“Ah, so youdohave a sense of humor. I knew it was in there somewhere.”
Tak sectioned off my hair and began weaving it together. “This is a sacred tradition among my people. The men in my tribe wear a single braid as a symbol of unity.”
“So now I’m just one of the guys?”
He chuckled. “You’re a warrior.”
“Of what?”
“Your demons.”
I glanced up at a cheap picture on the wall. “I’m not doing a very good job.”
“Every day you wake up is a battle won.” When Tak finished with my hair, he rubbed his hands across my shoulders and then down my back. “You have a fine shape. Why do you hide it?”
“I’m not hiding it.”
“I meant with your clothes. Overalls?”
“They’re comfortable.”
“Hmm.” He blew a cool breath against my back.
“Would you rather I wear a low-cut top and tight shorts?”
Tak pulled me against him and softly kissed my nape. “Only for me. No one else.” When his kisses tapered off, he ran his fingers through my braid and loosened it. “I like the way you wear it better.”
“Do you think I’m a slut?”
Tak’s head appeared to my right, and when he spoke, anger clung to his words. “Why would you ask me that?”
I pulled my hair to the front, curtaining my breasts. “When we first opened Moonglow, someone wrotesluton the window. Were they just using that word to offend us, or was it meant for me? What if that’s how people in this town really see me?”
“Is that how you see yourself?”
I looked up at him. “No. But it doesn’t matter how I see myself. People talk, and secrets get out.”
Tak caressed my arm. “Keep me warm under the covers. My ass is getting chilly from the air conditioner.”
I crawled up to the pillow while Tak pulled the covers over us. His eyes danced with amusement while he tried to find a comfortable snuggling position.
Somehow, even when he wasn’t trying, Tak found a way to make me smile.
Our legs tangled and untangled, and no matter what we did, no position was close enough.
“I’ve never been in bed with a woman,” he confessed.
“I find that hard to believe.”
Tak kissed my nose. “I meant to sleep.”
We turned a few more times and finally cracked up laughing.
“Why don’t you spoon me?” I suggested, rolling onto my right side.
“I always did like that utensil best.”
Tak pressed up behind me, his mouth against the shell of my ear. “I could get used to this.” His arm crossed my chest and gave me something to hold. Now I finally understood why couples enjoyed this position so much.
