Page 29 of His to Claim

Carlotta makes a soft sound then stretches like a satisfied cat, practically purring. Her pretty dark eyes flutter open and a shy smile curves her mouth.

“Good morning,” I say, loving how relaxed and content she looks. She has the expression of a very satisfied woman, thanks to me, and my chest puffs out a little. Somehow, she’s always making me feel proud of myself.

“Morning.” She props herself up on an elbow, holding the blanket up to her chest. I’m tempted to pull it down and suck those gorgeous breasts of hers, but I manage to restrain myself. “What’re you doing up so early?”

“Admiring you.”

“Oh, geez, stop. I’m a mess in the morning.”

“No, you’re lovely,” I insist.

For a moment, we stare at each other.

“About last night…” I begin.

“Please, don’t tell me you regret what we did. Please,” she adds softly, “because that was probably the best night of my life.”

“No, not at all, sweetheart. I just want to find out what you’re thinking and how you’d like to proceed.”

“Proceed?” she echoes, tilting her head.

I shrug a shoulder. “I know I said only one night, but I figure while we’re here…”

My voice trails off and, from the look in her eye, she knows exactly what I’m saying. Or, in this case, not saying.

“Just so I’m clear, are you suggesting we continue last night for as long as we’re at the cabin?”

I realize I’m holding my breath. If she says no, I can’t blame her. But, goddamn, it’s going to kill me. “Yes.”

Her mouth edges up. Seductive, challenging. “Hmm. Did you have a good time last night, Archer?” she teases. So sassy.

Wicked, little thing. She knows damn well I did. “Yes. Very much so.” I’m at her mercy and I wait impatiently for her decision.

She rolls onto her back. “I’m going to have to think about it,” she murmurs, and I can tell by her playful tone that she isn’t serious.

“Vixen,” I say, then crawl over and start dropping kisses wherever I find bare skin. Her shoulder, collarbone, neck, cheek. Finally, my mouth captures hers and we kiss for several very long, delicious moments.

Carlotta pulls back, searching my face, and runs her fingers through my hair. “You’re the one who keeps wanting to put a time limit on this, not me,” she reminds me softly.

I look away, knowing she’s right, yet also knowing it’s because there’s no other choice. “Because I don’t want anything bad to happen to you. What I do is dangerous and the lifestyle I live isn’t conducive to a relationship.”

“What exactly do you do?” she asks.

“I make it my business to know things. And for the right amount of money, I’ll share my intel.”

She nods slowly. “And you share intel with Miceli?”

“Yes. All the time.”

“He must pay you well,” she surmises.

“He does.”

“So you aren’t actually friends with him. More like business associates.”

I like Miceli, sure, but she’s right. “It’s safer that way,” I tell her. “People who get too close to me…”

My voice trails off and she frowns.

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