The message from Ryan changed the air in the house.

Elena read it three times before setting the phone down. Could be home in a couple days. The words sat in her stomach like a stone. Grant stood behind her at the counter, one hand still resting on her hip, the heat of his palm seeping through her shirt. Neither of them spoke for a long moment.

Then he turned her around, gripped her jaw, and kissed her hard.

There was nothing careful about it. The kiss was hungry and edged with something almost angry — at the limited time, at the situation, at how much he still wanted her...