Page 70 of Protected By Duval
She let out a soft sigh only to realize that she hadn't been the one to say the words.
Leaning into his chest, her forehead coming to rest against his neck.
McCrae loosened his hold on her and she was able to fit herself against him, enjoying his warmth.
She sighed and felt his startle when her breath moved across his skin. "I could stay here, just like this."
He moved and she relaxed against him, but instead of melting into his gentle touch, she felt his lips on the crown of her head.
"I wouldn't mind staying here until daylight," he replied, "but I think we'd both have sore backs in the morning."
"Mmmhmm." She sighed. "I bet you're tired."
His laughter was soft, but it shook her at the same time. "I am, but I promise you, I'm safe to drive. I know my limits," he assured her, "but I'd never chance driving you if I didn't know deep down inside me that I'd get you home safely."
She believed him.
She felt the truth of his words in her bones.
"Maybe," she let out her breath slowly, "instead of going home, you should stay over at our house. One less leg of the journey."
He was nearly still against her.
Under her.
"You really okay with that?"
She waited for her mind to second guess.
She waited for her heart to clench or twist in her chest.
Nothing.
Nothing but warmth and... anticipation.
"Yeah." She nodded and felt her cheek rub against his shift. "Yeah I'm more than okay with it, McCrae."
He kissed the crown of her head again. "I want to hold you tonight."
She liked the way he said that.
Liked that he wanted her near.
She could use the comfort of his arms, the deep reassuring rhythm of his heart.
"Hmm..." She groaned a little. "I need your help to get up off of your lap."
He helped her, chuckling as they moved. "I must be crazy," he told her, "letting you get up. Helping you to do it. I might start to wonder if I've lost my mind."
Noelle sat back in her seat and reached over for her seatbelt. "Same," she turned her head to look at him, "but I blame it on years of less sleep than i need with a baby in the house. I'm exhausted."
He lifted a hand and brushed her hair back from her face. "So you're saying we're getting old?"
"Not old," she told him. "Just older."
They laughed together as he turned back toward the steering wheel and shifted the truck into drive.
The house was too quiet.
