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"So?"
His eyes became darker. "That's it," he said. "That's the only reason I have. If it's not enough…" he shrugged. "Then we're going to have to get naked as soon as Annie's asleep tonight."
Her heart started racing. "No."
"Why not? Because I couldn’t come up with a reason."
She let out her breath. "Because it scares me."
He didn't release his gaze. "All the more reason," he said softly. "It scares the hell out of me, too."
"Really?"
He nodded.
"Why?"
He glanced outside at the dog again, and she knew he wanted to come to her. But he didn't. He stayed where he was needed to keep everyone safe. "It scares me because I have worked hard to isolate myself, aside from my family. I don't want to want or need anyone."
"Right? I completely agree. It's a good way to live."
"That's what I always thought. But it feels so damn good to want you. I fucking love that you make me want you, that you make me scared, that you make me softer, and, at the same time, make me so tense I feel like my neck's going to snap."
Oh, Lordy. "That's a lot."
"It's only the start." He paused. "I hope."
There was so much tension between them that she felt like she would get her hand stuck in it if she reached out to the air in front of her. "What does that mean?"
He paused, his gaze surveying her. "I think I'll save the explanation for later."
"How about now?" The start of what? What was he thinking? "You aren't looking past this time are you? That we could keep going, even though we haven't even started yet?"
He glanced outside to look at the dog, then slowly returned his gaze to her.
He said nothing.
"Jacob? What did you mean?"
"Not sure you want to know."
"I do." Did she? Her heart was racing so fast that maybe she didn't want to know. But she did. If she fell for him, she wanted to know if it would be safe. Was he thinking of more? Would he be there with his hands out to catch her if she let herself go? If her heart took her to places she didn't want to go?
"I think," he said slowly, clearly weighing his words, "that you and I—"
At that moment, Annie opened the bedroom door, rubbing her eyes. "Mommy. I'm hungry."
Disappointment flooded Phoebe, and she felt like screaming. Seriously? Jacob flashed her a grin, looking irritatingly satisfied with the interruption.
Men. So annoying.
Phoebe made a face at him then turned to her daughter, who was shuffling down the hall. "Hey, baby. How about waffles for breakfast?"
She nodded. "Waffles are good---" Then she saw Jacob in the doorway, and she brightened. "Uncle Jacob! You're still here!"
He gave Annie his full attention. "I'm always here. I live here."
"Yay!" She bounded across the living room, rushed right past him, and ran outside, shrieking with delight as she ran into the yard and called her dog.
