He wasn’t indifferent in the least. If anything he was painfully aware of his fears and needs.

“At least you’re self-aware.”

The corner of his mouth lifted. “I was sure you’d argue with me, try to tell me what a great dad I’d be.”

And he would be, she thought. It’s why she’d wanted more than anything to be with him and raise a family with him. He was the ultimate hero, the ultimate protector. He was her ideal man. Sadie’s eyes burned, and her throat threatened to seal closed.

She was thankful her voice sounded steady and even. “I think it’s better, to be honest than have a family and walk out on them.”

His smile disappeared. His chiseled jaw jutted. “I’d never walk out on my family.”

“Are you worried you wouldn’t be affectionate?”

There was nothing friendly or approachable about him now. His eyes narrowed, his expression flinty. “That wouldn’t be an issue, not with me. I’d talk to them all the time, and hold them every chance I could.”

“Then what is the problem?”

“I think I’d just love them too much.”

Chapter Six

He’d love them too much.

Those five words said it all, revealing the painful truth of who he was and what he’d lived through and how he’d survived.

She’d known the tragedy had scarred him, marked him, and he rode bulls to escape. He courted danger nightly because it was the only way he knew how to manage the loss and his grief. In that moment, she thought she’d never loved him more, but it wasn’t something she could say, or would ever say. He wasn’t a man that wanted tenderness, and she couldn’t imagine trying to get close to him only to be abandoned later when the intimacy suffocated him.

And so Sadie stayed silent, and when the waitress asked them if they wanted dessert, they said no at the same time. Rory handed the waitress several folded bills to cover lunch, and then they were on the street, saying what felt like a very awkward goodbye.

Sadie was certain he was regretting everything about lunch, from sharing his feelings to offering to take her to the Stroll tonight. She hated to think he now felt obligated. He was definitely not obligated.

“If you want to pass on tonight, I totally get it,” she said, stumbling over the words. “It would probably be better if I stayed in and got caught up—” She broke off as he reached for her, tugging her away from the curb as a motorcycle zoomed by.

“You’re not backing out, darlin’,” he said, releasing her elbow. “I’m picking you up. Just give me the address, and I’ll be there.”

“Things seem a little weird between us.”

“Things are a lot of weird, but we’ll sort it out. I’m not worried.”

“Today’s craziness doesn’t throw you?”

“You know what I do for a living, right?”

This was why the man had legions of fans who lined up at venues all across America to meet him. He was successful, determined, and confident. Seriously confident. And confidence was sexy.

She didn’t want to smile but couldn’t keep her lips from curving. “Good enough, but I think it’d be better if we met downtown this evening. I’m checking a guest later, and they’re going to pick up the keys and information from the office at six. It shouldn’t take long. Ten minutes or so.”

“Why doesn’t Natalie do it?”

“She has a dinner date, and then she’s working the booth on Main Street.”

“Fine.