Page 37 of On The Rocks

Surprised he mentioned Navy before musician, I swallowed hard, but I imagined a listing submarine lent him better balance than rowdy musicians.

His heavy arm pinned me to his side, which was just one slab of muscle. Possibly even more than Kain, and I didn’t think that was possible. Kain had a few inches on him in height, but whatever he’d been doing on the orchard since I’d seen him last, had definitely added some bulk to him.

And every inch of it wasVelcro-ed to me.

He lowered his head to my braids and took a deep sniff. “I wondered what you would feel like sometimes. Smell like.”

I stilled against him, hating that I wondered too.

He slid out of the Jeep and put his other foot on the ground and straightened. He bumped into the door before staggering against me.

I wrapped my arm around his back. His shirt rode up and my hand made contact with his warm skin. I couldn’t pull back or I’d definitely dump him against the door again or at the worst, on the ground.

No matter what he said about his sea legs.

My fingers slid down to find his belt loops and used them for an anchor as we cleared the door. “Got your keys?”

“Nope.”

I paused against him, my other hand braced on the door. “I am not bringing you to my place.”

He chuckled. “Door’s open, Lenny.”

“You do know anyone could walk in,” I said, slamming my door.

His eyes glittered in the low light. “Nah. This place is safe. Safer than anywhere I’ve ever been.”

My chest burned.

He was right, but I couldn’t think about that right now.

“Okay, let’s get you inside.”

His arm settled on my shoulder again, dragging my face against his chest. “‘Kay.”

I shoved myself back so I could breathe in something other than clean laundry and spice. “You owe me for this one, my guy.”

“I’ll cook you breakfast.” He put his nose into my hair again. “I make a damn good breakfast.”

“Guys like you do.”

“Like me?” He chuckled. “You don’t know me.”

“Oh, I do.” I urged him forward, my gaze tight on the large door.

“Pfft. I’m not a dog.”

“Sure, you’re not. Let’s just get you inside.”

He sighed. “Sorry.”

“It’s fine. We’ll just get you inside, and you can soak your sore head in a shower in the morning.”

“No,” he said, drawing out the word. “Sorry you think so little of me. Of anyone.”

I didn’t know what to say to that. Easier to ignore it, I shuffled him forward a few steps. He swayed against me, and I was entirely sure we were both going to hit the gravel, but then he straightened out and propelled us forward.

I bit back a groan at the four steps leading to his door. Old, chipped cement stairs would hurt if he pulled me down withhim. I got to the railing and leaned him against it. “One sec, big guy.”

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