Page 64 of Coming Home Country
He scrubbed a hand over his jaw. “I’m claiming temporary insanity. That’s the only explanation.” Eyes darkening, he took a step forward before he caught himself. “Goddamn, you’re perfect.”
I preened under his praise. Most men I’d been with were more focused on getting theirs. Sure, they appreciated my body and how it could aid intheirsexual gratification, but they’d never stared at it with the reverence that Tucker did now.
Voice gone husky, he said, “Need to get you covered up.”
“Spoilsport,” I teased back.
He offered me a low hum that could have passed for a groan as he stepped toward a dresser along the wall and tossed a T-shirt in my direction.
I caught the soft fabric, unable to keep from bringing it to my nose the same way he’d done with my panties earlier. Ten years later, he smelled the same. His scent invaded my nostrils, soothing the last traces of nervousness over spending a night in his bed.
The shirt hit me at mid-thigh once I slipped it over my head. Hitching a thumb toward the ensuite bathroom, I asked, “Got a spare toothbrush?”
Tucker straightened after dropping his slacks, leaving him only clad in tight-fitting boxer briefs that hugged his thighs and highlighted that he’d gotten hard again at the sight of me naked. “I don’t. Sorry.”
Not sure why I asked. We’d just been swapping spit, so I shouldn’t have batted an eyelash at using his. Maybe it was my covert way of trying to sus out if there had been other women since his divorce.
Nope. Not going there.
“It’s fine.” I tried to keep it breezy as I waltzed into the bathroom.
Breezy flew right out the window when I saw a beautiful freestanding tub set before a picture window. My heart jumped into my throat when I scanned the rest of the stylistic choices—clear glass shower with rainfall showerhead, rustic wood vanity/sink combo topped with marble, barn doors concealing what I knew without looking to be the linen closet.
It shouldn’t have come as a surprise after seeing the kitchen a few days ago, but there was something to be said about witnessing your dream brought to life. Everything in this house was exactly how I wanted it, down to the ranch-style layout because I’d worried about kids taking the stairs too fast and breaking a leg.
Tucker’s warm breath skated along the back of my neck. “It brought me comfort knowing you touched every inch of this house even though I was certain you’d never set foot inside it.”
I spun around in awe of the depth of his devotion, the depth of his love.
“But you know what I realized?”
Stunned beyond words, I only managed to shake my head in response.
“That, until this moment, it was only a house. Having you here makes it a home.”
Good Lord, what was this man doing to me? It was all I could do not to melt into a puddle at his feet.
He jerked his chin toward the massive soaker tub over my shoulder. “Wanna take it for a spin?”
Twisting my head around, I stared longingly at the porcelain beauty, picturing what it would be like to stretch out inside with hot water caressing every inch of my body. It was on the tip of my tongue to tell him,Maybe another time, but I caught myself before I made a promise I wasn’t sure I’d be able to keep.
Turning my attention back to Tucker, I declined his offer. “No, thanks. I’m kinda tired. Plus, we’ve got a big day tomorrow.”
Disappointment flickered over his features, but he covered it quickly, ducking his head as he replied, “That, we do.”
He left me to use the restroom and then switched with me once I was done. When he returned to the bedroom, I was seated on the edge of his neatly made bed.
Tucker arched an eyebrow, likely wondering why I hadn’t crawled beneath the covers. The truth was that I found myself out of my depth, not knowing exactly how he expected my spending the night to go.
“I didn’t know what side of the bed was yours.” My excuse came out weak.
A smile tugged up onto his lips. “Whichever side isn’t yours.”
My brows rose. “What?”
He shrugged. “No matter what the deed says, this isyourhouse, Bex. So you tell me which side of the bed you prefer to sleep on, and I’ll take the opposite.”
With my throat suddenly tight, I croaked out, “The left.”
