Thump-thump-thump.
His heart was still beating hard and fast, and the rhythm reminded me of our bodies coming together time and time again.
“Did that live up to your expectations, Ms. Parker?” Tucker asked, a teasing note in his voice.
“And then some, Mr. Tucker. How was it for you?”
“Exceptional. Phenomenal. Sensational.”
I grinned, scooted forward, and kissed him again. We broke apart, and his eyes glittered with fresh heat.
His hand crept around to my back, and he started drawing circles on my skin. Each light skim of his fingertips made a delicious shiver sweep through me.
“You got your fantasy about me biting you,” Tucker murmured, even more heat sparking in his eyes. “Well, I have some fantasies of my own when it comes to you.”
“Really?” I purred. “Well, why don’t you start from the top, and we’ll work our way down your list?”
“With pleasure,” he murmured, and lowered his lips to mine again.
We spentthe rest of the night exploring our various fantasies, some of which were mutual and all of which were quite enjoyable.
Early the next morning, I woke up nestled in Tucker’s arms. For a long time, I just lay there, watching the sunlight and shadows sweep across his face and body, which were both soft and relaxed with sleep. The longer I lay there, the more a hard truth settled in my heart.
Somehow, despite all the danger and dark deeds that had transpired between us, I had fallen for Hugh Tucker, and I had no idea what to do about my feelings for him.
“I didn’t realize you enjoyed watching other people sleep,” he murmured, cracking his eyes open. “It’s a bit creepy.”
“Just you,” I replied, startled by the honesty in my voice. “You are a very watchable person, even while asleep. I never know what you’re going to do next.”
“I could say the same thing about you.”
I scooted a little closer, and his arm curled around me. We stayed in bed, dozing and drinking in each other’s presence…until a loud chirp emanated from the kitchen.
Tucker’s eyes snapped open. “Is that an alarm?”
I groaned and sat up. “Yes, my alarm. Unfortunately, I have some interviews this morning.”
“Interviews? For what?”
I wrapped a blanket around my body and stood up. “An open position in my company. The last person who had the job betrayed me, and I killed him for it. I’ve been looking for a replacement ever since.”
Tucker stared at me, his face unreadable.
“Sorry. I know it’s not the usual morning-after pillow talk.”
He arched an eyebrow. “There is nothing usual about you, Lorelei Parker, which is one of the many things I like about you.”
I grinned, then went into the bathroom and shut the door behind me. I studied my reflection in the mirror. Mussed black hair, bright blue eyes, flushed skin. I looked like someone who was still feeling the afterglow from last night. My gaze dropped to my neck. Two red punctures marred my skin, but they were much smaller than I’d expected. The marks certainly didn’t capture the scope of all the things I’d done with Tucker, and they especially didn’t convey the enormity of all the things I felt for him now.
But I ignored the heart stings reverberating through my chest, locked my feelings down tight, and plastered a smile on my face as I stepped back out into the bedroom where Tucker was waiting.
We both got dressed, me in last night’s dress and him in a fresh suit, and met in the kitchen. He poured me a glass of orange juice, which I gulped down while I checked my phone.
Most of my messages were from Karlotta, reminding me about the interviews and cheerfully threatening to quit herself if I didn’t show up as promised. I sighed. As much as I wanted to stay here in this happy bubble, the real world was waiting, and it was time to return to my regularly scheduled life. Now that Clyde O’Neal was no longer a threat, maybe I would have an easier time picking—and trusting—whomever I hired as my number two. Probably not, given my lack of progress on the matter so far, but I had to try.
I drained the last of my juice, set my glass aside, and faced Tucker, who was leaning up against the kitchen counter.
“Time for the awkward goodbye talk?” he asked in a soft voice.
