Always On Her Mind. Emily McKay

prescription is just on an as-needed basis. And while I needed help yesterday, today’s been a good day.”

      He sat beside her, his warm, hard thigh pressing against her. “When did the panic attacks start? Is that okay to ask?”

      Gathering her thoughts grew tougher with the brush of his leg against hers. “I had trouble with postpartum depression after … The doctor said it was hormonal, and while the stress didn’t help, it wasn’t the sole cause—” she pointed at him “—so don’t start blaming yourself.”

      He clasped a hand around her finger, enfolding her hand in his. “Easier said than done.”

      “You are absolved.” She squeezed gently, her heart softening the rest of the way for this man. She’d never had any luck resisting him, and she wondered why she’d ever assumed now would be different. “And I mean that.”

      “After what happened yesterday, I’m not so sure I can buy into that.” Guilt dug deep furrows in his lean face.

      “You have to.” She cupped his cheek in her palm, the bristle of his late-day beard a seductive abrasion against her palm. Until, finally, she surrendered to the inevitable they’d been racing toward since the minute he’d walked back into her life again. “Because I desperately want to make love with you, and that’s not going to happen if you’re feeling guilty or sorry for me.”