“Christ, Cade, it’s not even dawn.”But damn it, she couldn’t resist him.Not his smile, not his demands, not his invitations.Even before the sun came up.
He extended a hand.“Last chance.”
His voice had dropped an octave and she understood that he was threatening action if she didn’t comply.Her butt was still sore from yesterday.“Fine.”She accepted his hand.
He helped her from the bed and drew her to him.
For a moment, she basked in his strength, warmth, masculinity.He was starting to matter to her.Too damn much.
“Are you always so pleasant in the mornings?”he asked.
“I don’t know.I’ll let you know when it’s actually morning.”Ignoring his laughter, she slipped away from him and went into the bathroom to brush her teeth.
The sight of her reflection in the mirror made her open her eyes wide.Her hair was a fright, as if she’d had a raunchy night.Her skin had a few red spots.Light abrasions from his goatee?Slight shadows from lack of sleep bruised her eyes.Overall, she looked like a well-fucked woman—she made a face—or submissive?
Which was she?A woman or a submissive?Both?
“I said move it!”he called from the other side of the door.
“Yes, Sir,” she returned, surprised by how easily that rolled off her lips and how much she enjoyed saying it.
When she emerged from the bathroom, he was nowhere in sight.Barefoot, she headed down the stairs.
He was brewing coffee and he’d put on the kettle for tea.“That was thoughtful,” she said.
A few minutes later, a fluffy-looking Loopy padded in.Cade poured kibble into her bowl, but Sofia couldn’t take her gaze off the dog’s flyaway fur.
“She looks as if she’s been shocked by electricity or something.”
“Humidity.Maybe I should have used some conditioner on her.”
“Seriously, she looks as if she’s twice the size she normally is.Which is saying something.”
“Don’t listen to her, Loopy,” he said.“You’re perfect the way you are.”
Sofia grinned.She made her tea while he poured a cup of coffee.After grabbing the towels and putting on a black felt hat, he walked through the side door leading to the courtyard.He hit a switch and flooded the area with muted light.
Mug in hand, she followed, trying not to think how scandalous it was to be walking outdoors in nothing more than his shirt.
With a bark, Loopy made it clear she wouldn’t be left behind.
She dashed past them, then ran wide circles while they walked.
He led the way through an opening in the grape arbor.
“This…” She glanced around the lovely area.Grapes grew from the overhead latticework and several plants spilled colorful blooms over the sides of their pots.Pea gravel surrounded the area, for drainage, she guessed.Off to one side, a partition offered privacy for a small shower.But it was the round tub that claimed her attention.
It sat in the middle of the area on a raised deck, a slotted-top table next to it.“I thought you were joking,” she said as he turned on the faucet full blast.The tub wasn’t overly big, and since he meant for both of them to get in there, it was going to be a cozy fit.“Is it made of wood?”
“Cedar,” he confirmed.“Stands up to the elements.I cover it each winter and treat it each spring.Sometimes, after a long, hot, dusty day on the range when even your ass hurts, there’s nothing better.”
“You do have this decadence thing figured out.”She took a drink of her tea and quietly enjoyed the surroundings while the tub filled.
“Ready?”he asked a couple of minutes later.
He held her tea while she pulled off her shirt.
“Better make that water a little colder,” he said, “so I’m not sporting a hard-on and only thinking about bending you over the side of that thing.”
