Free Dare to Hold by Carly Phillips Page B

family name and status than me. But at the time, I didn’t really care. I thought I loved her, and I wanted her to be happy. What I didn’t realize was that she hated me being a cop and thought I’d eventually give it up because she wanted me to.” He shook his head. “I wouldn’t, and we had many arguments over my hours and my job.”
    Meg let out a relieved breath. Because he’d only thought he’d loved his ex and because he was giving up being a cop now and his ex had nothing to do with why.
    He reached out and toyed with a long strand of her hair. “What’s going on in that beautiful head of yours?”
    She glanced up at him and smiled. “That’s a secret.” And she wasn’t about to reveal she’d been jealous.
    His frown and the warning in his dark gaze promised retribution of the most sensual kind, and she squirmed in her seat.
    “The house?” she reminded him.
    “Right. Umm, things changed between us, and I decided we needed more space.”
    “Changed how?” Meg asked.
    He grasped her hand and ran his thumb over the pulse point in her wrist. Her sex spasmed, and she swallowed a moan.
    “I want to tell you,” he said. “I just don’t think this is the right time. Can you trust me and will you wait?”
    She drew a deep breath. Now she was even more curious, but if he wanted time, she’d give it to him. “Okay. Yes. I can wait. Can I see the house though?”
    His expression lightened and he nodded. “Let’s go.”
    He opened the garage with a remote on his vehicle and came around to her side of the car, helping her out. He clasped her hand and led her through the garage. They walked directly into a laundry room that doubled as a mudroom, with hooks for jackets and a high-end washer and dryer along the far wall.
    She still used the laundry room in her building, pumping money in to do her clothes, and this setup made her mouth water. Especially since she’d be trudging up and down with a baby in her arms … somehow, anyway. She preferred not to think about the details that were still seven months away and completely overwhelming.
    They stepped into a white ceramic-tiled hallway, passed a powder room, and ended up in a massive great room that led to a backyard with a pool protected by gates surrounding the glistening water, and a gorgeous patio with padded furniture and a stone built-in grill.
    “Scott, this is beautiful.”
    He strode up behind her and wrapped his arms around her, his body hot. “You really like it?”
    What’s not to like, she wondered. “I love it. Really.”
    She spun around, taking in the comfortable furniture, a deep maroon sectional L-shaped couch meant more for comfort than show, a huge table in front of it, and a recliner nearby. A fireplace with a large-screen TV sat in front of the sofa, and the décor was simple and tasteful.
    “Did your ex decorate?” she asked.
    He placed a soft kiss on her neck, causing her to shiver. “No. I didn’t move in until after the divorce.”
    Her breath left her in a rush. That mattered, she realized, although she wasn’t certain why.
    “Someday we’re going to christen this place,” he said, his husky tone a promise that turned her body to liquid desire. “But not today, unfortunately. Make yourself comfortable; look around. I’ll run up, change, and be right back.”
    She knew he’d showered at her place. His hair had been damp when he’d come into the kitchen. “Go ahead. I’m fine.” He kissed her again and headed toward a staircase on the far side of the house.
    She drew in a deep breath and took in this beautifully decorated, expensive home. More than ever, she was certain she needed to watch her heart. Because a man like Scott, who had everything going for him, was way out of her league.

Chapter Five
    S cott returned from the bedroom with a small duffel bag in his hand to leave in his car. He didn’t want to get stuck at Meg’s place again without clean clothes, and he wasn’t leaving her alone unless he was