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“And what are you going to do with it?”

My hand wraps around her ankle, gripping firmly. Reminding her that I’m happy to flip her over and spank her ass if she keeps pushing my buttons. It’s not the number; it’s what she’s planning on doing with it.

“I just want to know,” she says, pouting.

“Honestly, I don’t know—it’s a number, but nothing to drop your jaw. Now, it’s your turn.”

Instantly, she shakes her head. “No, thank you. We can talk about my body count later.”

“Why? You think I won’t be able to handle it?”

“Maybe,” she says. “Maybe it’s just you.”

I laugh, shaking my head. “I’d be honored, but you know it doesn’t matter, baby. Right now, that’s my pussy.”

Her cheeks flush dark pink. I don’t really have any business calling her pussy mine, but fuck it, I’m gonna do it anyway. My hand shifts higher, but doesn’t touch the strip of her shorts between her thighs. I’m pretty damn smitten right now. Maybe it’s the fireplace or the wine. Most likely it’s just her. All I can think about is that this is how it should be.

Me, her, out in a cabin someplace.

“Is this what not being always on the go feels like?” I wonder aloud.

She’s quiet, lids low.

“I don’t know. I don’t think it would feel like this if…we weren’t both here.”

“I know.”

We both fall quiet. She finishes her wine, and I get her another glass. Then, I sit on the floor with my back to the couch. She lies behind me on the pillows and touches my hair, long nails combing through it. Nobody has ever touched me like this before. It’s always been in a sexual context, not in an easy, familiar way. A way that makes me feel so damn safe.

“You want another glass?” I ask finally.

“Hmm, better not,” she murmurs.

I stretch to look back at her. “You have a chance to shower?”

“Yeah, when you were gone.”

“I’ll go get all the airport off me. You stay put.”

“Won’t move a muscle,” she drawls.

I believe her, she’s melted into the couch. Reluctantly, because I hate leaving her for a second, I go upstairs for a shower. When I come down in my sweats, she’s curled up on the couch with a faux fur rug to her chin.

“Mind if I join?” I ask.

Smiling sleepily, she lifts the blanket, and I slide in behind her, pulling her close to my body. Right away, I’m hard, but I don’t do anything but settle my groin against her ass. A little sigh escapes her lips.

“Are you happy? Just for now,” I sigh.

“Yes,” she says, wriggling her hips.

My dick throbs, and I push back on her advances, grinding gently. Her head sinks to the side, exposing her neck. My mouth finds it and kisses up to the hollow behind her ear.

“I’m on birth control,” she breathes.

I’m surprised. “Since when?”

“Since I was in Wyoming last.”