Page 63 of In Spades

The rhythmic thump of his boots carried through the empty house as he plodded down the stairs.

My fingers lingered over the lock when I shut the door, but I decided against it. Will had proven himself to me. And I wouldn’t mind if he stormed back in here and ravaged me with a heated kiss.

He knew I had hang-ups, though he didn’t know what they were yet. He was patient, waiting for me to come to him on my terms.

Well, my terms and those of the poker club girls.

Speaking of…

I pulled my phone from my purse and shot Logan and Kylie a text to check in and make sure they were okay. Of course, they were over the moon. They loved hanging out with Chase and Hannah Jane.

Since they were neighbors, that meant Hannah Jane would cook or order in. They’d have a big meal at her house before Chase took the boys back to his place for video games. Hannah Jane would keep Kylie and Zoey so she could pamper and spoil them.

Satisfied that the kids were safe and taken care of, I eyed the overnight bag lying on the bed. Lord only knows what sort of fresh hell the girls threw in there.

I yanked on the zipper and was pleasantly surprised to find a pair of sweatpants and a soft long-sleeved shirt on top. I pawed through the rest and found a cute set of pajama shorts and a tank top. There was a change of clothes for tomorrow and some basic toiletries.

I love my girls. They teased and gave me hell, but when it came down to it, they cared. Really cared.

I shimmied out of my dress and laid it across the vanity before changing into the sleep shorts and tank. Goosebumps sprang up across my arms and down my legs as the air condition chilled my skin. Slightly more effective than a window unit.

I contemplated a glass of wine, but sleep called my name.

Thick covers and silk sheets hugged me like a cloud as I crawled into bed. I groaned with pleasure when my head hit the pillow. Luxurious memory foam cradled every inch of me. It felt like a dream the moment I closed my eyes. In no time at all, I drifted off to sleep.

A soft knock on the door woke me, but I didn’t stir until the smell of steaks wafted into the room. Reluctantly, I lifted my head with a grunt. “Hmm?”

Will leaned against the frame of the open door, arms crossed and grinning like a buffoon. “I knew it.”

“Knew what?” I asked, yawning.

“That you’d look fucking adorable when you woke up.”

I giggled and flopped back down. “My hair probably looks like a tumbleweed.”

He chuckled. “An adorable tumbleweed.”

Peering at him through hooded eyes, I noted that he had changed into gray sweatpants and white henley. He had the sleeves pushed up to his elbows, showing off all that delicious arm porn.

Thick veins snaked up the back of his hands and around his arms. I closed my eyes and imagined those hands gripping my body. Manhandling me into whatever position pleased him. Digging his fingers into my skin as he?—

“You hungry?” he asked.

I clenched my thighs together. “Mhmm.”

He sauntered into the room and sat down at the foot of the bed, resting a hand on my blanket-covered ankle. The mattress dipped under his weight. “Sleep okay?”

I nodded and smiled, curling my fingers and toes as I stretched. “I can’t remember the last time I slept that well.”

Will slid his hand up my leg, stalling at my thigh. I bit my lip, wishing he’d move just a little higher. The last two weeks had reawakened needs that had been dormant for years.

I didn’t bother changing out of my pajamas, considering he had slipped into a pair of sweats while I was asleep. God bless gray sweatpants.

Dinner was fantastic. Will grilled steaks and made green beans with bacon and butter—just the way I like them. The mashed potatoes were so fluffy I was convinced he had served me literal clouds from heaven.

We chatted about the inn and a little more about what he did for work.

He assured me that he wasn’t a tech-savvy mercenary. I remained unconvinced.

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