She could barely get words through it at all. “I love you,” she whispered miserably. His jaw tautened. “No.” Her eyes lowered to his bare chest. “Are you…so certain?” “Certain enough.” He moved her over him and off the bed. “If you’ve never been intimate with anyone, it’s easy to delude yourself into thinking physical attraction is love. I know. I did that once. But it doesn’t last,” he added quietly, his dark eyes cutting into hers. “This is nothing more than an interlude, and my fault. I shouldn’t have touched you.” She looked down at him with anguish. He wanted sex and she wanted love. It was an impossible situation, and he was right. She should go home. She turned away toward the door. “I’ll get my things packed,” she said. “I didn’t mean you have to leave today,” he said tersely. Good God, what was wrong with him, he thought furiously. He knew it was the best thing all around, for her to go quickly. But the thought of her leaving was like a knife in his chest.
