Page 68 of Where We Bloom

“That sounds really nice.”

He chuckles, the sound vibrating under my ear. “It’s going to be better thannice.”

“I believe it.” I can’t stop the yawn that comes, and he drags his hand down my back. “Do you have to work tomorrow?”

“I told everyone to fuck off for tomorrow.”

I lift my head and stare at him. “You took yesterday off, too.”

“Aye. I didn’t say they werehappy about it.”

“Connor, you don’t have to do that. If you need to work, work.”

“I need to spend the day with you,” he replies, tucking me under his chin once more. “We may not leave this bed.”

“In that case, yes, you’re taking the day off.”

There’s more chuckling beneath my head. “It’s glad I am that you approve.”

Chapter Twelve

CONNOR

Ihate that she’s so tired. I also hate that this could have been us, this woman in my bed, for the past several months. Instead, I wasted so much time because I didn’t get my head out of my arse long enough to see that not only is she an amazing woman but that she’s alsomine.

Her plump lips pucker in her sleep, and I can’t resist brushing my finger over them, then up her cheek, forehead, and down the bridge of her gorgeous nose.

I’m permanently turned on whenever I’m near her. I always want her. The fact that she had to ask if I wanted to get my hands on her was so preposterous that I almost spread her wide and pushed into her right then and there. I want her so badly. That hasn’t changed since that first time I saw her last year, and it’s only gotten more intense since I realized who she is and how much time our families would spend together. The more I’m aroundher, the more I yearn for her. Her touch, her mouth, her pussy.

But it’s not just about the sex. Not with Billie.

And that’s new for me.

I love her sassy mouth, and I wasn’t lying when I said her work ethic turned me on. She’s a smart woman, and if I thought I could, I’d steal her away to work for me.

But she doesn’t want to work for someone else.

She’s her own boss.

And I’m damn proud of her.

Speaking of work, I do have some things to do if I’m going to take the day off with her tomorrow, so I press my lips to her forehead as I roll her onto her back and gently slip from the bed, careful not to wake her. Padding out of the room, I walk downstairs to turn off lights and lock up, set the alarms, and check in with Miller. Then I swing by my office to grab my laptop.

I’ll work from bed so I can keep an eye on my angel.

After snatching a couple of bottles of Billie’s favorite water from the fridge, I return upstairs and set the water at the bedside. I’ve just set my computer down and pulled my shirt off when I hear her whimper for the first time.

My gaze falls to her, and I furrow my brow when she shifts in the bed, a frown between her brows.

Quickly, I shed my sweats and climb between the sheets to gather her against me.

“Shh, it’s okay.” I kiss her head and hug her close, and she sighs. “I’m here, angel.”

But she doesn’t settle. She whimpers again, and thistime, she grinds her pelvis against mine, wrapping her leg over my hip, and my hand drifts down to her lush arse, gripping it firmly.

“Connor.” She’s awake now, kissing my bare chest, and every molecule in my body is fully awake and wanting her.

“Did you have a bad dream?” I murmur into her hair, and she shakes her head as she looks up at me with bright hazel eyes.

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