Page 47 of Untamed

“Riv?”

I roll over and stretch, but the bed is empty.

“Good morning.”

Sitting up, I see him standing in the doorway, his Wranglers stretched tight over his thighs and a dirty white T-shirt clinging to his chest.

“It should really be illegal to look that good this early.” I groan and fall back into the pillow.

“I brought you coffee,” he says with a smile. “I’ll set it here on your side for when you’re ready.”

My side.

“Stay in bed, darlin’. You have work today?” He sits down next to me, pushing my hair out of my face and looking at me in that way that makes my heart beat a little faster.

“Nope.” I smile up at him. “I’m off all day. Shouldn’t you be?”

“No rest for the wicked.” He winks. “Rhett asked us yesterday if we’d help him over at his house. He’s building a big-ass deck.”

“Yeah?” I sit up and take the coffee in my hands. It’s got plenty of milk, and when I take a sip, I realize he’s added some hazelnut flavoring. My favorite.

“Hazelnut.” He grins. “Bought it when you started lookin’ in my direction again.”

“Thought I’d be sleeping over, cowboy?”

He shrugs. “Anyway, the kids would love to see you, I’m sure. And Poppy. We’ll all be over there if you want to come. Take your time, shower and change, and come over to join us.”

“Change? Into what, may I ask?”

“Your clothes from yesterday are in the dryer. Washed them this morning while your lazy ass slept like a baby.”

“I was recovering from the multiple orgasms you gave me last night.” I smile at him and lean forward, asking for a kiss. He gives it to me, and he tastes like toothpaste and smells like his shampoo.

“Take your time. Sleep in if you want. It’s still really early.”

“Gathered that from the sun barely being up.”

He leans in and kisses me again.

“You have no idea how long I’ve waited to see you here.”

“In your bed?” I raise an eyebrow.

“In my house,” he corrects. “In my bed is just a bonus. But I’ve always wanted to see you here. This place was empty without you.”

“You sound pretty confident that this is what you want.” I reach out and take his hand. “You said a lot last night about us, about me being in this house and in your life. We went from friends to whatever the hell we were for all those years, to now…this. Is this what you want?”

“Why would you think it isn’t?”

“Because we moved at lightning speed.” I give him a reassuring smile. “If you’re having second thoughts…”

He throws his head back, laughing with his whole chest.

“Shut up.” He stands, giving me a kiss. “Meet me at Rhett’s when you’re ready to get your cute ass out of bed.”

I watch him leave, a little confused and a lot happy.

*** HAYES ***

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