Hero by Night by Sara Jane Stone

not who we thought we were.
    Hope blossomed. Maybe she had it in her too. Maybe she’d prove to the ­people who’d written her off as broken that she could glue the pieces back together.
    â€œYeah, I guess we do.” His brown eyes studied her, brooding and intense. His jaw tightened, his gaze dropping to her lips. His fingers gripped the steering wheel as if he had to hold on to something to keep from reaching for her.
    Desire—­spurred by the knowledge that this man didn’t expect any more than she could give—­took over. She opened the passenger side door, but didn’t move to get out. As soon as Hero jumped down, she closed it and turned back to Chad.
    She focused on his lips, unable to look away. If she kissed him, that empty feeling might return. Right now, she felt a rush of emotions when she was with Chad. He put her at ease and made her laugh.
    â€œLena?”
    She raised one hand, pressing a finger to his lips. Moving her hand to his cheek, she leaned forward until her mouth hovered close to his. She wanted this kiss even if tomorrow she freaked out at the thought of touching her lips to his. Even if it left her wishing she could run and hide, or that horrible numb feeling she’d endured for so many months returned and she shunned everyone again, she wanted to take the leap.
    Closing her eyes, she brushed her lips over his—­a soft touch, nothing more. But this kiss—­it didn’t feel meaningless. Her heart raced, but it wasn’t headed for panic central. The blood flowing through her didn’t freeze. Just the opposite. Every part of her burned with desire for more.
    She kissed him again, opening her mouth to his, deepening the connection. And he didn’t back down. His lips moved over hers, vying for control, letting her feel his desire, his need—­it was potent and demanding, a perfect match for the wild lust pulsing through her.
    Maybe they could take this further, making love here, in his truck . . .
    Uncertainty rose up, and she felt her breathing change. The panic she’d fought at the pizza place had receded, but it hadn’t disappeared. She could feel it waiting on the sidelines.
    Chad drew back, breaking the kiss as if he understood that they’d reached an imaginary tipping point. Staring into her eyes, his lips curved into his devilish smile. “Why don’t you head in, Lena?”
    â€œYou’re not coming?”
    He let out a short, rough laugh. “No, beautiful. Not tonight. But I left your present on your nightstand in case you want to.”
    I don’t want the toy. I want you. But her mind knew better. Tonight wasn’t the night to push her boundaries. Not when she was inching her way toward normal.
    â€œI’ve had enough excitement for one night,” he added. “I’ll keep the headlights on so you can get inside. And I’ll see you at the house in the morning.”
    She nodded as she opened the door and climbed down from his truck.
    â€œAnd Lena?”
    She glanced over her shoulder, her dog pressing against her side the minute her feet touched the ground.
    â€œDream of me.”

 
    Chapter 9
    C HAD LEANED HIS head back against the tiles, the water rushing over him. Daylight poured in the small tempered glass window. Eyes closed, his mind revisited last night, in the studio, before pizza. The way her hands moved over her breasts, the soft, needy sounds she’d made, her pleas for more—­
    â€œChad! Where are you? I swear, when I find you . . .”
    A familiar female voice echoed in the hall, stealing him away from the fantasy. The door swung open, the brass knob hitting the tiled wall. The wimpy hook Brody had installed to give them the illusion of privacy proved to be no match for the ranting, raving woman who’d invaded the bathroom.
    â€œIs it true?” Katie demanded.
    Chad pulled back the curtain just enough to show his face,