Bodie grinned. Not quite his guest suite. In fact, if he played his cards right, didn’t screw up what could be the best thing that ever happened to him, she might end up sharing his bed, and for more than just the assignment. “We had a pretty late night. She probably forgot to plug in her phone, but she’s here, and you’re on speaker.”
Shirley laughed as if she knew exactly what they’d been doing, how Rowan was still tucked beneath him.
Rowan pushed onto one elbow, arching a brow when her chest brushed Bodie’s as he simply held his ground. “First, it’s just Rowan. Second, I’m sorry. I can’t believe I got so caught up in the case, I didn’t charge my phone. What’s up?”
“I’m sure you were otherwise… occupied.” Another hushed laugh, the pause impossible to miss. “Special Agent Kaine just called. She’ll be here in about twenty minutes. I thought you’d want to know.”
Rowan collapsed again. “Absolutely. Thanks, we’ll be in shortly.”
Bodie ended the call as Rowan laid there, one arm over her forehead, the other still making circles on his skin. “Were you?” He went back to his elbows, nipped at her neck. “Occupied?”
She swatted his ass, moaned when he kissed his way up her jaw, claimed her mouth. Her breath panted across his chin when he finally released her, the feathery touch sending goosebumps prickling across his flesh. “Starting to think not nearly enough.” She palmed his cheek. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“Holding me all night. It’s one of the few I’ve actually slept through.”
“Sounds like you need a better nighttime routine.”
She tilted her head, smiled. “I like last night’s. Maybe we can try it again, tonight?”
“That sounds like a challenge, sweetheart.” He dropped one more soul-searing kiss on her mouth. “Consider it accepted.” He motioned down the hall. “You want a quick shower?”
“Will you make coffee? Because I need both, but I doubt we’ll have time to stop.” She rose, swung her legs off the edge of the couch. “And people wonder why I don’t like working with the feds. They’re either too early or too late.”
He nudged her. “And here I thought it was because you don’t like sharing your toys.”
“That, too.” She stood. “So, coffee?”
He pressed against her as he pushed to his feet, ran one hand down her side and across her hip. “Coming up.”
Her breath hitched, and for a moment he thought she’d tackle him back onto the couch. Instead, she tiptoed up, kissed him. “Thanks.”
She headed for the hallway while he sent off a text to Buck and Dalton — told them to meet him at the station once they were vertical. “And Bodie?”
He looked her way. “Yeah?”
“It was also the best morning I’ve had in forever. And I absolutely wanted to trip you back onto the couch, make out some more.”
He watched her disappear down the hallway, mind reeling, heart still tapping triple time. And he had a bad feeling it wouldn’t slow anytime soon.
The fact it hadn’t changed by the time she pulled into the station parking lot twenty minutes later only validated his assumption. That he’d already fallen way too hard for her. At least, she seemed equally affected, constantly shifting her gaze his way, looking at him as if she planned on launching her own assault at a moment’s notice. She snuck in a quick kiss before climbing out of her Tahoe, visibly calming herself as she headed for the door.
Buck walked out from inside, held the door open, smiling smugly. “You two looked comfortable out there.”
Bodie stopped next to the other man. “Are you going to be an ass about it?”
“Nope.” Buck motioned over his shoulder. “Dalton might be, though. Started singing that song about sitting in a tree.”
Bodie rolled his eyes. “Why aren’t you two sleeping? I know damn well you did patrols, all night.”
Dalton edged forward, dancing his gaze between Bodie and Rowan. “We spelled each other off. Besides, neither of us sleep well, so…”
Bodie sighed. While hearing Dalton open up more about the aftereffects of his captivity was a positive mental step for the man, everything Bodie learned only made him more impressed Dalton wasn’t off rocking in a corner. That he’d had the strength to push forward — start fresh.
Shirley walked over as the door closed behind them. “Sorry to drag you all in so early. Special Agent Kaine should be here any minute.”
Bodie waved off her concern. “Not a problem. We were already up.”
