Nick curled up to her warmth and pulled the blanket over both of them as he put his arm around her and breathed in the familiar scent of home.

She murmured in her sleep as her hand covered his, aware of his presence even in slumber.

He wanted her urgently but would never wake her after she’d gone so long without sleep. It was enough for now to hold her close, to feel her heart beating under the hand he’d rested on her chest and to enjoy the singular feeling of her naked body pressed against his.

The trip had been long and grueling. He’d slept only sporadically, especially after the conversation with the president had him running the different scenarios and failing to figure out how to fit the president’s offer into their lives in a way that made sense for all of them.

Sam turned over and opened her stunning blue eyes. “You’re home.” Her voice was hoarse with sleep and sexy as all hell.

His gaze traveled immediately to the angry bruises on her neck, which he traced with a light fingertip so he wouldn’t hurt her. “I hope I never see that bastard Stahl again. I might have to kill him for doing this to you.”

“Don’t do that. I need you too much to have to arrest you for murder.”

He brought her in tight against him and sighed when her arm curled around him.

“Missed you so much,” she said. “I hated that I couldn’t even talk to you.”

“I hated it too. I was very anxious being so far from you guys with everything that’s gone on lately. I couldn’t wait to get home, especially after I heard about what happened with Stahl.”

“So the Secret Service ratted me out on that, huh?”

“Yes,” he said, chuckling, “they certainly did.”

“Tattletaling—yet another reason to keep them far away from me. It was cool being on Air Force One?”

“It was an amazing experience. I wish you and Scotty could’ve come with me.”

“As fun as it would be to fly to the other side of the world and back in two days, I’ll have to take your word for it.”

Knowing how much she hated to fly, he smiled as he kissed her. “Go back to sleep. We’ve got all day to lay around.”

“You don’t have anything for the campaign?”

“Not until tomorrow night.”

“Two whole days together,” she said with a sigh of pleasure. “I think I just died and went straight to heaven.” As she said the words, she worked her leg between his and her hand moved from his chest to his belly and down to encircle his erection.

“Babe...what’re you doing?”

“Saying a proper hello to my husband who I love so much and who I missed so much.”

“While I love the way you say hello, you’re too tired.”