“Clean sheets and everything.”

She stood on tiptoe and nipped at his bottom lip. “Take me there.”

Six

Tuesday, September 3

HE WOKE EARLY AS HE ALMOST ALWAYS did, no matter how active the day—or night—before had been. In spite of the unfamiliar surroundings he knew immediately where he was and who was sleeping next to him. He turned to look at her, a graceful sprawl of woman, face down, a tumble of bronze hair, brown eyes closed. One arm tucked beneath her pillow revealed a plump curve of breast, right knee raised—he couldn’t help himself and he didn’t even try, raising his head to look at the dark mystery that upraised knee revealed. He did more than look. He positively gloated over all of the richness that was his to rediscover, exploit, debauch. He rolled up on his elbow to place a soft kiss at the base of her spine and was rewarded with a long, sensuous moan. He was already hard but that sound, man. Everything stood even more to attention.

“I can’t,” she said, voice muffled. “I’m dead. I am officially dead.” She glared at him through her hair. “Killed dead by you, specifically.”

“Uh-huh,” he said, and knelt behind her, lifting her to her knees.

“Liam.”

“Uh-huh.” He slid one hand down her belly and between her legs.

“Liam.”

“I’m starving,” she said.

“We did miss dinner,” he said.

Explaining to each other why meant breakfast was even later. They ate it in bed. “Is Barton going to be pissed because you weren’t in the office by eight?”

He licked the marmalade from her fingers. “I’m not officially on duty until Monday.” He kissed her, enjoying the flavors of butter and orange and toast. And Wy. She was glowing. He didn’t doubt that he was, too, and wouldn’t have had a problem exhibiting that glow before anyone passing by. Preferably with his clothes on, but still.

“Yeah, but I know you. And I wish I didn’t know him.”

“What about you? What are your plans for the day?”

“I could just stay in bed. God knows I’ve earned it.”

He laughed down deep in his throat.

She kissed him, stopping the laugh. He was perfectly willing to shove the plates to the floor and push her back down on the sheets. It was a good look on her.

She laughed and slipped away from him. “My plans are to do form, shower, get dressed, and explore this new place you’ve dragged me to.”

He caught her hand. “Dragged?”

Her expression softened. She leaned down to kiss him. “Joke. Not a very good one, evidently.”

He was still wary. “Sure?”

She nuzzled his nose. “Too much bad history in Newenham. I was glad to leave it in the rear view. Pretty sure Tim felt the same.”

There was more to it than that and they both knew it, but she wanted him to let it go, so he did. “You picking up your new car today?”