Emily hated that she knew Eddie was right. She didn’t want him that night. It wasn’t about him, or even her, it was all about Nick. That was why she drank so much, why she’d stripped for Eddie. He was an even better man than she’d known. He cared enough to hurt her and risk her temper so he didn’t destroy their friendship.

“Thank you,” she finally said.

Eddie’s eyes snapped to hers, curiosity and tenderness shining bright.

“If you… like me… it couldn’t have been easy to tell me no when I was throwing my naked self at you. Unless… unless you were completely turned off by me. Oh, shit,” Emily groaned. The world spun and she thought she was going to vomit. He was repulsed by her. She’d always been a little shy about her figure, not comfortable with the few extra pounds and curves she carried. It hadn’t prevented her from sex before, but she’d seen the women Eddie went out with, women who made her look, and feel, like a Mack truck.

Before the tears brimming her eyes could fall Emily darted for the door. Eddie was fast and she could hear him moving behind her, but she ran, praying she could get out of there before he caught her.

Her hand turned the doorknob and relief filled her. Then her heart sunk as his body pressed against her back, his palm pressing the door closed in front of her.

“You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, in or out of clothes. You could weigh twice what you do, three times, and I’d still be just as attracted to you,” Eddie growled in her ear. The heat of his body coated her back until she felt him, hard, against her lower back. She gasped.

“You feel that, don’t you. Dammit, Emily, it took every last bit of strength in me to say no to you that night. It’s taken me every bit of strength to not pull you into my arms and keep you there forever. If I thought, for even one second, that it was what you wanted I would do it. In a heartbeat.”

Emily sucked in a breath, desperate to fill her lungs. When she did his scent filled her, made her head spin. Dizzy, she leaned back into him, her body tight against his, and took strength from him.

Eddie’s arm circled her waist and pulled her tight to him, guiding her to the couch. He gently lowered her to the cushions and kneeled in front of her. “Are you okay, sweetheart?”

Emily nodded. “Yeah, I think so.”

“I’m sorry I came on so strong, but I don’t want you to think I don’t want you, or that you aren’t perfect. I’ve never wanted anyone as much as I want you.”

“Me, too,” Emily said softly.