Hate You Not

His hand is fisting my hair. He laughs as he lets me go, but he can’t stop panting.

“Fuck, June, that was so good. I was ready.”

I grin and brush a kiss over his lips. Then I ruffle his hair. I smile, and he smiles back, and there are actual butterflies in my belly, just like in the romance novels.

I kiss his cheek, and he looks down again, like he’s not quite sure what to make of my attention. “I like you like this,” I whisper.

“How?” he asks, the word a rumble.

“Cuddly and shy and un-Burke-like.”

“I’m not cuddly.” But he’s grinning, and he still looks sleepy, like a bear emerging from some hibernation.

“You are, too.” I stand up and hold a hand out, as if I can help him to his feet. “Come with me. And hurry.”

He lets me pretend I’m pulling him up. Then I lead him through the kitchen and into the living room, past Leah, who—oh, shit!—is sitting on the couch eating an apple. Her whole face stretches in shock as I drag Burke past her down the quiet hall. He chuckles darkly as I pull him into my room.

“Lie on the bed, boy toy.”

He looks around the room, as if he thinks someone might be hiding in a corner, but he does what I say, kicking his flip-flops off before hoisting himself up atop the duvet.

I walk over to the bedside, riffling around my nightstand drawer for…this. I hold up a white bottle, twist the top off, and shake a small pill out into my palm. I hold it up to his lips.

“Do you trust me?” I grin. “It’s a chewable, so nothing crazy.”

He laughs as if he thinks I’ve lost my mind—which I probably have.

When I move the pill toward his mouth, he opens for me. I set the small, white tablet on his tongue, holding his gaze as he closes his lips around my fingers. I pull them out one by one, suppressing a shiver.

“Let that dissolve.” I put my hand on his chest, urging him to lie back on my pillows. Then I pull the covers over him and make a silly show of tucking them around his big, hard body.

“And now close your eyes.”

He does as I ask, but he takes a deep breath, like it costs him something.

I smooth his hair back off his forehead and trace his thick brows with my fingertips. Then I reach over to my nightstand and turn on the little white noise machine beside my landline phone.

“Keep your eyes closed,” I murmur. “And think about me sliding under the covers beside you. Put your hand here—” I take his big, thick hand and spread it over his heart— “and just feel yourself breathe.”

I lean down and kiss his cheek. “I’ll be back.”

When I check on him in fifteen minutes, he’s asleep.Chapter 26BurkeI wake to the sensation of something heavy on my lap…and someone’s hands in my hair. June. She smells so damn good. I smile as she rubs her cheek against mine. I can feel her smile back.

“I’m your stubble’s biggest fan.” She kisses my temple, and I lift my heavy eyelids.

Her brown eyes are soft on mine, her face more gentle than I’ve ever seen it. “How do you feel?” she murmurs.

I blink around her room. Still daylight. “Did I fall asleep?” My voice is hoarse. I clear my throat, looking around for a clock.

“Yeah, you slept a while. It’s just a little after one.” I watch as she reaches for the nightstand, grabs a Ball jar glass, and brings its straw to my lips. I close my eyes and take a swallow of what tastes like lemon water.

Now that my eyes are closed, it’s hard to pry them open again. When I sleep, I tend to be too slow at waking. I feel June messing with my covers. Then I feel the mattress indent and the blankets lift off me as she slips into bed beside me.

She wraps both of her arms around me, rubs her face against my shoulder, and folds a leg over mine.

I feel a strange surge of longing—like some kind of want of more June…even as I’m wrapped in her arms in this moment.

“Did you dream?” she whispers against my neck.

“Yeah.” I press my cheek against her fruity-smelling hair and let a breath out.

What are the odds—that she makes me feel this good, just curling up beside me?

“Was it nice?” she murmurs.

“I don’t know.” I give a little laugh, despite myself. “What was that stuff?”

“It’s called GABA. It’s like a relaxant. For exhausted, sexy workaholics.”

She finds one of my hands, lacing her fingers through mine. My heart starts to beat a little faster.

“Where is everybody?” I say in a voice that sounds tight.

“I sent the kids with Leah.”

“So she knows?”

“Yeah. I’m sorry. She won’t tell Shawn, if that’s your next question.”