Any Closer

“Oh my God, all I wanna do is touch you every time I see you. Do you know what you do to me with those big brown eyes and your beautiful lips and your hard, capable hands and your arms…. God, I dream about being in your arms every damn night.”

I moved fast, climbing under the covers, and grabbed him, wrapping him in my arms, molding his supple body to mine until we were completely entwined.

He was trembling as I rubbed my chin in his hair, my eyes fluttering closed, feeling my body sink down into the bed.

“Leo, I want you to fuck—”

“Enough,” I told him, my voice a deep rumble in my chest. “There’s never gonna be any fucking, Charlie Ryerson. There will only ever be me and you fooling around or making love or whatever the hell else that involves hugging and kissing and just being together. This is a romance, baby. Nothing else.”

He tried to wriggle even closer as his mouth opened on the base of my throat.

“Tomorrow when we get up, I’ll make you my world-famous spinach omelet, and you’ll tell me all about your family, because I wanna know everything about you.”

He nodded as he slid his leg over my thigh, nestling that much closer. “I went to the bank, you know, and there was a whole lot of money still in that old account of mine. I’m thinking I might get a call or even a visit from Doran Lear once he realizes I closed it.”

“Well, I’ll be right here if he shows up.”

“I know.”

“And I can’t wait to hear what you did with the money.” I yawned softly, loving the feel of him in my arms. He fit so well, like he was made for me.

“I did what you suggested. I donated it to a worthy cause.”

“What?”

“A runaway shelter.”

“Since you yourself were a runaway for a while,” I said, because it made sense.

“Yes.”

“See, I know you,” I assured him, because I did. I knew all about him, and that should have been my first clue that the man was supposed to be mine. Who else could I say that I was absolutely connected to?

“I know you know me, and that’s another reason why I need you to take a chance here. For crissakes, say you’re gonna take—”

“Of course I am. I’m gonna sleep with you in my arms and hold you tight and keep you safe and hug you and kiss you and make love to you when I wake up in the morning. You’re not afraid to trust, and I’m not afraid to try. We both deserve a second chance, don’t you think?”

“I don’t think I deserve you, but I want you. God, Leo, I want you so bad.”

“I’m glad.” I smiled into his hair. “Me too. And you deserve better than me, but you’re screwed, ’cause now you’re stuck with me whether you like it or not.”

“I like it. In fact, I more than like it. I love it.”

I squeezed tighter, and he let out a deep, contented sigh.

“I’m gonna kiss you all over in the morning,” I promised him.

“Good. I can’t wait.”

“In the morning.”

“Yes.” He sighed happily. “In the morning.”