Page 20 of Wolfish Hunger
She bursts out laughing, and then we head straight to bed.
Once she's snuggled up in the blankets with me, her luscious body cuddled against mine, I hear her sigh, as if the tension is fading away.
I kiss her forehead gently. "I'm so proud of you, baby. You busted right out of your comfort zone. I noticed how you were directing all the guys. You really took charge."
"I certainly wouldn't say that. But you needed someone who could cook simple, hot food in a hurry, and I was there. So…you know." She shrugs, her hand shifting a bit before coming to a stop in the center of my chest.
"You jumped in and took charge, baby. Acknowledge that. I think it was awesome."
I catch her smile in the near dark. "It was to help other people."
"Yes, which is exactly how we operate out here. We take care of each other." My hand snakes over her hip to rest on her bare thigh. "Are you going to be okay with that when it happens now and then?"
"What do you mean, be okay with it?"
"Well, it's clear to everyone around here that you're with me now. Which means there will be some stares. Some comments. Little old ladies are going to come over and ask you where your family is from. That kind of thing."
There's a long, quiet sigh. "That’s something I can probably deal with…once in a while. But I'm going to need to sleep on it.”
"Of course, baby." I kiss the top of her hair. "You must be worn out."
She snorts. "That stupid plank bridge. I swear, it’s used up all my adrenaline for at least a month."
As her head tips up, I catch her lips against mine in a featherlight kiss. "You were amazing. A real trooper." My fingers tighten against her skin. "The kind of woman I've always dreamed of."
Her soft eyes glow as she smiles. "I was never brave enough to dream of someone like you."
"Too bad. I'm here now, and I want this to be real. Permanent." Her eyes grow wide and her lips fall open, but I kiss her before she can speak. "We’re both too tired to think at the moment. Just rest, baby."
"I'll try." She shifts a bit, her feet finding mine.
"And then in the morning, I'm gonna tell you again how proud I am of you. How badly I want you to stay here with me. How I already know in my heart that we belong together…" My hand brushes against her thigh a few times, then we both go still. "And a whole bunch more super mushy stuff that I can't think of at the moment."
Sammie's giggle warms my heart. More than that, it's the way she's so comfortable being naked against me, relaxing and letting go completely.
My shy girl is no longer shy withme. That’s amazing.
12
SAMMIE
Iwake up alone in Kane's bed, my arm wrapped around a pillow and an extra blanket tucked around my feet to keep them warm. As if I needed any more proof that this incredible man is laser focused on pampering me.
I dress quickly, putting my hair up into a high ponytail before stealing one of Kane’s hoodies. Wow… It's almost as soft as those towels – and his sheets, and his pillows. Although Kane doesn't act like a billionaire, the luxury details speak for themselves.
Not to mention, he and his brothers have the financial wherewithal to pitch in and help forty-odd families at a moment's notice. It makes me wonder what else they're doing for the town.
Actually, I don't have to wonder at all. I could just ask him.
I walk quietly to the kitchen, pausing in the doorway for a moment to watch my gorgeous man looking back and forth between the stove and a video on his laptop. I hear a voice coming from the laptop explaining exactly when to fold the omelet in half.
His head spins around as I giggle. “Morning-morning. How are those gorgeous thighs?"
I step into the room, then bounce experimentally a few times. "Oh! You're right. I definitely feel it."
He chuckles, then pours me a coffee. "Stand back. I'm going to subject you to my very first attempt at a proper omelet."
"And I will enjoy eating it no matter how it turns out."
