The dogs, both snoring on the floor at the side of the bed, continued to sleep. But now, with his dick twitching against her perfect ass, Vanity wiggled and sighed her way awake.
“Stack?” she asked in a sleep rough voice that made him want to cuddle her, kiss her—and fuck her breathless.
He settled on caressing her breast. “Did you think maybe I traded places with some other dude during the night?”
“Mmm.” Her hand stroked his forearm. “Just thought I might be dreaming.”
He wanted her again. But he also had a boatload of shit to get done before he headed to the rec center. One thought tumbled after another, and at the risk of spooking her, he asked, “You free later today?”
To his disappointment, she shook her head. “Sadly, no.”
Far as brush-offs went, it wasn’t the worst. But damn, he needed more time. “I could try to convince you.”
She freed herself from his embrace, sat up on a hip and put her arms up to stretch.
Long, tangled blond hair hung down her narrow back, the tips just kissing the top of her sexy ass. Sleek muscles shifted in her shoulders and thighs. She was toned, not bulky, with a surfer’s body. The remainder of a light tan seemed more pronounced against the paler skin of her breasts and heart-shaped bottom.
That stirred him, too. Seeing parts of Vanity Baker that even the sun hadn’t seen.
Her movements woke Maggie and Norwood, and after they did their own stretching, they whined to go out.
“I’ll get them.” In a unique form of torture, she walked around her bedroom beautifully naked, collecting mocha-colored sheer lace panties, a shirt...and nothing else.
Before she left the room, she turned back to him. “I can put on coffee.”
“That’d be nice.” He usually didn’t indulge, but it’d give him a few minutes to talk her into extending their time together. With only a corner of the sheet covering him, he folded his arms behind his head. “Thanks.”
One hand resting on Maggie’s head, she studied him. A little more breathless, she asked, “You drink it? I wasn’t sure.”
Hmm. Maybe he should have kicked the sheet aside completely. She did seem to enjoy his body. “I will today.”
Her gaze jumped to his. “Will what?”
Smiling, he scratched his stomach, and saw her gaze track his hand in fascination. “Drink a cup of coffee with you.”
“Oh. Right.” Face flushed, she said, “Come on, Norwood. Let’s go.” In a rush, she fled the room.
Grinning, Stack took his time getting out of the bed. The pale yellow sheets were soft, and the pillow he lifted to his face smelled like Vanity, the scent rich and stirring.
And that, he knew, wasn’t going to help him get the ol’ John Henry to behave.
He made use of the connected bathroom and her mouthwash but didn’t worry about shaving. He’d have to head home to shower and change before he went to the rec center anyway. He pulled on his boxers and went to look for her.
The hall bathroom door was closed as he passed it, so he went on to the kitchen. The dogs were still out, sniffing every blade of grass and running reconnaissance around the yard. The coffeemaker had just finished spitting and hissing when Vanity reappeared. She paused uncertainly in the doorway.
Her face looked dewy from a quick wash. She’d taken the time to braid her long hair, and it hung over her shoulder alongside her right breast.
Against the cold tile floor, her toes curled.
Abs tightening at the sight of her, Stack accepted the truth—walking away would be tough.
Going back to treating her like one of the gang would be worse.
Like...maybe impossible.
He held out a hand, and she hurriedly stepped forward to take it. Drawing her in, he wrapped his other arm around her waist and kissed her good morning. “Even now, you look sexy.”
“That’s what I was going to say to you.” Her fingers edged over the waistband of his boxers. “You can’t expect me to be coherent if this is all you wear.”
“Look who’s talking.” He dropped his hand to her sexy butt and gently squeezed.
She bit her bottom lip, stared up at him, and suddenly hugged him tight.
Not sure what had brought that on, Stack kissed her temple. “You okay?”
“I wish I wasn’t busy all today.” She straightened her arms, pushing back to see his face. “Were you going to ask to see me again? Or... Oh, God. Were you just making conversation?”
Insecurity didn’t fit her well. “What do you think?”