Page 54 of Bottles & Blades

His mouth curves. “Really.”

“I didn’t snore or anything?”

“No, baby.”

“And you weren’t cold?”

“How could I be cold when I was cuddled up next to you?”

My cheeks heat. “I just know that sometimes I talk in my sleep and?—”

“Christ.” He brushes his lips over mine. “You’re even sweeter half asleep.”

“I’m not half asleep,” I tell him.

“So you’re just this sweet?”

“I—” I pause, trying to figure out a good answer to that, and when I don’t, he leans close.

“How am I going to pay back this much sweet?”

“You could always kiss me again.”

He smiles, humor dancing in bright blue eyes, but when he doesn’t lower his mouth to mine I just content myself with stroking my hand through his hair. He’s likely got a full day ahead of him, so even just lying here like this feels like a precious moment.

“Is it time for lunch yet?” I ask softly, the sun high in the sky, much higher than I would normally see upon waking, reminding me that I slept in far later than normal too.

Not that I mind.

I’m more refreshed than I’ve been in weeks.

And that kiss…I tuck it down deep to keep it safe.

It was beautiful.

It was more than just lips and tongues and teeth?—

He leans over me, one hand on the mattress near my head, the other trailing up along my side. “No,” he murmurs, “it’s not time for lunch.”

“Do you need to work for a while?” I ask. “I can always meet you later if you’re too busy.”

“Buttercup?”

My throat works. “Yeah?”

“It’s not time for lunch.”

He slants his mouth over mine, taking advantage of my parted lips, my mouth preparing to ask him “Then what is it time for?” And if the kiss before was soft and sweet, this one is a spark in a forest of dry tinder.

One flash and I’m alight.

“Mmm,” I moan, my fingers diving deeper into his hair.

He presses into me, pushing me back into the mattress, rolling over me, the blankets a tangle between us. His knee guides my legs apart and he settles against me.

I gasp.

The sensation is intense—he’s on top of me, surrounding me, pressing into me…drawing my legs up and around his waist.

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