“I’m not complaining,” I said with a tired smile. “Flight leaves in four hours.”

He stretched again, still keeping one arm hooked around my neck. He pulled me to him and kissed my temple. “If this weekend wasn’t so important, I’d make you stay in bed with me all day.”

“We can do that when we get back to San Diego.”

He squeezed me. “Does that mean you’re finally available?”

I hugged him back. “No,” I said, smiling at his reaction. “I’m with someone.”

Thomas pressed his head back against his pillow to look me in the eyes. “Last night, I realized when I was talking to Camille…those relationships didn’t work out, but it wasn’t because of the job. It’s because we weren’t invested enough in them.”

I eyed him, feigning suspicion. “Are you invested in me?”

“I’m pleading the fifth but only in the interest of not scaring you off with the answer.”

I shook my head and smiled.

He touched my hair. “I like this look on you.”

I rolled my eyes. “Shut up.”

“I’m completely serious. I’ve never seen you so beautiful, and that’s saying something. The first time I saw you…I mean, the very moment I looked over from my barstool and saw your face, I panicked, wondering how in the hell I was going to get your attention and then worrying how I would keep it when I did.”

“You got my attention at work the next day.”

Thomas looked ashamed. “I don’t get surprised very often. I was probably more of an asshole than normal, trying to keep everyone from knowing, and then when it hit me that I’d put you in danger—”

I touched his lips with my finger, and then I realized I could kiss them if I wanted. Immediately, I took the opportunity. They were soft and warm, and I had trouble pulling away, but even when I tried, Thomas placed his hand on my cheek, holding me while he caressed my tongue with his.

My God, he was perfection. I silently scolded myself for waiting that long to allow myself to enjoy him.

When he finally released me, he only pulled away a few centimeters, brushing his lips against mine. “I’ve always been a morning person, but I have no idea how I’m going to get out of this bed with you in it.”

“Tommy!” Jim yelled from downstairs. “Get your ass down here and make your mom’s omelets!”

Thomas blinked. “The idea just came to me.”

I pulled on a loose-fitting tank top and maxi skirt. Thomas pulled a white V-neck T-shirt over his head and then slipped on a pair of khaki cargo shorts.