“Almost eleven.”

“Oh, thank God. I thought it was time to get up.”

“Sorry if I woke you.”

“You didn’t. My bladder did.”

“Why don’t you go take care of that, and I’ll keep your spot warm.”

“Okay.” She dragged herself out of bed and into the bathroom. When she returned a few minutes later, Nick was ready for her.

“Let’s get you out of those heavy clothes so you’re more comfortable.”

“Are you coming on to me?”

Laughing, he said, “Not this time.”

“That’s disappointing.”

“You need sleep more than you need sex.”

“Who says?”

He helped her out of her sweater and jeans. “Your husband, who always knows what’s best for you.” When she was down to just underwear, he moved back in the bed to let her in.

She joined him in bed and snuggled up to him. As warm, naked breasts pressed against his chest, he realized she’d shed the underwear too. He told himself that this night was about sleep and nothing else. Keep telling yourself that, he thought as his hand glided up and down her back while her hand caressed his belly.

His reaction was instantaneous and predictable when she was in the vicinity. “Samantha...”

“What?”

“Go back to sleep.”

“I will. I’ve got hours and hours before I have to be at HQ. Plenty of time for sleep.” As she spoke, her hand drifted downward and all his efforts to keep his mind off sex fell to the wayside when the back of her hand made contact with his erection.

“Sam.”

“I didn’t do anything.”

“You did too. You know exactly what you did.”

“I can’t help if being naked in bed with you makes me think of things that have nothing to do with sleep.”

“I should’ve slept downstairs so I wouldn’t bother you.”

“No, you shouldn’t have. You belong right here with me.”

He turned on his side to face her, and she took advantage of the opportunity to lay a hot, wet, sexy kiss on him. “You brushed your teeth.”

“So?”

“So this was a deliberate attack.”

“Guilty as charged.”

“Since you went to all that trouble...” What else could he do but kiss her back? When she smiled against his lips he held her closer. But no matter how close he got to her it was never close enough.

As if she read his mind, she wrapped her arms and legs around him, imprisoning him in her web of soft, supple flesh and the scent of vanilla and lavender that never failed to stir him. It was the scent of her, of his woman, his only love.

Without breaking the kiss, he cupped her breasts and ran his thumbs over her nipples, making her moan. And then she sucked on his tongue, and his need became urgent. He moved them as one so he was on top.