She rolled onto her back, enjoying the elegant appointments in this upscale room. Her movement woke up Griffin. One second he was relaxed and quiet beside her, and the next his formidable presence filled the room.

“Good morning,” she murmured.

“Good morning to you.” His voice was sandpaper rough.

“How are you feeling?” she asked.

“Better than I have a right to, given how much scotch I drank. You?”

She took inventory. “I’m good. But then, high-quality liquor doesn’t leave as much of a hangover as the cheap stuff.”

Strong arms gathered her close and he rolled over, looming above her. “Dammit, Tate. You’re even more gorgeous first thing in the morning all sleepy and messy.”

She grinned up at him. “Thank you.”

“Toothbrush,” he declared. “My mouth tastes like a sewer.”

Laughing, she followed him to the bathroom and they used the complimentary toothbrushes and toothpaste together. She threw the balcony door wide open and relished the chill on her bare skin. The sun was just peeking over the horizon, a strip of liquid fire streaking across the surface of the ocean.

She felt Griffin move to stand behind her. His arms came around her waist, and his chin came to rest on her shoulder. They watched the sunrise together. It was a quiet, intimate moment between them. Something more than casual friendship was definitely happening here.

“Don’t ever take a sunrise for granted,” he surprised her by murmuring.

It made sense. In his line of work—in their line of work—each day was a precious gift. Goodness knew, losing Sam had only reinforced that fact.

Griffin’s lips touched the column of her neck. His mouth was warm and felt good as he kissed his way across her shoulder. His tongue swirled in her ear, and a jolt of desire ripped through her. Who knew her ear was such an erogenous zone?

She turned in Griffin’s arms, and his mouth closed on hers. She surged into the kiss, pressing her body hungrily against his.

She sensed that his need for this morning was as great as hers. After last night’s devastating loss, she wanted—no, needed—the affirmation that she and Griffin were alive and well. She needed his vital energy. Craved the raw desire between them.

His hands gripped her head gently, and he pulled her even closer, his tongue plunging wildly into her mouth. She sucked on it hard, pulling him to her desperately.

He backed up toward the bed, and she followed eagerly. He fell backward across the bed, pulling her down with him.

She practically purred in her eagerness to get him inside her. She threw her leg across his hips and pushed up to straddle him. He stared up at her, his eyes black with desire.