“You’re not the boss of me,” she said.
“I’ll lay on you, then.”
“I wouldn’t have pegged you for a cuddler.”
“I’m not.”
She rested her head on his muscular pec and he folded her into a protective cocoon. He was asleep in minutes, but she lay there listening to him breathe. After what had just happened, how would she be able to keep her hands off him?
How was this a one-night thing?
10
The Breach
Stryker and Emerson were lying on a quiet beach, kissing. The afternoon sun warmed his back. Being with Emerson made him happy, a feeling he wasn’t familiar with, but something he cherished.
A jackhammer interrupted Stryker’s dream and he opened his eyes. The purring beast was sitting on his stomach glaring down at him. Emerson stirred, then reached out and rubbed Pima behind his ears and his purring took off like a jet engine.
Emerson was curled around him. As she extracted herself, she said, “My arm is asleep. I’m not sure we could get any closer.”
“Mein youis closer.”
Her sleepy smile and mussed updo were adorable. Stryker felt drunk. He didn’t do adorable, but that’s exactly who was staring at him. Adorable and sexy. So drawn to her, he leaned over and kissed her.
“I didn’t hear the alarm,” she said.
He glanced at his watch. “Dammit, I forgot to turn it on. It’s seven thirty.”
“Nice move.” She pushed out of bed and he appreciated her backside. Stryker had a type and Emerson was it. Petite and blonde with dark eyes, and a body in proportion to her small frame. She was muscular and dainty at the same time. And smart. He needed a smart, feisty woman. Someone who would push his buttons and keep him up all night long.
Ignoring his boner, he followed.
She handed him a toothbrush wrapped in plastic. “Extra from the dentist. I use an electric.” Then, she eyed his erection. “Good one.”
“I gotta bolt,” he said. “My revenge fuck will have to wait ‘til later.”
“Later?” She snickered. “I got mine. You got laid. We’re done.”
He cupped her chin, kissed her. “We’re just getting started.”
“You are one cocky man.”
“I know what I like.” He smacked her bare ass. “And I’m looking right at her. Don’t you want to feel good? Don’t you want to squirm with pleasure while I suck your tits and fuck you to the moon?”
Sucking down a breath, she gripped the sink vanity. “Wow, you are good with the dirty talk.”
With a wink, he brushed his teeth.
He liked that things weren’t awkward between then. What he didn’t like was theirunfinishedbusiness. After brushing, he raked his fingers through his hair and left the bathroom to get dressed.
Being late for his first meeting snowballed into a clusterfuck of late for the entire day. After pulling on his clothes, he returned to the bathroom. Emerson had pulled her hair out of the messy updo and had repositioned it into a ponytail that sat high on her head.
“I’m outta here. Can you turn off your security system?”
“You aren’t taking a shower?”
“No time,” he replied. “Plus, I’d much rather leave your scent on me all day long.”
