“Because you have three careers, and you love to travel. You’re not going to be satisfied year after year without something new going on in your life. So here’s the new deal. Six months, and every time you delay, I’m taking you on a trip.”

“Tobias, you don’t have to do that. Traveling is expensive, and—”

He silenced her with a kiss and caressed her cheek as their lips parted. “Don’t you worry about what it’ll cost. You’re my girl, and I’m going to make damn sure that you don’t miss out on doing the things you love and are passionate about.”

“You drive a hard bargain, Sir Broodiness.”

He rocked his hips. “Want to find out just how hard?”

“I thought you’d never ask.”

Chapter Nineteen

MADIGAN AWOKE SUNDAY morning to the sounds of birds chirping, the feel of Tobias’s hard body against her back, one strong arm wrapped snuggly around her, his warm hand cupping her breast, and an overwhelming sense of peace.

She’d wondered if she’d regret delaying the expansion of her business. If she’d wake up itchy to take back what she’d said. But when she’d woken up yesterday, she hadn’t felt an ounce of regret. She’d thought it might hit her later, but as the day had progressed, she played devil’s advocate, trying to imagine what it would be like to launch a new line, the excitement of creating the line, the thrill of seeing new products hit the market, and the rush of her brand blowing up anew on social media, but regret had never come. Even in the hypothetical, she longed for those hours she’d miss with Tobias. As she lay with the man who she wanted even more of, memorizing the steady and sure beat of his heart against her back, she knew she’d made the right decision. Nothing was more luxurious than the cocoon of his body, and no business or amount of wealth compared to the beauty of being adored by him.

She’d miss him today.

He was going to work on her father’s car while she and the girls were preparing for Leah’s baby shower at Ginger and Conroy’s house. Between morning preparations and the baby shower, which was at five o’clock, she was coming home to work and inform distributors and manufacturers of her decision. If the baby shower was over early enough, she was going to track down Blaine and see if she could mend that rickety fence.

Tobias inhaled deeply, his hold on her tightening. He caressed her breast, his fingers playing over her nipple, bringing rise to prickles of lust that always seemed to be lingering between them. She closed her eyes as he rubbed his scruff along her cheek, kissing her there as he rocked his arousal against her bottom, turning those prickles to full-on flames.

“Morning, angel.”