She smiled up at me, her curls even wilder than usual, having been crushed in my fists as I drove into her over and again. She was sexy and sweet as she blinked, looking drowsy and content. Then she frowned, gasped, and sat up, looking around in panic.
“Ronan! I’m late—my shift started an hour ago.” She started to scramble from my bed, and I grabbed her arm, laughing.
“Calm down, little bird. You, ah, you aren’t working tonight.”
She looked at me as if I had lost my mind. “Pardon me?”
“I called Mike this morning and asked him if he could get someone to cover. I told him I had something special planned. He said no problem.” I paused. “I also asked Evan for permission to keep you overnight.”
She pursed her lips, and I waited for the explosion. She surprised me when, instead, she wrapped her arms around her knees calmly. “What did he say?”
“Little shit gave me a list of requirements and rules. Let’s just say a new box of Lego is being delivered, pizza and ice cream are owed, and I have to treat you nicely. Really nicely.”
She chuckled.
“I told him what I had in mind for you didn’t fall under the nice category, and he shut up pretty fast. I think ‘gross’ was the word used.”
She fell back laughing. Pleased, I lay down beside her. “You’re not mad?”
“No. Thanks to the cake orders, I’m fine, and frankly, the thought of spending the evening and the night with you is too awesome to resist. Especially if you treat me really nicely.” She cupped my cheek. “I’ll let it pass this time, but you can’t do that without talking to me, Ronan.”
“Okay,” I agreed quickly, already knowing my plans for the future. I just had to talk to a few people about what I was thinking and see if we could move all the pieces into place. I was certain we could, but until then, I would stay quiet.
She narrowed her eyes. “What are you up to?”
I kissed her. “Nothing.” Before she could question me more, I kissed her again. “Now, you have me all evening and all night. What would you like to do?”
She began to speak, then stopped.
“What?”
“It’s going to sound lame.”
“Tell me.”
“I never get to do nothing, you know?”
I waggled my eyebrows. “So, you want to stay in bed all night? I can get with that plan.”
She laughed. “No—well, yes—but no. Maybe early to bed.”
I kissed the end of her nose, dropping a few fast kisses on the line of freckles that covered the bridge. “What do you want to do until then?”
“Could we just relax and watch a movie?”
“Popcorn?”
“Oh yes.”
“How about I order some pizza?”
“Um, could we have some wings too?”
I pinned her under me, kissing her neck and growling. “I knew you were the perfect woman for me.”
She pulled me to her mouth. “Yes, I am.”
* * *
Beth
The door to the diner opened, the bell ringing out. I could tell it was Ronan from the loud, fast peal of the chime. He entered the diner quickly, as if he couldn’t wait to get inside. I always knew when it was him these days. I picked up the order I was getting in the kitchen.
“Bert, can I have the usual, please?”
He chuckled. “Your man is in the house, is he?”
“Pretty darn certain.”
“Coming up.”
“Thanks.”
I opened the door with my hip and carried the tray to the table, unloading it and checking on the customers. The place had been hopping all day but was finally quieting down. I turned and met Ronan’s affectionate gaze, still amazed at how complete he made me feel just being in the same room together. I walked over to his booth and leaned down, accepting his kiss happily. I pulled back, smiling.
“Hello, Thor,” I teased.
He grinned. I’d called him that one day while he was gripping me in the shower, holding me up and taking me again before I left his place. I still marveled at his strength, and it had slipped out before I could stop it. He liked it, so I used it.
“Hey, little bird. I’m hungry.”
“I figured. Working out with the dynamic duo?”
He also liked my name for Paul and Jeremy. They made sure to spend time together every week, and they kept in close contact. I really liked Kim and Diane, and we went out together as a group, Ronan no longer feeling like a third wheel. He was open and happy when we were together, and I loved that funny, teasing side to him. I loved every side of him.
“Yeah. They were headed off in different directions, and I came straight to you.”
“Good.”
“Have time to sit with me?”
“Yep. Jane will take over. I already ordered your dinner.”
“Awesome.”
Ten minutes later, I slid the turkey club with extra mayo and tomatoes in front of him with a side salad and extra pickles. He picked up the massive sandwich, looking at it with appreciation. “Woman, you spoil me.”