Page 81 of Never and Always
She laughed. “But you know what this means?”
I kissed her neck. “What?”
“You have to wear your uniform shirt on your next shift.”
With a laugh, I rolled her to face me. Her beautiful face was relaxed. Right now, she wasn’t worried or scared. I liked that a lot.
“I think it was worth it.” I nibbled on her lips. “So worth it. And once we’re back at the hotel, I want to fuck you while you’re only wearing a pair of your sexy heels.”
Her chest hitched.
“And nothing else.”
“I think that can be arranged,” she murmured. “Thanks for taking care of me, Everett. I know I don’t make it easy.”
“You’re just out of practice.” I kissed her again. I didn’t tell her that taking care of her was one of the easiest things I’d done.
Chapter 26
Piper
It was dark.
I opened my eyes, feeling deliciously relaxed. And more than a little tender in a few places. I was tucked up against Everett’s big body. He was curled around me on the bed, like even in his sleep he was protecting me.
Low light from the fire glimmered in the room. We must have slept for a few hours after round two. I’d discovered my mountain man was energetic, fun, and creative in bed. My guess was that morning was still a few hours away.
Gah, I did not want reality to land on me again. I sighed. I loved that Everett had brought me up to the cabin, yes, to keep me safe, but also to give me this.
Us here, together…it was simple, easy.
I didn’t have much simple in my life.
“Babe?” His sleep roughened voice in my ear. His lips nuzzled the side of my neck.
“I didn’t mean to wake you. Go back to sleep.”
“You have a nightmare?”
“No. I feel…great actually.” I sighed. “I want to stay here forever.”
He was silent for a beat. “Not many reasons to wear your collection of designer shoes up here.” He gripped my arm, forcing me to roll over and face him. His face was mostly in shadow. “When we head back down in the morning, you won’t be facing anything alone. You have me, Ro, Caden, Enzo, Tessa, and the women.”
“I know.” Without realizing, I was suddenly surrounded by people who cared. I wasn’t alone.
He cupped my cheek, calloused fingers rubbing along my cheekbone. “How about a little midnight dessert snack?” He slipped out of the bed, and I got glimpse of his naked body in the firelight. Then he flicked on the bedside lamp.
Hmm, he really was beautiful. As he pulled on a pair of long pajama pants—plaid ones, of course—I drank him in. The hard pecs, the flat stomach, the muscled forearms.
“You brought those pajama pants just to provoke me, didn’t you?”
He shot me a slow grin over his shoulder. “No idea what you’re talking about.”
With a snort, I reached over the side of the bed and found his flannel shirt. I sat up and pulled it on, leaving it unbuttoned. He was right, flannel was nice and warm.
He returned carrying a plate with a huge slice of chocolate cake and two forks. “Now who’s a tease.”
I shrugged a shoulder, letting the shirt slip down my shoulder. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
