Page 78 of Noble Neighbor
Be brave, Sunny.
His chest moved beneath her cheek as he breathed out a long sigh. “Need to be on our way,” Oliver said, unwrapping his hold on her.
She struggled upright, heart pounding.
His gaze swept from the dozing Clement on the armchair where Tabitha still slept to the lightly snoring Kenzie curled in a ball on the other end of the couch. “Let me carry Kenzie up for you. Hey, Clem.” Oliver moved his leg, gently nudging Clement's foot with his. “Son, time to head home.”
Sunny put a hand on Oliver’s arm as he pushed forward to rise. “Clem can sleep in the spare room. Spend the night. We—”
Be brave.
Swallowing back her fear, she met his questioning look. “We can have a … sleepover.”
“All night?” he whispered. The hopeful look in his eyes floored her, both of them understanding it was more — far more — than sex she was offering.
She nodded. “I’ll even teach you to make pancakes in the morning.”
“Now why would you want to do that?” he asked, frowning.
“It would make Molly happy.”
He blinked. “Guess if we can figure making apple crumble slices, you can teach me to make pancakes.”
Oliver carried Kenzie to bed, and while Sunny settled her daughter, he made sure Clement was comfortable.Crossing the landing after checking up on Molly, she heard Oliver downstairs letting the dogs out for a final run.
A slow smile spread across her face, and she rushed toward her bedroom, eager to change into the pale-blue, silk-and-lace negligee she’d splurged on.
She was lighting the last candle when he appeared in the doorway. Sunny turned to face him. He stepped across the threshold and closed the door, turning the key without taking his gaze from her. She relished the stark longing on his face as he stalked closer, shedding his sweatshirt along the way.
He pulled her into his arms without saying a word. He didn’t have to. It was all in his kiss.
It was in the tenderness of his touch as he hooked a finger in the shoestring strap, and his lips followed the silk sliding from her shoulder, catching halfway down her upper arm.
It was in the reverence of his look when the back of his hand trailed across her chest, his eyes following the movement.
It was in the groan of appreciation as the second strap suffered the same fate as the first and momentum took care of the rest, silk pooling to the ground around her feet, leaving her naked before him.
He took his time, turning her into a trembling and desperate bundle of need.
But that was okay. They had all night after all, and then they had tomorrow.
And all the tomorrows thereafter.
Wrapped in him, in his love, in his commitment to her, she was seduced when she’d set out to seduce.
How she loved this man.
This noble, perfect man.
And it was impossible to keep that knowledge contained.
“I love you, Oliver,” she blurted.
His body stilled, and his eyes flashed to hers.
Loved blazed back at her.
His arms snaked around her body, and he pulled her against him. “And I love you. So very much, Sunny,” he said right before his mouth took hers again.
