Page 61 of Shea's Hero

“Yes. Definitely.” I smile back at him. “The tour helped for sure. It’s a really cool place now that I’ve seen everything. With the gym and the shooting range and the safe rooms, plus that awesome patio out back.”

Oliver sits on the couch and pulls me onto his lap. “Just wait until the next big barbecue. They’ll probably have one for the Fourth of July. Finn loves to set off fireworks, and since he trained with explosives in the Army, he does some great ones.”

I love how Oliver talks like it’s a given we’ll still be together by then. Not that I have any plans to the contrary, but still. It’s nice. Reassuring.

“That reminds me, talking about events.” Absently, he combs his fingers through my hair, sending little tingles of electricity through my body. “Next weekend, there’s a big fundraiser for the first responders of Sleepy Hollow. It benefits the fire department, the ambulance corps, and the police department. I was thinking you might like to go.”

“What kind of fundraiser? Is it safe?”

He doesn’t hesitate. “Definitely. It’s being held at my friend Cash’s house, he volunteers for the fire department with Ian and Grant.” A beat, and then, “Well, it’s more like a mansion, really. But he has tons of security. Blade and Arrow installed it, and Cash had more added after he got together with his wife, Ari. Plus, some of the B and A guys will be there, along with at least half the police department. So I’d say it’s about as safe as it can get.”

“Okay. That sounds fun. Do I need to dress up?”

“I think it might be formal-ish. So a dress would work.” His voice takes on a hopeful note. “Maybe that silver one I saw in the closet?”

“What silver one?” I know exactly which one, but I love hearing Oliver’s descriptions of them.

“You know. The shimmery one. With the little tassels.”

I smother a laugh. “You mean fringe? Tassels makes it sound like curtains. Or a lampshade.”

“Fringe, then.” He slants his mouth across mine, teasing my lips open and dipping inside. As we kiss, he cups my breast, plumping it in his hand. His thumb flicks across my nipple, drawing it to a taut peak. When we pause to take a breath, he adds, “The sexy dress, Shea. The one I’ve been imagining you in since I saw it.”

Oh.

Andthat’swhy I keep buying dresses. Even the crappy experience with the fake delivery guy hasn’t deterred me from it. Seeing Oliver’s appreciative gaze every time I wear one, feeling his hand on my bare thigh whenever he gets a chance, remembering the times we’d come home and he’d push my skirt up before we even got to the bedroom, taking me against the wall or on the couch or?—

“Shea.” It’s rough. Needy.

“What?”

“Remember when I said I wanted to make sure you were ready?”

My breath catches. Heat coils in my belly. “Yes. And then you thought I was too tired last night.”

“You fell asleep on the couch. I wasn’t about to wake you up.”

“Well.” I pout at him. “You could have.”

Oliver gives me a mock-stern look. “Not when you don’t get enough sleep as is.” A pause, and then, “But. What about now? How are you feeling?”

“Good.” Turning, I straddle his lap, notching myself at his arousal already straining through his pants. With a little wiggle, I add, “Great. Fantastic. Fully awake.”

Desire darkens his eyes. “Did you know that special massage oil came?”

“It did?” An ache pulses at my core. “The edible stuff?”

“Yes.” A corner of his mouth lifts. “And I might have picked up champagne and strawberries on the way home.”

“Oll.” I hop off his lap and give him a mock-stern look. “When were you planning to tell me?”

“Right now. Are you interested in testing out the oil? And maybe having some champagne?”

“Yes. Please.” Grabbing his hand, I start dragging Oliver towards the bedroom. When he pulls against me, I almost growl in frustration. “Why are you stopping?”

“Because, my impatient Shea—” Cupping my cheek, he kisses me again. “I have to actuallygetthe stuff. It’s not all in the bedroom.”

“I’m not impatient,” I retort. “I’m just…”

---