Page 40 of Playing it Country

“It’s Louise, Miss Thelma’s cat. She probably got spooked by the storm like someone else I know and made herself at home in here. Just let her out, and she’ll find her way back—always does.”

I open my mouth and then close it again because honestly there’s not a whole lot to say to that sort of thing before caffeine.

“Anything I can help with?” I ask, and it’s the first time he’s picked up his head since he landed on the floor.

“Can you start the coffee pot?”

“Why don’t you have one of those individual pod coffee machines?”

“Otto and I drank too much for it to be worth it.” He trails off and there’s a sadness I hate that washes over his expression. “I guess I could get one now that he’s with Fallon.”

“You know what?” I say, bounding out of bed and stepping over his unmoving form. “I love coffee from the filter—totally tastes better, right? Definitely. One pot of coffee coming right up.”

I don’t wait for him to respond as I move toward the kitchen as quickly as I can. I’m no slouch when it comes to work, but Case has been going nonstop since I moved in, and now I feel twice as bad for crawling into bed with him last night even if it was the best night of sleep I’ve had in a long time.

The cat trails after me and then scratches at the back door, and as instructed, I open it and Louise trots across the lawn and disappears around the side of the house.

Shaking my head, I’m relieved when the coffee pot hisses and sputters as the smell of coffee fills the air. Case is usually gone for work by the time I wake up, so I don’t know what he usually eats in the morning or if he even eats at all.

If I don’t run in the morning, it takes me at least an hour before I can stomach the idea of putting anything in my mouth. The memory of Case telling me toignore the pokeand thenfeelingit this morning has me thinking just how much I’d like to thank him for letting me into his bed last night.

With my mouth.

His body felt sinful pressed against mine, and the way he held me through the storm has me dying to know what he’s like when the only thing he’s focused on is chasing his own pleasure.

Shaking my head to clear my lust-filled brain, I find a couple of bagels and pop one in the toaster before grabbing the cream cheese from the fridge. His feet pad down the hall and I slide the bagel and coffee cup across the counter as he comes into the kitchen.

“You okay?” he asks, and I press my hands to my heated cheeks.

“Why wouldn’t I be okay?” I ask, my voice a little higher than normal.

“I was pretty out of it last night, but I know you were scared.” He gives me a look like he’s not sure if I was messing with him then or now.

Clearing my throat, I try my most sincere expression and say, “Thank you for that. Really. I didn’t check the weather. I usually take something to help me sleep when I know it’s going to be bad.”

I shift uncomfortably on my feet as he studies me, and then my whole body ignites when his gaze drops to the oversized T-shirt I’m wearing that lands midthigh. His normally cool-gray eyes are absolutely molten.

His phone buzzes in his pocket and he jumps, his gaze flying up to meet mine. I expect him to look apologetic but he looks…hungry. He sighs heavily through his nose when another message comes through.

“I have to go.”

“Okay,” I say quietly.

“Thanks for this.” He holds up the coffee in one hand and the bagel in the other before rounding the island to place a lingering kiss on my cheek. His beard is rough against my jaw in the best way, and the sensation takes a pleasant trip down between my legs.

“Have fun,” I say, a little more breathless than I’d care to admit, and he gives me one more appraising look before sending a gruff “you too”over his shoulder on the way out the door.

Blowing out a breath, I sag against the counter and debate my next move. It’s my off day from running, and I don’t need to be at work until this afternoon so…

“Screw it,” I mumble as I push off the counter and head back to my bedroom where my vibrator awaits.

17

CASE

“You look like hell,” Isla says as I step out of my truck in the parking lot of The Rusty Fender.

“Nice to see you too.”

---