“Why are you so late getting back?”
“I’m not late. I stopped in Park City to grab a snack.” I shot him a tiny grin. “It was either that or eat the leftovers Mom sent for the two of us to share.”
His gaze slid over to the counter where I’d left the large treat-filled paper sack Mom had slipped into my hand on my way out of the house.
“Your mom sent leftovers? Can we eat them for breakfast?” The monster grin on his face cracked me up before I fully registered what he’d said.
“Breakfast? What are you talking about?”
Tightening his arms around me, he said, “I sleep better when I’m next to you.”
“Danny.”
“And I’m whipped. Morning lift, a full shift at the tire shop, and afternoon practice. Then I waited up for you.”
“Which I told you not to do.”
He went on as though I hadn’t said anything. “So I needed to be in bed at least fifteen minutes ago.” In one quick move, he bent and slid his arm beneath my knees to lift me up to his chest. I squeaked and he laughed. “Time for bed, T.”
“Danny, I don’t think tonight is a good time to try—”
“We are sleeping.” Beside my bed he set me gently back on my feet. “I know a few of the guys are having shenanigans the night before a game—and I might be one of them at some point.” Grinning wolfishly at me, he said, “But tonight is not that night.” After he tossed his favorite camouflage jacket over the chair in the corner, he headed toward the bathroom. “I’ll be out in a minute. Be quick if you don’t want me to see anything I’d love to look at.” Another naughty smile accompanied his words before he closed the door.
For several seconds, I blinked at the space where he’d been, then I stripped my clothes off in a rush, rummaged in my overnight bag—which he’d dropped in front of my closet—and found my pajamas. I’d barely tugged my camisole down my torso when he opened the door of the bathroom. As though it were a nightly occurrence, he set his neatly folded jeans and Henley on the chair with his jacket.
“Your turn,” he said with a thinly concealed grin as he caught me staring at his muscled body in nothing but a pair of blue-and-gold plaid boxers.
Spinning on my heel, I hustled into the bathroom. As I brushed my teeth, I noticed a second, recently used toothbrush in my toothbrush cup. I shook my head. That explained the naughty grins. Honestly, I’d sort of liked the intimacy of the two of us sharing my toothbrush. Then again seeing this tiny foray into something lasting made my heart flutter in my chest.
When I stepped back into the bedroom, I discovered Danny already snuggled under the blankets on my bed. Lifting a corner, he patted the mattress beside him.
“Hurry up, T. I have an early morning tomorrow.”
I rolled my eyes at his teasing even as I slipped into bed beside him. Once I was under the covers with him, he arranged me the way he wanted me: my head pillowed on his shoulder, my arm across his taut belly. Then he wrapped his arms around me and held me close to his side. Lifting his head to catch my eye, he said, “Sweet dreams, T.” Then he lowered his mouth to mine, brushing a soft kiss over my lips.
It wasn’t enough.
When he pulled back, I chased him, pushing up on my elbow to kiss him again. I had no idea what had gotten into me, but I needed more than a chaste good-night smooch. Seconds later, I was sprawled across his chest as my tongue demanded entrance into his mouth, my hands plowed through his hair, and my breasts discovered their happy place rubbing over his hard chest. I tasted minty toothpaste and Danny’s special masculine flavor—an essence that left me wet and wanting every time we kissed.
He wasn’t idle as I kissed him wild. His hands roamed up and down my spine, cupped my ass, and squeezed as he rubbed his length along my center. With my limited experience, I didn’t actually know what I was chasing. I only knew he was the man who could give it to me.
As my moans and whimpers crescendoed to fill my tiny bedroom, he clamped my body to his, effectively stopping all the delicious rubbing against each other.
“Taryn,” he panted after he tore his mouth from mine. “We are not doing this tonight.”
I dropped my head into the side of his neck as I worked to catch my breath.
“When we make love for the first time, it’s not going to be a hurried moment the night before a game. I have plans for our first time—plans that include loving you all night long.” With a groan, he gently pushed me back down to the bed. “Stop trying to preempt me.”
“You expect us to sleep now?” I whined. The idea of kissing and touching him all night set fire to my senses, heating my center red-hot. “Do you honestly think that’s going to happen?”
He chuckled. “We’re both going to think about how tomorrow is my first start and how much we want that to be a success.”
“Do not talk football to me and expect me to quiet down.” I tried to sound put out, but I couldn’t help laughing.
“One thing the captain taught me—and the military and football fine-tuned—was discipline. If I can practice it, you can practice it.” He smoothed his hand down my back to cup my bottom. “Even if it kills us.” Lifting my hand to his lips, he centered a kiss in my palm and planted my hand on his chest, covering it with his own. “Go to sleep.”
I huffed out a breath and wiggled closer to him. But I was warm and tired from a long day of shopping, eating, parade-watching, and driving. I brushed a kiss over Danny’s skin and settled my cheek over it.
