City of the Lost (Rockton 1)

"Am I being difficult?" I say.

"Yes. Very." A mock scowl as he moves me off his lap.

"Huh. It's been a long time since I've been difficult. You're good for me, you know that?"

He shakes his head and retrieves his shirt. When he comes back, I whisk it out of his hands and sit on it.

"I like you better that way, too," I say.

He gives a growl of frustration.

I widen my eyes. "What? You're always telling me I should want more. Now I want something. Badly."

He picks me up. Carries me to the balcony and deposits me on the mattress.

"Mmm, even better," I say. "Fresh air and--"

"Your neighbours are out."

"Ask me if I care."

He tries to give me a stern look and then bursts into a snorting laugh, sits down beside me, and pulls me over to him.

"The answer, Casey Butler, is no. You know it is, and you're having some fun with me, which is..." He lowers his face until it's right in front of mine. "Fucking wonderful to see. Also, very hot. But the answer is still no. Now, do you want me to finish my story about the fox?"

"Um, no, I want you to--"

"After."

I lift my brows. "After as in 'after the story'? Or as in 'at some distant point in the future'?"

"After the story. Not sex, either, because once we start that, as gentle as I might plan to be, there are going to be stitches ripped. Guaranteed."

I grin. "Oh, I like the sound of--"

"No. But if you're still interested after the story, I'm sure I can find something less strenuous to help you sleep."

My grin grows.

"I take it that's a yes," he says. "Good. Now lie down and get comfortable. And not one word--or anything else--until the story is done."

FIFTY-NINE

I wake on my balcony with the birds singing, sunlight streaming down, a brisk breeze bringing the tang of evergreens and another smell, an unfamiliar one, the sharp smell of soap, from the arms wrapped around me and the bare chest against my cheek, and I stretch smiling, only to realize my sweatpants are still on, which means ...

"Fuck," I whisper.

"Mmm?" Dalton says.

"I fell asleep."

A chuckle ripples through his chest. "Yep."

I lift my head to look up at him. "You knew I would."

He arches his brows.

"That damn story went on forever, and you knew I'd fall asleep."