Page 59 of Fire in My Heart

I didn’t think about what it meant that he followed me home to share my bath with me. It didn’t mean he wanted a relationship or anything more than sex. But my hopeful heart couldn’t help but desire more.

Whether he realized it or not, he was the full package: protective, caring, and sweet under all that gruff. I couldn’t resist the combination.

Each time I slid down, I ground my clit against his pelvis, driving me higher. Teddy closed his mouth over my nipple, sending zings of desire straight to my clit. I moaned as the orgasm flowed through me.

I spasmed around his cock, feeling like I’d never get enough. With a slight bite of his teeth around my nipple, he let go to grip my hips. He took over pounding into me from underneath. The water sloshed out of the tub, but neither of us cared.

My heart called out for more, but I didn’t dare say anything out loud. Teddy wasn’t ready to hear it, and I wasn’t sure he’dever be. I had to remember that this thing was a temporary release.

It didn’t mean that he thought of me as anything more than a coworker or a woman he was attracted to.

With a roar, Teddy thrust hard inside me one last time. He held me tight to him, like he didn’t want to let me go.

I lowered my head to his shoulder, wishing for so much more than this. I just hoped he felt it too and would keep an open mind. But he was so set in his ways. I wasn’t sure he’d ever change, not even for me.

Eventually, Teddy lifted me off him to remove the condom. Then he rejoined me in the tub, sitting behind me.

I snuggled against him, my back against his chest, his legs at my sides. It was a tight fit since he was so big, but I felt like I was surrounded by him. I felt safe and content. “Was this what you were imagining all day?”

“You always exceed my expectations,” he murmured against my ear; his arms hung loosely around my body.

His muscles were lax, and for once, he wasn’t on high alert. I liked that I could help him relax. But I wasn’t sure if he even realized he was usually hyperaware of his surroundings. He never fully let go of his job.

I loved that I could be a soft spot for him to land. I just hoped he didn’t freak out when he realized being around me softened him. I had a feeling he wouldn’t like it.

He held tightly onto his rituals and routines, his priorities and responsibilities. He took everything so seriously. I wanted to be the one person who could help him let go.

He kissed my temple, sending a tingle through my body. “I could get used to this every night. I see why you like it.”

I sighed, content to be in his arms.

I let my head fall back on his shoulder, the water lapped at my breasts when he shifted. One of his palms pressed firmly against my stomach, and the second rested loosely on my thighwhere his fingers were making circles on my skin. “Where would you live if you could live anywhere you wanted to?” he asked me.

“I never thought much about it, but now that I’m living here, and I have the beautiful views of the fields and trees, I might like to have some property. But that’s so far into the future.”

“I own a house on several acres.” His voice hummed against my ear, sending shivers down my spine.

I liked being this close to him with nothing between us. It was intimate.

“You used to work at a marketing firm. Isn’t that lucrative? I would think you would have a place by now.”

“Eh. You had to work a lot of hours, and it didn’t pay big until you worked there a long time.” And I hadn’t. “It’s fairly cutthroat with people stealing ideas. I didn’t like the atmosphere.”

He brushed a strand of hair off my shoulder. “I suppose you wouldn’t do well in a place like that.”

“Why would you say that?” I asked, curious what he thought of me.

“You’re good and probably too trusting.” He soothed his words with a light kiss on my shoulder.

“You think I’m too trusting?” Is that how I got involved with Rick? I thought everyone had good inside of them and didn’t recognize the warning signs?

“I suspect you are. But that’s just years of honing my instincts on the job. You surprised me because I had a different vision of you inside my head.”

I shifted so I could see his face. “Oh, yeah, and what was that?”

“I thought you were spoiled, entitled even. You came here demanding lodging at the cottage as part of your contract. You were so confident you’d get what you wanted.”

I stiffened. “Is there something wrong with a confident woman?”

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