“Look at you, all cocooned and cozy.” He dropped the bag and closed the door behind him, getting to me in two long strides. “Don’t move.”
Within seconds, he was leaning over the couch, scooping me up, blanket and all. I shrieked with laughter when he dropped back down, both us crashing into pile.
“What are you doing here? You weren’t supposed to be back until Tuesday.” I smoothed my fingers over his cheek and chin.
Nicky caught my hand in his and kissed my fingertips. “I couldn’t go another day without you. The meetings ended this morning, and everything else was all parties and socializing. Schmoozing, as you call it. I decided I didn’t need any of that as much as I needed you in my arms.” He nuzzled my neck, and I shivered. “I missed you so much, Ky.”
“I missed you, too. I’m so glad you’re home.” I twined my arms around his neck. “Was the conference good? Did you learn a lot and dazzle all of them with your impressive knowledge?”
Nicky rolled his eyes. “I did a great deal of listening, that’s for sure. I think I picked up some new ideas. As for dazzling them, I doubt I did that, although I believe a couple were surprised that I seemed to have a decent grasp on the concept of sustainable farming.”
“I’m sure they were blown away.” I was so giddy with joy that my man was back home with me that my heart was pounding a mile a minute. “You won’t get in trouble for leaving early, will you?”
He laughed. “No, no one cared. I did what I was meant to do, and it didn’t matter at all that I left.” Stroking my cheek, he lowered his head until his lips touched mine softly. “I need a shower to get all the airplane crap off me, but then, all I want is you. In our bed. Naked.”
I arched my neck. “I think we can arrange that.”
“Hmmmm.” Nicky nibbled down the column of my neck. “Any chance you can take off tomorrow? Or even the next couple of days? I’ve got nothing on my calendar until Wednesday morning. We could drive somewhere quiet and secluded and have some time to ourselves.”
I wrinkled my nose. “Ugh. No, I have a big meeting tomorrow afternoon—it’s been weeks in the planning, and I can’t hand it off to anyone else. I’m sorry.”
“Ah. Okay, no, don’t apologize.” He swept my hair away from my face. “I’m the one who came back unexpectedly. I’m not going to ask you to put your work on hold, just because my own plans changed.” He grinned down at me. “But your meeting isn’t until afternoon, you said? So maybe you could go in a little late?”
“I think that could be arranged.” I let my eyes close as I rested my forehead on his shoulder. “I’ll send an email tonight and tell everyone that I’m working at home up until I have to be there for the meeting.”
“Excellent.” With a grunt, Nicky stood up, lifting me in his arms. “Let’s get started tonight on that work you need to do ... between the covers.”
“I feel so much better now.” Nicky stepped out of the bathroom that adjoined our bedroom, rubbing a towel over his short brown hair. Another pristine white towel hung low on his hips, showing off the deep V formed by his chiseled abs. When he took a step, that towel did very little to disguise the way the muscles in his supremely fine ass shifted.
From my vantage point in the bed, where he’d dumped me unceremoniously a few minutes before, I enjoyed the show. He was, without a doubt, one of the hottest men on the face of the earth, and somehow, he belonged to me.
“Feel free to drop the towel any time you like.” I quirked one eyebrow at him. “I’m just saying—if you feel like it’s in your way. It won’t bother me one bit.”
“Watch it there, lady.” He shot me a look of faux outrage. “I think you’re trying to objectify me. I won’t stand for it, you know. I’m not just a piece of eye-candy for you to ogle at will.”
“Aren’t you, though?” I squinted, not bothering to hide the way I was looking him over. “You said your calendar is empty the next few days. You could stay at home and be a house-boyfriend. When I come home from work, tired and crabby, you can meet me at the door wearing just ...” I thought about the options for a second. “Oh, I know. Those old jeans you have—the ones that are faded nearly white and mold your ass like hands. No shirt. Just the jeans. And you can have a drink waiting, and then while I’m enjoying that, you can make me a wonderful gourmet dinner.”
Nicky stood at the end of the bed, his smile growing wider as I spoke. When I’d finished, giggling, he shook his head and whipped off the towel, tossing the damp thing at me before he crawled across the mattress.
“Is that your fantasy, then?” His eyes glittered as he drank me in. “Having me at your beck and call, to cook and clean and cater to your every whim?”
I considered. “As fantasies go, that one isn’t half-bad.”
In a flash, he’d knocked me flat on my back, my head sinking into the softness of a pillow as he held himself over me. “Is that really how you like me? Subservient and at your command?”
Slowly, I shook my head. “No. Not really. I like you ...” I reached up to trace his lips. “Over me like this, looking like you could eat me up.”
“Funny, that’s just exactly what I was thinking of doing.” Lowering his body, he dipped his head to kiss me deeply. As he bracketed my head, his arms tensed, the muscles bulging. I felt cherished and loved, and with a sigh, I reached up to grip the back of his neck and hold him to me even tighter.
With every brush of his lips, every touch of his fingertips, Nicky showed me his love. His murmurings as he stripped away my clothes and worshiped my body ignited a fire within me that flamed ever hotter.
Cupping my breast in one hand, he pressed a reverent kiss to the turgid peak. I arched my back, urging him ever closer, threading my fingers through his hair.
“So soft here,” he whispered. Moving to the other side, he licked around the nipple, toying with it until I moaned. “And perfect, too. You are utterly perfect, my Ky. Every single part of you makes me crazy.”
I managed a breathless laugh, even as his fingers trailed lower, over my stomach. “I’m not even remotely perfect. But I’m glad that whatever I am is exactly what makes you crazy—because I feel the same way about you.” I slid my hand down his back to grip that perfect ass.
“Nice how things work out.” Nicky paused to grin up at me before he slid the rest of the way down my body, nudging my legs apart.
