I could have imagined it. Still, a desperate need bubbled up inside me, making me feel crazy. I had to know if he was there, if he still felt the same way about me as I did about him.

So I got up, took a deep breath, and pulled open the door. I was so shocked to see Ian standing directly in front of me, I stumbled a step back as he smirked happily at me.

“I couldn’t…” I started as he interrupted me with, “I wanted…”

We both fell into an easy laughter, and I motioned for him to go ahead.

Ian rubbed a hand across the back of his neck. “I wanted to thank you for tonight. Again. I’m sorry I got you involved in all this, I just didn’t know who else to call.”

I nodded. “Ian, don’t worry about it. I’m glad you called. I can’t imagine you trying to do this all on your own.” His small smile of gratitude was all the thanks I needed.

“What were you going to say before I interrupted?” he asked.

I shuffled my feet on the carpeting, digging my big toe into the plush fibers. “I couldn’t sleep,” I admitted.

He nodded. “Me neither. I’m glad you’re here with me. Tonight was interesting, to say the least.”

I watched his lips as he spoke, remembering how firm and soft they were at the same time. Then I mentally chastised myself for thinking about kissing him when he was clearly upset over his sister.

“But Sophia’s tough. She’ll fare okay,” he added, his posture relaxing as he leaned back against the wall.

Okay, so maybe he wasn’t that torn up after all. Sophia was a big girl, and she was now in the best possible place she could be. We had to stay positive and hope for the best.

“The truth is,” he continued, “it’s not easy to sleep knowing there’s a beautiful woman just down the hall. I couldn’t live with myself if I didn’t at least try…”

His honesty surprised me. As his words hung in the space between us, Ian brought his hand to my cheek, lightly caressing my skin.

His touch awakened a need in me, one I’d been desperate to suppress, and I leaned into his warm palm. His touch felt so good, so right, that I struggled to comprehend why I’d been holding myself back from this for so long. I stepped closer.

His gaze moved between my lips and my eyes. “What about Chris?”

“What about him?”

“He’s your boyfriend, MacKenzie. Shouldn’t he be the one taking care of your needs?” His thumb brushed lightly along my cheekbone, making me dizzy.

I shook my head, my bold gaze not straying from his. If only he knew the truth.

“Not getting enough from Chris?” Ian’s smirk was playful, but his words cut straight through me.

“We haven’t…we’re not…”

Oh dear God, someone please shut me up.

“Wait a second.” His brow crinkled. “You’re not fucking him?”

I flinched at his words, which came out harsh, like an accusation. “No.”

“Why the fuck not?” He straightened, and his hand dropped away from me.

I shrugged. “It hasn’t felt right.”

I don’t want Chris.

“And this?” He motioned between us.

Once again, my gaze latched onto his and refused to wander.

I want you.

As wrong as it was, I couldn’t flat-out lie to him again. I needed to try to deny it and push him away, but the words refused to form in my mouth.

“Fuck it.”

Ian curled a rough palm around the back of my neck and guided my mouth to his. His lips barely brushed against mine. His overt strength took a back seat, and the gentleness of his touch surprised me. His hot breath whispered across my skin, causing little tingles of heat to crackle along my skin and down my spine, pooling low in my belly.

A tiny whimper escaped my throat. I needed more. When his tongue lightly brushed against my lower lip, I opened for him. His tongue flicked along mine, dampening my panties and sweeping away all my good sense.

Sweet memories of his tender kisses and sure, strong hands lifting me flooded my senses with overwhelming desire. The reverence in his hooded eyes as he drank me in lashed back at me from my subconscious. Blood rushed through my veins, and I was dazed with the need to give in. But years of faking inner strength rose to the surface and I pulled a deep, shaky breath into my lungs, forcing myself to let it all go.

Ian wasn’t the type to make a commitment—fighting came first. And I liked him enough that I wouldn’t get in the way of his chance to break into the pros.

“Ian…” I breathed his name, and his lips broke from mine. “We can’t,” I whispered weakly.

He nodded.

“Not right now,” I explained. “You can’t lose focus on your fight.”

His eyes danced on mine. “But after?”

Everything inside me screamed yes. But I sucked my lower lip into my mouth to avoid saying something stupid.

He nodded, and I thought I saw hope in his eyes.

A silent promise hung heavily in the air between us, and I knew we were both thinking the same thing. We couldn’t ignore this explosive chemistry between us forever.

“This isn’t over,” he said, his tone direct and sure.

I stood there motionless as he swiped his thumb across my bottom lip in a tender gesture, then turned away and disappeared into his bedroom.