Page 116 of His North Star
“You ready for this match?” Ty asked.
“Sure.” I shrugged. I’d watched more rugby the last two weeks than I’d ever wanted to. It was an easy way for us to spend time together, and it kept Ty’s mind off the pain. As the opening play began, the doorbell rang.
“Oh, that must be the package I’ve been expecting.” I quickly put the tray on the oversized gray ottoman in front of Ty and ran to answer the door.
A man in blue work coveralls, holding a clipboard, stood on the porch. “Are you Maren Meyers?”
“Yes.”
“We have the bedframe and mattress you ordered. Do we need to remove anything before we bring this in?”I shook my head. “No. Let me go clear the way for you real quick and you can bring everything up.”
“Just open the door when you’re ready.”
“Will do. Thanks.” I ran to the guestroom I’d taken over, pulling the air mattress out of that room and wrestling it into the empty bedroom across the hall. Back in what I dubbed my room, I threw the blankets in the closet, cleaning the floor for the new bed I’d ordered. I figured if I was going to keep staying here while Ty recovered, it was worth getting a comfortable night’s sleep. Besides, if things went the way I hoped they would, this bedroom set would come in handy when we had kids of our own in the future.
After directing the delivery men to the correct room, they quickly set up the white double-bed frame and settled the mattresses on top. They left an hour after they arrived.
I bounded down the stairs, pleased my back would have a comfortable resting place tonight. Settling next to Ty, I picked up the popcorn bowl.
His lips lifted on one side while his brow furrowed. “What was that all about?”
I shrugged. “I was tired of the air mattress.”
“And you thought it was okay to just buy furniture for my house without consulting me?”
I put the bowl back on the ottoman, twisting to face him. “First off, we both know you bought this house forus,so don’t pretend otherwise. Second, my back and hips are dying on that air mattress. As much as I love playing nursemaid, I need a softer place to sleep, otherwise I need to return to my apartment out of necessity.”
His eyes twinkled, his lips smug. “You can always join me in my bed.”
I folded my arms across my chest. “Considering how much pain you’re still in, fat chance. Also, that”—I pointed to the ceiling where the master was—“is not happening until we’re married.”
“Married, you say?” His eyes turned dark as he lustfully stared at me.
“Yes.”
We hadn’t kissed since the hospital, and after that toe-curling venture, waiting for him to say he was ready had taken every ounce of restraint. But healing Ty took priority. Of course, we cuddled as much as we were able with Ty’s injuries. But I was sticking to my promise. As hard as it had been, I wouldn’t kiss Ty until he was ready.
“Come here.” He patted the foot of space between us on the couch. I tucked myself into his right side. He cupped my cheek while gazing into my eyes, my soul. His eyes jumped down to my lips, then back up. “Maren?” he said huskily.
“Hmm?” I murmured, lost in his forest green-and gold-speckled eyes.
“I’d like to kiss you now.”
My lower abdomen tightened, followed by a trail of heat dancing around. “Please do.”
He leaned down until our lips brushed softly. A slight tremor rippled across my body. He pulled back, and I followed his retreating mouth. Was that really all he was offering? I caught his bottom lip between my teeth, halting his movement.Ha! Try to get away from me now.
Ty’s hand slid from my cheek to my back. I looped my arms around his neck, gently pulling him closer. Our lips parted and heat radiated like the Sahara Desert in my chest and neck.Holy guacamole.
He tasted like chocolate, popcorn, and happiness. Ty deepened the kiss, and I couldn’t stop myself from climbing onto his lap to get better access to his mouth. I had to be closer to him. To taste more of him. Stardust fluttered around my stomach. My need for Ty grew stronger and stronger.
Ty earned his black belt in kissing, and I would spend the rest of my life catching up to his level. I leaned forward until Ty’s back was pushed into the cushions. I couldn’t get enough, hovering on the brink of pushing for more, barely restraining myself as my stomach continued to tighten.
Ty’s mouth moved to my jaw, down my neck, leaving kisses along the way. I inhaled sharply as tingles erupted down my spine. Ty’s low laugh against my skin broke the spell. “I like knowing I have an effect on you.”
I caught his lips once more. “You absolutely do.”
Ty kissed me hard on the lips, then dropped his head.
