“Unless the next words out of your mouth are ‘Let’s put that big four-poster bed to use,’ I’m going to kiss you until you can’t think straight.”
“That’s not much of an ultimatum.” He could still hear thatsomethingin her voice. “Either way, we end up in bed.”
“Let no one ever accuse you of being slow on the uptake.”
She softened in his embrace, all her muscles loosening. Andhello!Her softening succeeded in making him hard.
Her breasts cushioned heavily against his chest. Her thighs pressed tantalizingly against his legs. And the sweet heat of her seeped into his bones, warming him from the inside out, chasing away the chill of too many long, lonely years.
She loves me! Chelsea Duvall loves me!He would never tire of that refrain. And he planned to show her just how muchhelovedherin about two seconds.
Glancing at his watch, he calculated how much time he had. Not enough to do it the way he wanted. But enough for Chelsea. The wonderful woman was like a bottle rocket. When it came to sex, she had a quick fuse, burning hot and fast before the final explosion which, by the way, was really loud and—
A knock sounded at the door.
“What?” he barked, unable to keep the frustration from his voice.
“Sorry to interrupt!” Emily called, not sounding the least bit sorry. Damn her. “But once again I’m going to ask you kiddies to get your clothes on. Angel arrived early, and he’s itching to get you both loaded into his buddy’s sardine can. Something about tides and currents and what have you. So, chop-chop!”
Chelsea pushed out of Dagan’s arms, taking her soft curves and delicious feminine warmth with her.
“That woman has the worst timing,” he muttered, adjusting his hard-on into a more comfortable position.
“I heard that!” Emily called through the door.
“Go away!” he bellowed. “We’ll be down in a second!”
“I don’t trust you, Romeo! I know just how single-minded you men can be. Chels? Can you hear me? Do you need me to come in and wrestle that big gorilla off you?”
Chelsea caught her lower lip between her teeth and shook her head. She looked a little…what? What was that expression? He narrowed his eyes, trying to see what was going on inside that souped-up brain of hers, but before he could get a bead on it, she slipped around him and pulled the bedroom door wide.
“I’d be more than happy to—” Emily cut herself off when she was suddenly staring him square in the face. “Oh, how disappointing. I thought for sure you two were…” She trailed off, narrowing her gaze at the look on Chelsea’s face. Emily turned to him then, attempting murder with her eyes. “What did you do to her?”
“Emily…” Chelsea tried.
But Emily just barged ahead. “What did yousayto her?”
“Down, mother bear.” Dagan lifted a staying hand. “I didn’tdoanything to her. As far as what I said to her, that’s simple. I told her I love her.”
He was usually a private person. But in this particular instance, he didn’t bother. First of all, because he wanted to wipe that accusing look right off Emily’s face. And second of all, because he wanted to shout his glorious news from the rooftops.
Hear ye! Hear ye! Let it be known far and wide that Dagan Zoelner loves the amazing, talented, andgorgeousChelsea Duvall. And miracle of miracles! She loves him too!
“Oh.” Emily blinked. Then she said louder, “Oooohhhh. Wow. I just thought you two were visiting Pound Town. But sure, okay.” Emily turned to Chelsea. “Another one bites the dust, huh? I wish I could say I’m happy for you, Chels. But the truth is that I’m jealous as hell. I’ll be the only one left seeing Junior Patrick.”
“Who’s Junior Patrick?” Dagan demanded.
Emily opened her mouth, but Chelsea beat her to the punch. “Never mind that.”
“No. Not never mind that. Who the hell isJunior Patrick?” It was amazing how quickly jealous rage consumed him. Had Chelsea been seeing someone? Had she and Emilybothbeen seeing someone? The same guy?
Chelsea didn’t seem the type. Back up. Rewind. Chelseawasn’tthe type. So what was Emily talk—
“It’s another name for a lady’s best friend,” Emily said.
Huh?
“A battery-operated boyfriend, numb nuts.” Emily rolled her eyes. “Don’t get your boxers in a twist. Jeez.”
