Linsy grinned faintly, a dazed smile dancing on her lips.

It hurt, just enough to remind her that this wasn't a dream.

Michael Helwart was really crouched in front of her, pressing her feet between his callused palms like he was handling a treasure too fragile to bruise.

She blinked at him through a soft sheen of moisture in her eyes. Michael, ever the composed storm in a business suit, was rubbing her foot with surprising tenderness. For a moment, she thought her heart would simply give ...