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arrived at the house earlier and come into the downstairs nursery, she’d felt so many emotions that they’d tumbled over each other. Yes, she’d been embarrassed. But she’d also felt a little proud. Only a few moments had passed until she’d realized she should feel embarrassed. And then she had.
    As they’d put the babies to bed, though, the situation had seemed right. Mitch handled them so well…so comfortably…so like a father. Sometimes she could see the affection he felt for them. But other times, he removed himself.
    Like now.
    He fell into step beside her as she left the nurseryand walked down the hall to her bedroom. At her door, she was ready to say good-night, ready to fall into bed, exhausted from the stress, the worry and the joy of bringing the babies home today. Yet a simple good-night didn’t seem adequate and when she gazed into Mitch’s eyes, she couldn’t look away.
    He seemed to have the same problem.
    There was something about him standing there, perfectly still, his shoulders wide enough to block the doorway, his height filling the space. Maybe it was the sight of him without his tie and with the first few buttons of his white shirt open. Maybe it was her reaction to the black chest hair peeking out. Maybe she thought about all he’d done for her. Maybe, for just a short time, she gave in to the thought that she might need someone to watch out for her. She only knew that thoughts weren’t running through her brain as fast as heat was flashing through her body. She wasn’t thinking at all when she leaned forward. Rather, she was feeling and wishing and hoping and remembering what it had felt like to be held by a man.
    Her babies were so little. Her life had been torn apart. In the midst of caring for her girls and forging ahead, her attraction to Mitch seemed to be a living, breathing entity that at that moment she couldn’t deny.
    When his strong arms enfolded her, she felt safe. As he murmured her name, she felt cared for. He lowered his head and she lifted her chin. Their lips met.
    Lily’s senses whirled and she couldn’t deny a longing that came from deep within. As Mitch’s mouth opened over hers, she lost all sense of time and place. All she cared about was now, the rush of wanting, the scent ofMitch that was new and exciting, the thrill of feeling like a woman again.
    Suddenly her womb tightened as it did when she nursed the babies. Troy’s daughters.
    What in God’s name was she doing?
    As suddenly as the kiss began, she tore away. The expression on Mitch’s face told her he knew why. She clamped her hand over her lips and tears rushed to her eyes. She saw that determined look come over Mitch and she couldn’t face it, not tonight.
    â€œTalk to me, Lily,” he coaxed gently.
    She shook her head. “I can’t. Not now. Maybe in the morning.”
    â€œDo you want to let us both stew all night when what you need is sleep?”
    â€œIt was a mistake.”
    He sighed. “Maybe that’s one of the things we need to talk about.”
    When she remained silent, he stroked a tear from her cheek, finally agreeing. “All right. Go to bed. I’ll be here if you need help with the babies during the night.”
    â€œMitch, I’m sorry.”
    He put his finger gently over her lips.
    Backing into her room, she closed the door. She heard his boots on the wooden floorboards, his tread as he walked down the stairs. Then she collapsed on her bed, not even taking her clothes off, shutting her eyes and praying sleep would come quickly.
    Â 
    The following morning, Mitch made scrambled eggs while Angie and Lily fed the twins in the upstairs nursery.
    He’d crossed the line last night. He’d known physicalcontact with Lily was taboo. But it hadn’t been until his lips had touched hers that he’d realized how truly vulnerable she was.
    He’d damaged their relationship and he