Page 63 of Some Like It Hot

And when she’d caught up to him, grabbing him and pulling him around, he’d told her that she was better off without him.

What?

Yes, they’d had that fight in low tones in the yard of Sky King ranch. She’d barely talked him into joining them at the Midnight Sun—an offer sweetened by the fact that Larke had let him drive one of her brothers’ motorcycles. Which meant that Skye got to ride behind him, her hands wrapped around his firm torso.

She wasn’t letting him go, no matter what he said.

Or how far he stalked away from her and the building.

She caught up to him, grabbing his arm. “Rio!”

He whirled around. Came back at her, eyes flashing. “What, Skye? What do you think happens next?” His eyes were nearly reddened, as if he’d been fighting some errant emotions.

His intensity rocked her back. “I don’t know. I…just, let’s go inside.”

He gave a her a hard look. Shook his head. “I don’t belong in there. With your team. Withyou.”

She stared at her. “What do you mean, with me? Of course you—”

“Look at you!” He stepped away from her. “You look about sixteen—”

“I’m twenty-four.”

“And I’m thirty.”

“So?”

He dragged a hand through his tousled black hair, shook his head. “And I don’t know what I was thinking out there. Just…that you needed my protection—”

“I did need your protection. But I’m not a child, Rio. I know what I’m doing.”

“I know.” He held up his hand as if to push away her words. Cut his voice low. “I saw you fighting fire the past two days, Skye. You’re amazing, brave, capable, strong. But…we live in different worlds.”

“You said you wanted a different world.”

He flinched.

Looked away.

Took a breath.

She touched her hand to his chest, his heart thundering under her palm.

“What’s going on, Rio?”

He looked at her, and the pain in his eyes could make her wince. “You’re just so…so good, Skye. Clean and pretty and…young. You don’t need me in your life.”

She blinked at him. “But…I want you.” And she put so much fierceness into her voice, she shocked herself. “I want you, Rio. And not just because you saved my life but because you help me remember that God shows up. He provides exactly what I need, when I need it. And I need you.”

He touched her arms. He stared at her, swallowed. And his voice fell. “And I need you.” He closed his eyes. “So much, it hurts.”

“Then—”

“But I shouldn’t, Skye. Because…” He opened his eyes. “Look at me. I’m…not a hero. I’m…you need to be with someone in there.” He gestured to the bar and grill. “One of your smokejumpers. Someone brave and heroic—”

“You’re brave and heroic—”

“Someone who looks brave and heroic. Not someone people immediately think is going to rob them!”