KAREN POV

I started to get up and stopped when he reached out, his gaze intent on mine.

"Don't" he started, then swallowed, his gaze darting away from mine. "You don't have to get up"

My face flushed and the prickly feeling in my neck intensified despite the frigid air.

"Don't you like me anymore?" I asked and he shook his head, even though the action caused him a bit of discomfort.

"I like you a lot, Karen. You have no idea how hard it has been for me to have you so close and not be able ...