Page 31 of Scotch & Shortbread

Alex sighed. “Log cottage. Not the greatest insulation. I keep the fire going in the day. It keeps things warm enough, but it can get cool at night. I’ll chop more wood in the morning. It’s getting low.”

“Well, thanks for the forewarning,” she muttered sarcastically, pulling the blanket tighter around her.

It was a bad idea, but what else could he offer her right now? The lass was freezing, and there wasn’t enough wood to even get a good fire going again. With no other feasible option and against his better judgement, he strode to the bed.

“Come lass,” he said.

Quinn stood stone still, and Alex sighed as he looked back at her. “It’ll be warmer in the bed together. Come, you’re shivering.”

“Ha!” she bit out. “As if! I’m not getting in bed with you!” She was incredulous at the suggestion.

At that point, he was certain she was well aware of his state of undress. He knew more than a few women who would jump at the chance to get into bed with him. It shouldn't have pricked his pride that she was so opposed to the idea. He was tired though, and he felt his mood darken.

“Listen, Quinn, lovely as ye are,” his voice dripped cynically, “I’m not interested in doing anything with ye in this bed aside from sleeping.” In the back of his mind, he fought the idea that his pronouncement might not be altogether true. “I’m simply suggesting we share the bed and share some warmth. If ye’d rather freeze by yerself on the settee, be my guest.”

He’d clearly said his piece and was done now. He got into the bed turned away from her and pulled his blanket up around him.

“Right, I believe you made it clear last night how egregious it would be to sleep with me. Don’t worry. The feeling is mutual.”

Her barb hit its mark and Alex gritted his teeth, holding back a retort.

“Don’t you have an electric heater?” she asked, and he could hear the desperation in her voice, like getting in the bed with him was repugnant.

“Naw,” he snapped, leaving no room for discussion on the matter. “Trust me, lass. I dinnae like this situation either, but ‘tis the one we find ourselves in. If ye dinnae want to freeze, then get in the bloody bed.”

Quinn stood there not knowing what to do. He had felt incredibly warm against her when he had her in the intruder death grip. If it hadn’t been so terrifying, it might have been nice. The man was ridiculously big and strong. And warm. She shivered again.Oh eff it, she thought and quickly stalked to the bed, sliding in beside him before she changed her mind.

Laying ramrod straight so she didn’t accidentally touch him, she pulled the blanket up and tried to get comfortable. Then she crunched her knees to her hoping to ward off the cold as she shivered again.

“For crying out loud woman,” he muttered, rolling over towards her. Then she felt his strong arms wrap around her and easily pull her back up against him as he yanked the covers over them both. Quinn was afraid to breathe. She considered pulling away indignantly, but then his warmth began seeping over her cold tired body. She quickly lost the will to pull away from him and his delicious heat even though he was Mean Cop…Hot Cop. Oh God, she shouldn’t be in his bed wrapped in his arms, but she didn’t move away. Instead, she found herself greedily melting into him stealing his warmth.

She was so tired and so thankful to start warming up that she relaxed surprisingly quickly. There was a bit of blanket wedged between them, creating a slight barrier. And though Quinn still wore her leggings and slim-fit running shirt, by morning, she’d wonder how in the heck she hadn’t realized that Alex was completely naked behind her. She would blame it on the dark room, the drama of a gun to her head, and being distracted by the cold. Who knew how she hadn’t noticed? Or maybe, deep down, she had known.

But in that moment, she only basked in his warmth and the feel of his incredibly solid body at her back—protective and safe. Her conscious mind was blissfully unaware of his nakedness. His muscular arm held her securely to him. At first, her brain was lit up with the awareness of being wrapped in the embrace of Sergeant Mackenzie—in his bed. Mean Cop. Hot Cop. Alex. His strong, rhythmic breathing behind her lulled her senses. A secure, grounded feeling seeped into her bones as lucid thoughts drifted away, and a dreamless sleep claimed her.

21

Morning Glory

Alexawoketoafaint floral vanilla scent, and he breathed deeply as he pulled her warm body close to his. He was aroused by the soft fullness of her behind pressed against his morning erection. He ran his hand over the rounded curve of her hip, and awareness cut through his senses like a bullet.

Fuck, what was he doing? He lifted his arm off her like he’d just brushed his hand over a bomb, but she was still pressed against him and her head was laying over his other arm with her satiny hair sprawled over him. No sooner had Alex pulled away, then she nuzzled her backside tighter up against him and reached back for his free arm pulling it around her again. He would have laughed except his erection was throbbing painfully, distracting all his senses.

Careful not to wake her, he disentangled himself. He should have known having her in his bed would be trouble. In the middle of the night though, he didn’t have any better solutions.

Rolling onto his back, his mind reeled right before he felt her turn towards him, pressing against his side, her leg sliding over his and her hand coming to rest on his bare chest. If that wasn’t bad enough, she sighed as her slender fingers absently stroked his skin.Not immune now are ye, Alex?he chided himself swallowing hard. He needed to remove himself from this situation before he did something he’d sorely regret.

Releasing a deep contented sigh, she stretched against him nestling further into him. It was sweet torture. He recalled how she looked the night she came out of the bar and slammed into him. Her curvy legs. Truth was, he wanted nothing more than to roll her over, rip off her leggings, and slam his throbbing cock into her full hilt. He wanted to watch those big brown eyes fill with desire as he slid slowly in and out of her. Jeezus. Alex gritted his teeth.

Thankfully, she tipped herself the other way and not a moment too soon. Alex took the opportunity to get the hell out of the bed and reach for a pair of sweatpants he had thrown on the chair in the corner. Quinn’s eyes cracked open. She wore sleep well. Her hair was slightly mussed, her eyes heavy-lidded, her cheeks rosy, and her lips plump. It was a good thing Alex was no longer in that bed with her.

“Oh my God!” she squeaked, hiding her head under the covers. “Why aren’t you wearing clothes?” Her panicked voice was muffled by the quilt.

“Well, I am now,” he stated flatly, yanking his sweatpants on. While he couldn’t stop looking at her and fantasizing about her curvy body, she acted horrified to see his. It had been a long time since a woman had looked upon his cock, and her reaction grated. Christ, he was extremely well proportioned to his muscled six foot four frame. Shouldn’t she like what she saw?

Quinn peeked her head back above the covers, and her big brown eyes widened, this time in obvious appreciation as she slid her gaze over his bare chest and down his abs to where his sweats were slung low on his hips.That’s better, he thought with a wave of masculine satisfaction.Good.Then he rebuked himself.Not good. He shouldn’t be so damn pleased with her blatant perusal, but God help him, he had to remind himself not to flex for her.

“Should I skip the shirt?” he asked unable to resist toying with her. She flushed being caught staring and then rolled her eyes and let out a feminine little huff. He smiled as he pulled on a t-shirt.

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