Bruce pushed his nose through the opening. Luke widened the door. The dog disappeared out into the hall.
Luke closed the door and turned to look at Sophy.
“About last night,” he said.
She chilled and clutched the sheet more tightly. “It’s too soon to have that conversation. We haven’t had a real last night.”
“What the hell?”
“You know what I mean.” She waved her free hand. “Nothing happened last night. Or the night before. Or the night before that.”
“A couple of hot kisses don’t count?”
“They were artificially induced.”
He nodded in somber comprehension. “Got it. No sex involved so no about-last-night conversation.” He stalked to the side of the bed and looked down at her. “You know, it’s damn lucky for both of us that I’m learning how to follow your jumps in logic. Some men might be intimidated. A lot of men would feel like they’d been left behind in a cloud of dust. Confused and disoriented.”
Relief and a glorious sense of certainty swept through her. She was so happy she wondered if she might possibly be glowing. “But not you.”
“The trick is to connect the dots,” he said. “Then I can fill in the missing bits.”
“Luckily you’re good at connecting dots.”
“Got a talent for it.” He headed for the bathroom. “I’ll be right back.”
When he emerged a short time later he had a couple of foil packets in one hand. He tossed them down onto the bedside table. She took the opportunity to race into the bathroom.
He was in bed waiting for her when she returned. The black T-shirt and briefs he’d had on earlier were in a heap on the unused bed along with the robe. He watched her with smoldering amber eyes.
A thrill of certainty went through her. Luke knew her secrets and he wanted her. She knew his secrets and she wanted him. They trusted each other. That was enough. For now.
He held out one hand. “I like the nightgown.”
“I’m glad.”
She went to the bed, took his hand, and got in beside him. He came down on top of her, easing her back onto the pillows. She thrilled to the weight, heat, and strength of him. His rigid erection pressed against her thigh. Everything inside her softened in response.
He brushed his mouth across hers, inviting her to join him in the sensual dance. With a low moan of wonder and delight, she flattened her palms on his sleekly muscled back and stroked downward to his waist.
It was his turn to groan. “The first time I saw you, I knew we were going to be good together,” he said into the curve of her throat. “I just didn’t know how good.”
“That is so not true. The first time you saw me all you cared about was getting me to read the scene in Deke’s cabin.” She rakedher nails lightly up his back and wrapped one of her legs around one of his. “You were very, very focused, but not on me.”
He nipped her ear, letting her feel his teeth. “That’s where you’re wrong. The second you opened the door I knew you were the most important piece of the puzzle.”
“So I was just another dot to be connected to the other dots?”
“You were the most spectacular dot of all.” Luke slipped the dainty strap of her nightgown off one shoulder. “The most exciting dot.” He lowered the other strap and freed her breasts. “The sexiest dot.”
He took one nipple between his lips. His palm flattened on the sensitive skin of her belly. She arched into him.
After a moment he raised his head and looked down at her. “I also knew you were the dot that was going to give me the most trouble.”
She started to laugh but his hand shifted to her hip and his mouth tightened on her other breast. She gasped instead.
“Is that how professional dot connectors talk dirty?” she managed.
“Depends.” His fingers slipped between her thighs. “Is it working?”
