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“Possibly.”

He took a step closer before he caught himself. Already his first inclination was to offer her comfort. The attitude shift was so strange, and yet somehow, exactly right. Still, he didn’t want her assuming he’d demand more physical contact than she was ready for, so he held his ground.

“If something comes up, you have an entire Inn to work with. We don’t have to host anyone here.”

Her shoulders relaxed. “Sorry, I’m all over the place tonight. I don’t mean to overreact. You’re free to change your mind about all of this,” she said, gesturing at herself.

If that was supposed to indicate she was some kind of turn off, she was doing it all wrong. Probably not the best time to mention it. He recognized doubts haunting her gaze now. “I’m in. Until you tell me to go,” he reminded her.

The glossy black curls framing her face swayed as she shook her head. “It’s just—” She glanced at the door and her suitcase, then back to him. “This is such an extreme imposition.”

He shrugged. “For both of us, right?”

Her mouth opened and snapped shut. The smile that followed was slow and shy. “I hadn’t thought of it like that. I guess it is.” She studied him. “Why are you doing it?”

He checked his watch, tipping his head toward the door. “We need to get moving if we’re going to make the plane.”

“In a minute.” She took a deep breath, drawing his attention to her full breasts. “Please, Rhett. I don’t want to make you miserable. Make either of us miserable. Tell me, you’re sure.”

“I’m sure.” He spread his arms. “You need an ally. I’m available and happy to step up.”

Her smile grew. “You’re very strange.”

“Is that a compliment?”

“It wasn’t an insult.” She waved him over. “Let me show you the rest of the suite before we go. If you have furniture or things that will make you comfortable,” she continued, “I’m happy to make room.”

He glanced around. “I like what you’ve got here.” She’d created a warm and inviting home. “I’ll need a place to work. Nothing elaborate. We can confiscate an extra table or I can order something.” He wasn’t picky. His top priority was her.

He followed her away from the central living area, turning down a short hallway. He’d known the suite was in the corner of the building, but he was surprised to see a full bathroom on one side and antique French doors on the other.

She pointed to the plain door at the end of the hallway. “The back door. Exits straight into a service hall.”

“For sneaky getaways?”

Her nose wrinkled. “Let’s hope not.” She opened the French doors and stepped back. “I use it as an office now. Do you think this would suit you? As a dual-purpose office and bedroom, I mean.”

“I can definitely work with this,” he managed.

This close, her scent was distracting—sweet, warm spices enhanced by the salty ocean air. It reminded him of being a kid and running around during the big Thanksgiving dinners at his grandparents’ place across the river on Sullivan’s Island.

“When we get back, I’ll move my things to the bedroom. The daybed in here is new, but we can move it out and request a roll-away bed if you prefer.”

He managed not to cringe at the thought of sleeping on the daybed indefinitely. But she hadn’t taken this step because she wanted to marry him for real, only to protect herself. “Requesting a roll-away is likely to blow a hole in the happily married vibe we’re going for.”

“Oh, right.” She took a breath. “Well, the wi-fi signal is great throughout the whole place,” she added. “And if you want a different desk, that’s no biggie.”

The desk reminded him a bit of the table her grandmother had gifted her. “This one isn’t from your family?”

She shook her head and tucked her hair back behind her ears again. “It was in storage. With the Inn’s history, there are plenty of styles and eras to choose from.”

His fingers itched to touch her, to outline the shape of her full lower lip or follow those glossy locks as they curled around her ear. Her habitual movement was such a small thing, and still he found himself wishing he had the privilege of doing it himself.

He could almost feel the heavy silk of her hair sifting through his fingers, brushing over his bare skin as he held her close.Down boy. That was getting way too far ahead of the situation.

“We should go,” he said abruptly. “We can discuss this on the flight. Whatever we decide, I want you to be comfortable too.”

Her soft humming sound of agreement rippled across his senses. Not the time to get distracted. He took her suitcase and she grabbed a sweater, her purse, and her keys from the bowl.