Erin sank into his embrace, thrilled by him and the things he said to her and how he’d helped her conquer her greatest fear. Not that she thought she was suddenly over her flying phobia, but he’d made her feel safe enough to take the first big step toward putting it behind her.

He helped her with the dishes, and then they went upstairs, taking turns in the bathroom before ending up in her childhood room, which had been repurposed into a guest room since she moved out. In one corner, her mom had kept the desk Erin had used to do her homework along with some of the trophies she’d earned in gymnastics and dance.

Slim examined every one of them while she watched him from the bed. “I never knew you were so limber.”

“That was twenty years ago. I’m not that limber anymore.”

“I bet your inner gymnast can still do a mean backbend.”

“I’d prefer to not have to prove that.”

Smiling, he pulled his shirt over his head and dropped his jeans into a pile on the floor. He crawled into bed and reached for her, snuggling her in close to him.

“I should go check to make sure I locked the door.”

“I did that.”

It took all the fortitude she could muster to deny the powerful need to see for herself. “I said we can’t sleep together here.”

“I can’t hear you.”

Smiling at his predictable reply, she said, “I’m getting awfully used to using your chest for a pillow. What’ll I do when you go back to Florida?”

“Come with me?”

“What would I do there while you’re working?”

“Sit by the pool and work on your column or go get a mani-pedi or a massage or go shopping or hit the beach or go to lunch with the amazing group of women I’ll introduce you to.”

“Your harem?” she asked with a touch of annoyance in her tone.

His bark of laughter only added to her annoyance. “Hardly. They’re my friends’ wives and girlfriends, so you can sheath your claws, wildcat.”

“I don’t have claws.”

“It’s okay, sweetheart. I like it when you’re possessive.”

“I’m not being possessive.”

“Yes, you are, and I like being possessed by you.”

“I don’t have a jealous bone in my body.”

“So does that mean you wouldn’t mind if that group of women had been my harem?” She thought about that just long enough for him to pounce. “Ah-ha. I knew it. You are a jealous little she-cat.”

“You’re going to be a neutered he-cat if you don’t shut up.”

His low chuckle made his chest rumble under her ear. “So is that a yes to coming to Florida?”

“After all that she-cat business, I don’t want to go anywhere with you.”