Page 79 of Thunder's Reckoning
I ain’t never had that before.
I eased a hand through her hair, slow, careful not to wake her yet. Softer than it looked, thick and wild. She sighed in her sleep, curled tighter into me, slingin’ a leg over mine, skin to skin.
My chest ached. Not the hurtin’ kind, the kind that reminded a man he was feelin’ somethin’ he thought was buried six feet deep.
How the hell’d she tear through every wall I’d spent years buildin’?
She stirred, fingers flexin’ against my ribs. Took in a deep breath like she wasn’t ready to leave her dream. Then her lips parted, voice soft, barely there.
“Zeke…”
I dropped my gaze. Her eyes still shut, lips flushed and full, stealin’ the rest of the air from my lungs.
“Yeah, baby,” I rasped.
Her lashes lifted, and when she smiled at me—fuck if it didn’t wreck me clean through.
“You’re still here,” she whispered.
“Not goin’ nowhere.”
She shifted higher against me, body pressin’ to mine, mouth findin’ the corner of my jaw, slidin’ lower. Her hand skimmed down my stomach, nails draggin’ just enough to make me hiss.
I caught her at the nape, pulled her into a kiss, slow, deep, the kind that spoke promises a man couldn’t put words to. She hooked her leg over my hip, breath catchin’ when I rolled her with me, heat sparkin’ all over again—
And that’s when the damn door creaked open.
“Momma, I—” Zara’s little voice cut off quick.
I froze. Sable went stiff beneath me.
Zara stood in the doorway, hair stickin’ up every which way, clutchin’ her stuffed animal. Her big eyes blinked wide, then narrowed, suspicion lightin’ fast.
Shit.
I sat up quick, draggin’ the sheet over us. Sable grabbed it too, cheeks burnin’, hair a wild mess.
“What is it, sweetheart?” she asked gentle, like nothin’ was wrong.
“I’m hungry,” Zara said, shufflin’ further in.
Sable cleared her throat, clutchin’ the sheet to her collarbone. “Okay, go on back in your room with Malik, and I’ll be there once I’m dressed.”
Zara tilted her head, then giggled at me. “Malik said you liked our Momma!” She hugged that stuffed animal tighter, gave us a look far too grown for her age, and marched right back out, door clickin’ shut behind her.
Silence.
I glanced at Sable. Her hand flew up coverin’ her mouth, eyes wide, then she broke. Quiet laugh first, then harder, buryin’ her face in the pillow.
I couldn’t help it, I laughed too.
“Well,” I muttered, “there goes round two.”
Sable shook her head, still grinnin’, cheeks pink. “Next time,” she managed between laughs, “we lock the door.”
“Next time,” I agreed, kissin’ her shoulder. “And darlin’, there’s sure as hell gonna be a next time. I’ll make damn sure of it.”
***
