When he parked in the lot, he heard Bibi howl from inside the cottage.Another layer of protection for Dani.Anyone hearing that howl would think more than twice before approaching.
There was no way a stranger could know that Bibi was fully prepared to lick a new friend to death.Despite her size, she was a big softie.The furry mountain was full of love, but Lawson didn’t doubt that she would protect Dani from any threat.
He knew the feeling.
He jumped out of the truck and headed to her door.He didn’t have to knock as Dani opened the door for him, looking as pretty as sunshine, but he could see the nerves in her eyes, so he leaned down for a kiss.“Now, that’s the perfect way to start the morning.”
Eyes closed, she hummed an agreement and kissed him again.“I dreamed about you last night.”
Hell, yeah.“Same.I hope your dreams were as sexy as mine.”
Her cheeks flushed, and her eyes sparkled.“I’m betting they were.”
Lawson edged her into the cottage and spun them so Dani’s back rested against the door.Then they were kissing—tongue and teeth and desire.
She wore another flowery, floaty dress, so he boosted her up, and she wrapped her legs around him.When their bodies aligned, they both groaned.He leaned his forehead on hers.“Dying here, Dani.”
Her throaty laugh reached into his soul.“Me too.”She put her hands under his shirt and ran her fingers over his abs and chest, making them both moan.Then, his mouth was on hers again.
He didn’t know how long they kissed, when Bibi nearly scared the skin off him with a howl that wasn’t nearly as friendly as the one he’d heard when he arrived earlier.
The courier had arrived.
Neither he nor Dani told Bibi to quiet her howl.Instead, he lowered Dani’s feet to the ground, and they straightened their clothing.
Lawson shoved aside his desire and pulled up every protective instinct he had.It wasn’t hard.This courier represented a threat to the woman he was damn sure he was tie rods over spark plugs in love with.
After they had their breathing back to normal, he kissed her lightly.“You’ve got this.No matter what the paperwork says, we’ve got your back.”
With her eyes locked on him, Dani drew a slow breath, held it, then released.She did it three times and then blinked.“Okay.Time to be an adult and find out what they want.”
That made him grin.“You’re definitely an adult, Dani.One hundred percent sexy woman.”She smiled, and he tugged her away from the door and ran his hands up and down her arms.
Bibi continued to howl, and Lawson realized the dog had a pissed-off mode.When he’d first met the Newfoundland she’d been loud, but friendly.All she’d wanted was to get to know him.
This sound was different.If the courier had any functional brain cells, they’d be nervous.
Which was good.
Dani brushed her lips over his one more time.“For luck.”
Then she snapped her fingers.Bibi rushed to her side, and the howl stopped like magic.
Dani rested her hand in Bibi’s fur, and in a moment, the courier knocked on the door.
“You’ve got this, sexy woman.”
She sent him a grin over her shoulder and reached for the doorknob.
Thanks to Lawson, Dani wasn’t terrified when she opened the door.Sure, nerves continued to rattle through her, but she was also smiling.A much better presentation to give to a courier who had orders to report back to her mother.
Lawson and Bibi’s presence ensured she felt safe.No matter what her mother wanted, she could, andwould,handle it.
Her parents held no power over her, and she’d finally realized it.
Her hand barely trembled when she opened the door, Bibi at her side, Lawson at her back.Feeling like a superhero with her own squad, she looked up at the man before her.
Tall.Imposing.Her mother had probably chosen him for his size, and the serious look he aimed at Dani.
