Page 54 of California Dreaming

So he swallowed down the words and simply said, “Neither have I. You’re so special, Tessa. So damned beautiful and smart and talented… and amazing in bed too.”

She wriggled closer to him and slipped her arms around his neck, stroking his skin with her fingertips. Her lips met his, and she whispered against them, “You’re the one who’s amazing, Arch.” Then, to his surprise, she said, “And I can’t get enough.”

Despite all his exertion, he felt himself getting aroused again. He wanted more of her, and she wanted more of him, and so they began to make love, slower and more tenderly this time. They explored and enjoyed each other’s bodies in a way he could only have dreamed of before tonight.

And already he couldn’t wait for more of her.

Chapter Twenty-Two

The morning sun shone through the gauzy curtains, and Tessa turned her face toward it, letting the warmth touch her face. She’d never awakened with such a feeling of peace. And then she remembered why… and shivered with pleasure.

Arch had been the perfect lover, beyond her wildest dreams. She’d given every inch of herself to him, and he’d kissed it, licked it, caressed it. He moved in ways she’d never experienced before.

He’d known what she needed more than she had herself.

And now here she was, naked in his gigantic bed, watching him sleep.

How did I ever get so lucky?

He looked beyond sexy with his dark hair against the pillow, one tanned, well-muscled arm behind his head.

Unable to help herself, she kissed his neck, tasting his salty skin and inhaling his scent.

Slowly, he opened his eyes. When he saw her, he grinned. “Well, good morning.”

She matched his smile and said, “It is a good morning.”

He pulled her down for a kiss, and although she suddenly felt shy despite everything they’d shared the night before, she parted her lips to let his tongue tangle with hers.

The kiss was heavenly. Heck, every single thing about Arch was heavenly.

When they finally pulled away, he rolled out of bed.

“Hey, where are you going?” she teased. “I’m not sure I’m done with you yet.”

He flashed her a saucy grin. “You make me coffee every morning. Today, it’s my turn. Except you get to drink yours in bed.” He pulled on a pair of boxers and his leg boot, then turned at the doorway to waggle a finger at her. “Don’t move!”

She nodded, letting herself fully enjoy the sight of his perfect physique walking away.

She lay back in sheets rumpled by their lovemaking and stretched. She couldn’t remember the last time she hadn’t been shaken from sleep by an early alarm, let alone the last time someone had fixed her morning coffee. She didn’t even know what time it was.

The feeling was bliss.

Within minutes, Arch came back, carrying a wooden tray. She sat up, propping herself on the plump pillows.

“Your coffee, madam,” he said, gently setting the tray across her lap. On it was a latte with a heart swirled into the foam and a bud vase holding a white rose from the bouquet he’d bought earlier in the week.

“It’s so pretty!” she exclaimed, thanking him. “I wish I could sketch it and remember this moment always.”

Arch grinned again, and her heart leaped as she knew that she was making him as happy as he was making her.

“Your wish is my command,” Arch said and disappeared again.

She took a tiny sip of her coffee so as not to disturb the foam heart just yet and sighed in contentment. It was delicious.

When Arch returned, he was carrying her backpack of art supplies. Sheepishly, he said, “I didn’t know what you needed, so I brought it all.”

The caregiver in her wanted to scold him for carrying something so heavy on his own down the stairs, but considering the way he’d thrown her around the bed last night, he was already a lot stronger than she would have thought. And she hadn’t warned him to take it easy when he was sending her straight to heaven, again and again…

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