“Twenty-three million, but who’s counting?” I joke.
When she lies back down, she’s so close I can feel the warmth radiating from her body. Her hand is resting on the mattress, less than an inch from mine. I let my pinky brushagainst hers, and she responds instantly, linking her pinky with mine.
We fall silent, both gazing upward. After a few minutes, Sasha gasps as the first streak of light cuts across the sky.
“There! Did you see that?”
“Yeah,” I grin, loving her excitement.
Another meteor streaks by, then another. Soon, the sky is alive with falling stars, some bright and dramatic, others just quick flashes of light. I find myself watching her face more often than the sky, captivated by the childlike joy of her “ooh’s and awes”.
Eventually, when the meteors become few and far between, I look over to see she has fallen sleep. Face peaceful, her lips are slightly parted, one hand resting on her stomach.
I can’t help but smile. She looks so damn beautiful like this—all soft and vulnerable. So different from the fierce, stubborn woman who’s been driving me crazy for months.
Carefully, I reach for the control panel next to the bed and press the button. The ceiling slides closed with a soft mechanical hum, sealing us in our own private cocoon.
I should probably roll over and go to sleep. That would be the gentlemanly thing to do. But fuck it—I’m not feeling particularly chivalrous right now.
Moving slowly so I don’t wake her, I slide closer until I’m flush with her warm body. Wrapping my arm around her waist, I gently pull her against me, turning her onto her side so her back is against my chest. Her body stiffens slightly, and I hold my breath, worried I’ve crossed a line.
“Jax?” Her voice is a sleepy whisper.
“Shhh, go back to sleep,” I murmur, tucking my face into her neck. As I breathe her in, I feel her relax, and I tighten my hold. “’Night, beautiful.”
twenty-five
I wake up with a jolt.Feeling fucking incredible, my body becomes instantly aware of two things.
One: I’m hard as a fucking rock.
Two: My hand is cupping Sasha’s bare breast under her T-shirt, face buried in her silky hair with the sweet scent of her shampoo filling my nose.
Fuck. This is not how I planned to start my morning.
Our bodies are intertwined—my chest pressing against her back with one leg wedged between both of hers, and her perfect ass nestled up against my cock. Her nipple pebbles beneath my palm, and it takes every ounce of willpower not to squeeze and slide my thumb over the hardened peak.
As much as I want to stay exactly like this—maybe even wake her up with my mouth on her neck and my hand sliding beneath the waistband of her sweats—it would probably be pushing it.
Holding my breath, I carefully untangle my legs and slowly slide my hand out from under her shirt. The small whimper of protest goes straight to my dick as she stirs, but thankfully, she doesn’t wake.
Easing myself out of bed, I grip myself over my boxers as I wander quietly toward the kitchen.
After getting the coffee started, I grab some clean clothes and head for the shower. The hot water feels good, and I lean my forearms against the tile wall, letting it beat against my neck. But it does little to calm the ache or thoughts racing through my head.
I told Sasha about the ranch. About owning it. About designing Night Hunters. And she didn’t freak out or look at me any differently. She just... accepted it. Acceptedme.
Christ, if someone had told me a year ago I’d be standing here in this moment, fighting the urge to go back to bed and wake Sasha up with my mouth between her legs, I would’ve laughed my ass off.
Jax Riley, small-town fuckboy bringing a woman to the one place that means the most to me? Wanting more than just a quick, meaningless fuck?
My forehead hits the cool tile, and I groan. Me? Falling this hard, this fast? Not a fucking chance.
ButhaveI fallen for her?
Shit. Do I want to wake up with hereverymorning, and not just this one? Show her everything that matters to me, share every part of my life with her? Do I want to be the one she turns to when she needs someone to lean on?
I don’t know.
