Page 31 of Wild Irish

He drags his hand over the back of his neck. “I was actually thinking I wouldn’t mind staying in here tonight. If ye don’t mind. The couch isn’t made for sleeping.”

Oh.

My heart hammers a little faster in my chest. I nod.

His lips twitch up slightly. After he turns off the lights, he pulls the comforter down beside me and crawls in. He lies on his back, placing a hand behind his head, staring up at the ceiling.

We lay in silence, and I wonder what he’s thinking. My own brain is a chaos of thoughts and emotions, and I wish I could turn it off, like he appears to have done.

Enjoy the moment.

I ache in places I didn’t even know existed. It’s a good ache. A reminder of the pleasure we shared.

His thigh touches mine, but the rest of his body is pulled away from me.

I sigh. There’s no way I’m going to sleep now. My head is spinningandI’m still naked.

“What’s wrong?” he grumbles.

“Nothing.”

“Delaney.” It’s a command.

I start to get out of bed, but he reaches out and captures me around the waist, pulling me back into bed with him. He’s on top of me, and the warmth of his bare chest against my breasts makes my nipples harden.

“Where are ye going?”

“To get something to sleep in.”

His callused fingers roam across my skin, and his lips press against the sensitive skin below my ear. “But I like ye like this.”

A tremble races through me. “It’s not fair.”

“What isn’t?”

“You’re dressed.”

He chuckles. “No, I guess that isn’t fair, is it?”

A second later, his pants are discarded on the floor, and he pulls me back to him so that my back is against his chest, and my ass is snug against his already semi-hard erection.

A murmur of pleasure leaves my throat, my body already wanting more.

“Goodnight, Delaney,” he growls against my ear, his scruff tickling my neck.

I yawn. “You can’t expect me to sleep when you’re holding me like this.”

He chuckles, his thumb flicking across my nipple. “Close yer eyes.”

I moan, but my eyes close, and I’m suddenly aware of how exhausted I am. But this – cuddling – it’s totally against the rules he set out.Isn’t it?

“But–”

“Sleep.” His voice is softer now, his breathing steadier.

Melting into the warmth of his arms, I allow myself a moment to enjoy his touch. I have no delusions that it means anything more than what it is. But it’s…nice.

No.

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