Page 44 of Riding the Pine

Her hand slips into mine from behind, and when I turn to face her, she’s wearing an oversized t-shirt and shorts and not the pjs that were on her pillow. I tip my head in question.

“I didn’t want to tease you with something lacy. As much as I’m soaking wet and aching for you, I need sleep.”

Fucking hell this woman is going to be the death of me.

I hiss out a slow breath, shaking my head.

“What?”

“It’s not what you wear that makes me want you, Bright Eyes. I don’t want you any less with your nipples poking through that t-shirt than I would have if they were covered in silk and lace.”

It takes all the strength I have just to kiss her forehead and leave it at that.

I unbuckle the belt on my jeans and drop my pants to the floor. With that movement, I’m not asking her if I can stay, I’m telling her. She might be the big boss lady most of the time, but I refuse to leave her alone tonight, and I refuse to sleep across the hall in the guest room. It’s too fucking far away.

As I pull my shirt over my head, she mutters something under her breath in Spanish that sounds like “my god, you like to test me.” Then she sees it and gasps.

Before I’ve even dropped my shirt onto the floor, her featherlight fingertips graze the space over my heart. Her eyes swim with confusion, curiosity, and another wave of unshed tears.

“What is this… Gizmo?” Her fingers sear my skin as she traces the tattoo of an owl over my heart. I guess we’re doing this now.

“You know what it is.”

She shakes her head. “It can’t be. How long have you had it?”

I shrug. “Since shortly after we met.”

“What if we never got together? What would you tell people?” Her eyes are wide, and her voice breathless as she speaks.

Another shrug and a lazy smile. “That I like owls? That it reminds me of someone I love? Athena was often shown with an owl by her side, Bright Eyes.” I swallow hard. “I guess part of me hoped that someday I’d be your owl. And that you’d be my Athena.”

It sounds stupid now the words have come out of my big mouth, but instead of laughing at me, she leans forward and presses her lips against the inked skin. She slides her armsaround my waist and holds me against her for a long moment. Did she fall asleep? She holds me for so long she may be.

I stand her up, making sure she won’t fall on her face, pull the sheets back from the bed and usher her inside. When she’s in, I climb in after her and make her the little spoon to my big spoon.

For the first time in my life, I feel truly content. And for the first time in my life, I drift off to sleep with the woman I love pressed against my chest.

CHAPTER 19

Athena

The smell of bacon permeates the air and draws me out of unconsciousness. Somehow during the night, Scott and I switched positions, and I was the big spoon. Not my favorite. I don’t remember going to the bathroom but now I’m facing my bedroom door, and he’s curled around me like a heat-radiating big spoon.

At least, it better be Scott whose chest is pressed against my back, whose arm is bolted around my waist. There’s literally no chance of me moving without waking him, or at least alerting him, and from the way his nose is buried in my hair I think that’s exactly what he had planned.

Listening to his snuffly little snores as his heavy breath tickles my face is the most satisfying feeling. A deep peace washed over me last night when we lay down to sleep and is still here this morning.

And credit where credit is due, getting into bed with someone you’ve been in love with for years and not even copping a feel? This man is a fucking saint. The urge to grind against his cock struck last night but he’s right, when we do it, it’s not going to be because Apollo almost died and made me panic. Panic sex isn’tfun for anyone. And considering how long we’ve waited to even kiss, the sex needs to be just right.

A squeaky floorboard alerts me to a potential intruder, and I snap my eyes open. Artemis stands in my bedroom doorway, a small, knowing smile on his face. He doesn’t look at all shocked or dismayed to have found his big sister in bed with his half-naked best friend curled around her.

“Nothing happened.” I don’t know why the first thing I feel the need to do is defend myself and say that we didn’t do anything.

Artemis rolls his eyes. “It’s about fucking time, Hen. Breakfast’s ready.” He speaks loudly enough for Scott to stir behind me, and when he shifts his weight away from me I kind of miss being poked in the ass by his raging morning wood.

“Mmmmm.” He mumbles, still close enough to be buried in my wayward hair. “Morning, Bright Eyes.” He’s smiling before he even opens his eyes, and he presses his lips against my cheek. He tries to turn my head to kiss me, either he doesn’t know Artemis is here, or he doesn’t care.

I clap my hand over my mouth with a shriek. “I didn’t brush my teeth last night.”

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