As she stalked to me, hands on her hips, I snagged her waist, threw her on the bed, and settled on top of her. “Now, I have you exactly where I want you.”

She made a face.

I kissed her nose. “Good morning, Dee.”

“Let go of me.” There was zero heat in her voice.

“Not until you say good morning.”

She sighed. “Fine. Good the feck morning to you. Happy?”

I kissed her nose again and then trailed to her mouth, glad to find she hadn’t yet brushed her teeth. I didn’t have a problem with morning breath, but maybe she did. She opened her mouth, let me in, and I kissed her softly, gently, and deeply.

“Now, that was nice. After how special I made last night for you, I deserve that kiss, didn’t I?”

She arched an eyebrow, the tension leaving her. Yeah, she just had to get used to me, to the idea ofus. “I made it equally special for you.”

I feigned uncertainty. “Well…I mean, I gave you two spectacular orgasms. I got only one.”

She made a face.

“And I ate you out. You did not return the favor.”

“You were in a big rush to get inside me,” she reminded me.

“Well, I’m hoping you’ll make it up to me tonight.”

“With a blow job?” Her eyes were ready to bug out.

Did she think this would be a one-night stand? Well, I had to disabuse her of that notion right away.

She took a deep breath. “I don’t do this, Jax.”

“You don’t give head?”

She let out a deep breath. “This.”

She was genuinely worried about what this meant. I got it. If I didn’t know how I felt about her, I’d be a mess as well. But I did know. She’d get there eventually, just like I knew the exact distance and the right club to use to sink a birdie putt. Dee was in love with me—it was as certain as the feel of a perfect swing connecting with the ball.

“You’ve got to be more specific, darlin’.” I rested my weight on my forearms, my hands cradling her face. “You don’t do what, exactly? Have sex?”

“I have sex.”

“Then what?”

Her jaw tightened. “What are we doing?”

I didn’t mind that she was confused, but I didn’t like that she was scared.

“You know you’re adorable when you’re trying to avoid your feelings,” I teased.

“What?”

“Darlin’ Dee, what we’re doing is having what they call an old-fashioned romance in the rolling hills of Ireland. I mean, this is all so on point that all we’re missing is the Hallmark background music.”

She frowned. “Hallmark? I swear to God, Jax Caldwell, you confuse me.”

I also know how to make you let your stress go, I thought. I felt like a freaking God to be able to do that for her, divert her mind.