Pilar dressed quickly and with a last splash of water on her face hoped the bracing cold would fortify her courage. She needed to confront Max—again. She'd let her defenses down and spent the most incredible night of her life with him. Already she felt the bite of reality—he could break her heart. This couldn't happen again.
Inhaling a calming breath, she left the bathroom. Max's bed was made, but he wasn't in the room—so much for garnering her courage. She stepped onto the porch to see him leaning against the side of the cabin. He had to have heard her open the door, but he didn't turn around or say anything.
She cleared her throat. "Max, I want you to know that last night was incredible." Her voice broke and he turned to look at her. The stupid tears she'd been holding back moistened her cheeks. Swiping at them, she continued, "But I really want you to keep your distance from me. Even though it's my fault that it happened, I don't want anything like that to happen again." She forged on with what had to be said. "I…" She tried again, "I'm not the kind of woman who can deal with casual sex. When I married, I thought it was forever. I thought Parker and I would raise a family, have a beautiful life with our children and grandchildren, grow old together…" She paused and Max's gaze never waivered from hers. "I want the white picket fence and the adoring husband." She gave a sad smile. "As you've seen, I only have half of that dream." She glanced toward the towering cliffs across from the cabin. "If we had an affair, you'd only break my heart. You and I both know that as soon as your commitment to your grandfather is over, you're gone."
She brought pleading eyes back to his and registered his understanding. He said, "As difficult as it will be, I promise to keep my distance. I care too much for you to bring you sadness."
Turning to reenter the cabin, Pilar paused with her back to Max. "Thank you for repairing my car, but please don't try to fix my life again. I'd insist on repaying you, but I know it wouldn't do any good." Quickly, she opened the door. Her heart was already breaking and there was nothing she could do about it.