with a finger under her chin. “Just because one man didn’t see that about you doesn’t mean it’s not true.”
“I really like you,” she said, surprising him. Though perhaps he shouldn’t have been—she was an honest woman.
“I really like you too.” He leaned in and brushed his lips over hers. “A lot.” He kissed her, long and deep. When he pulled away, he said, “I need another cold shower.”
She swatted playfully at him. “It was just a kiss.”
“It’s everything about you.” He groaned, wanting her as bad as he wanted his animal shelter. Wasn’t that enough to know he’d find a way to have both?
With a smile, she said, “It’s kind of late and I was just dozing off, but… Do you want to join me?”
“Hell, yes.”
She threw back the enormous comforter, half of which covered the cushions on the sofa. The other half had covered her. She wore silk pajamas in ivory, yet feminine as they were, there was barely an inch of flesh showing below her neck. He wanted to feel her skin against his, but didn’t want to push to get her naked—he didn’t want her thinking all he sought from her was sex.
“You comfortable?” His gaze dropped to her the button-down top.
With a knowing look, she said, “How about you give me your shirt?”
He stripped off his navy-colored tee and handed it to her.
She brought the material to her nose and inhaled deeply, then sighed. “Smells like you.” Setting it aside, she stood and slipped out of her PJs—which she wore nothing beneath, his gut, groin and libido noted—then pulled his shirt over her head.
Caleb undressed to his briefs before settling on the wide sofa with her. He lay on his back and she snuggled next to him, pressed against the back of the sofa. She rested her head on his shoulder and splayed a hand over his stomach. He pulled the comforter over them, enveloping them in a warm and cozy cocoon.
“This beats curling up with a book any day of the week,” she said in a charming tone.
“And I would’ve hated sleeping alone after holding you last night and waking up with you in my arms this morning.”
She left a few kisses on his chest. “You really do say the sweetest things.”
“Aw, shucks,” he whispered.
Reese relaxed against him. His arm draped over her shoulder under the blanket, and his other hand lay in the dip of her waist. Their legs tangled.
She said, “I’m glad it’s winter. The chill in the air makes all this body heat necessary.”
His low chuckle warmed her further. “Not to mention damn tempting.”
“Yes, there is that.”
Though neither of them made a move to take advantage of the close proximity and near nudity. Caleb like holding her. She seemed content with the situation as well. He closed his eyes and listened to her steady breathing until sleep consumed him.
* * * * *
He woke in the middle of the night. Reese’s fingers brushed over his belly, up to his pecs. She was still nestled beside him, his arm around her. They’d burrowed a bit farther under the comforter, and it was nice and warm. Though her gentle touch hitched up his internal temperature even more.
Placing his hand over hers, he guided her downward to the erection straining against the crotch of his briefs. Her fingers grazed his cock and he groaned, low and deep.
No two ways about it, he craved her touch. She stroked him through the nylon material as she kissed his chest, then tongued his nipple, which tightened his groin further.
He shifted on the sofa so she lay on her back. He kissed her deeply, reveling in the feel of her body beneath his. His hand moved up her bare thigh, over her hip and to her breast. His thumb swept over her nipple and her body jerked in response.
Breaking their kiss, his lips slid slowly along the long column of her throat. He nipped softly at her flesh, then whispered in the darkness, “I want to come inside you.”
“Yes.”
Excitement flowed through him, kicking up his pulse. He moved away from her for just a few seconds as he poked a hand out of the cocoon and felt around on the floor for his jeans. She whipped off the T-shirt she wore as he dug the wallet out of his back pocket and fished out the condom he’d stashed there this morning, having no idea when or where the mood might strike with Reese.