Page 38 of Unleashed

“Three.” Her teeth caught her full lower lip in a way that made my blood run hot. “I was hungry, and you looked so peaceful sleeping. I didn’t want to wake you. Not after you worked so hard tonight. You deserved your beauty rest.”

I snorted. “Beauty rest, huh?” I reached around her to kill the burner. Then couldn’t resist pressing my lips to that soft spot below her ear that made her shiver. “Move over. Grilled cheese happens to be my specialty.”

She scooted sideways on the counter, giving me room to work, but the tiny kitchen meant she sat right beside the stove.

“In my defense.” Her voice went all breathy, the way it did right before she completely derailed my sanity. “I was distracted just now thinking about that thing you did with your tongue.”

Fire shot through my veins. “Yeah?” I shifted to face her, stepping between those long, dangerous legs, my hands finding bare skin that felt as smooth as silk under my callused palms. Her fingers trailed up my neck, threading into my hair in a way that made my brain short-circuit. “What thing was that?”

She leaned forward, her lips brushing my ear. “You know exactly what thing.” Her husky whisper could bring stronger men than me to their knees. “The one that made me—”

I crushed my mouth to hers, swallowing her words. She tasted like toothpaste and pure temptation. When her long legs wrapped around my waist to drag me closer, I almost surrendered.

“Thought you were hungry?” The words came out rough, my lips brushing hers as I spoke.

“Starving.” But the way she rolled those hips against me? Food was the last thing on her mind.

An hour later, a plaintive meow pulled me from my satisfied haze for the second time. Bright sat at the foot of the bed, somehow managing to look both hopeful and thoroughly disgusted.

“Your boy’s angry.”

Lily burrowed deeper into my side, her nose finding the hollow between my arm and the pillow. “Promised him grilled cheese.”

I shoved up on my elbow and swept her tangled hair away from her face. Her eyes stayed shut, dark lashes fanned against flushed cheeks. “Bad fur mom, starving your kid of his midnight snack.”

One eye cracked open, pinning me with a glare no less lethal at half-strength. “Got distracted.”

I grunted, but didn’t fight a smile. “You still hungry?”

She rolled onto her back and her other eye popped open. “Will you be annoyed if I say yes?”

I pressed one last kiss to her throat before rolling to the side of the bed. “Nope.”

I swung my legs over the side as I pulled my boxers back on. No practice, no games loomed ahead—nothing but free time stretched before me. I’d need to head home for a change of clothes soon, but other than that? It’d take an act of God to separate me from Sutton.

At the door, I paused, looking back at the woman watching me from her bed. Dark hair splayed over the pillows, eyes heavy-lidded but not from sleep. The blanket draped low, teasing at curves I already craved exploring again. Need punched through my chest—to take her home with me, to learn the rhythm of her days, and her mine. To weave myself into her world.

“Come keep me company.” The words escaped before I could second-guess them.

Her smile bloomed slow and sweet as she slid from the bed. She swiped my henley from the floor, tugging the fabric over her head. The sight of her draped in my clothes sparked fresh hunger, but her stomach let out a loud grumble. When she ducked her head and tried retreating to bed, I snaked an arm around her waist.

As she shrieked and laughed, I half-carried, half-dragged her into the kitchen. Boosting her up onto the counter again, I dove into sandwich-making mode, ready to impress my girl with some serious skills.

But one peek in her mini-fridge had me groaning. “Hollywood, processed American slices? Just the one kind?”

“Feeling judged here.” Her laugh rolled through me like whiskey.

“Three cheeses minimum for proper grilled cheese.” I planted my hands on my hips, eyeing her pathetic pantry. “And this? Square white bread? Sacrilege.”

“Pardon me, Chef Vignier.” She swung her feet, bumping the bottom cabinet with her heels. “Enlighten me on the proper ingredients.”

“Sharp cheddar for bite.” I layered the sad American cheese on the pitiful excuse for a slice of bread. I could make it work. “Gruyere for melt factor. Maybe some fontina to smooth it all out. And real bread—sourdough, thick cut.”

“I had no idea there were rules for grilled cheese. And who knew Captain Viggy would have all the know-how?”

I nodded, slanted her a wink. “I know a little something about delivering a top tier grilled cheese experience.”

She blushed, that color revving me up when I should have been exhausted.

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