Chapter 9
Chapter Nine
C hevy leaned closer still, close enough that Leni could smell his cologne and feel the warmth of his breath on her cheek.
She held perfectly still, frozen like a rabbit caught in the sight of a wolf, on one hand terrified of what would happen next, on the other praying that the wolf would capture and devour her.
Oh.
Inhaling a shaky breath, her fingers still resting on his forehead, she let them roam softly around his eye, over his cheekbone, and then down to brush lightly along his lower lip.
His lips parted, and she continued her exploration, thrilling at his sharp catch of breath as her thumb grazed the edge of his mouth.
It was his turn to hold stock still, and he didn’t move as she skimmed her fingers along his cheek, over the scruff of beard then slid them into the thick locks of his hair.
His hand was still at her waist. He slid it along her back, his long fingers kneading her skin as he pulled her closer still.
He dipped his head, his lips just brushing against hers, and the small tingling she’d felt before, now changed to flames of heat, racing through her veins.
Her fingers dug further into his hair, gripping his head as his lips—finally—pressed to hers, taking her mouth in the kind of kiss she’d only let herself dream about in the small quiet hours of the rare nights she’d allowed herself to think about him.
His mouth was warm, the kiss urgent as he pulled her closer. Then her arms were around his neck, and she was pressing her body into him, kissing him back with all a fervor she didn’t know was even in her.
She wanted him. It didn’t matter that it had been ten years since they’d seen each other. Here, in the darkness of her old bedroom, all she cared about was Chevy Lassiter’s mouth and having his hands on her body.
As if he read her mind, his hand slipped beneath the back of her shirt and his fingers skimmed over her skin. Up her back, along her side, the edge of his fingers grazing the side of her boob. She moaned against his lips as his hand slid between them and his palm cupped her breast, swollen and aching with need. His thumb slid over the pebble of her tightened nipple, sending a shot of heat to her core.
She pressed her hips into his, grinding against the hard swell of his erection.
She was in trouble here.
If Chevy Lassiter chose to rip her clothes off and take her right now, she would be powerless to stop him.
His fingers skimmed just inside the elastic waist of her pajama shorts, and she wrapped her leg around his, her body eager and willing, even as her mind tried to stay rational.
She held her breath, anticipating his touch.
His hand dipped inside her shorts.
Ohhhh.
This was happening. Nothing could stop it.
A heart-wrenching cry broke the silence of the house as Isabel declared she was either hungry or in distress over a wet diaper.
Leni fell back against the mattress, her breath coming in hard pants.
Apparently, the ill-timed distress call from her sweet baby niece could stop the barreling train of desire.
“I’ll be right back,” she whispered as she got out of bed then adjusted her pajamas as she hurried toward Lorna’s room to help.
But she wasn’t right back.
It took her and her sister longer than she’d anticipated to get Izzy quieted and settled into a spot that didn’t cause discomfort for Lorna’s ankle. Middle of the night feedings didn’t typically take long, but Lorna could barely keep her eyes open, so Leni just waited for Izzy to finish, then carefully took the baby from her sister and tucked her back into the bassinet.
Taking a deep breath, she walked back down the hall to her bedroom, not sure what to expect. The moment had been broken. Which was maybe okay because things had gotten pretty intense really quickly.
She was met with the sounds of Chevy’s even breathing as she tiptoed back into the room. Apparently, she’d been gone longer than she thought.
Slipping under the sheets, she snuggled her back up against his chest, spooning her body into his. She wasn’t sure if he completely woke up or was still half-asleep as he wrapped his arm around her, the motion feeling almost protective as he pulled her close and pressed his cheek to the side of her head.
Then his breathing evened out again, and she closed her eyes and relaxed into him.
Just for tonight.
The next morning, something stirred Leni awake, and she found herself staring into a pair of beautiful blue eyes.
Not the eyes she’d been dreaming about though. Those belonged to a man.
The ones she was staring into did belong to a little man though. One who was standing next to her bed and scratching a bug bite on the side of his arm.
“Hey Max,” she said, stifling a yawn as she pushed up onto her elbow. Sunlight streamed through her window, and her bedside clock read close to eight. She was surprised he’d let her sleep for so long. He was normally up before seven. Although the night before had been anything but normal. “You okay?”
He nodded. He’d already changed out of his pajamas and into a pair of shorts and a yellow T-shirt with a one-eyed minion on the front.
“How long have you been standing there?” she asked, suddenly remembering that she wasn’t alone in her bed.
He lifted his shoulders then let them drop again. “I don’t know. I can’t tell time yet. Maybe for about twenty snores though.”
She laughed. “I do not snore.” But maybe the cowboy in the bed behind her did. “Is there something I can do for you?”
He shifted from one small foot to the other. “I checked on Mommy and Izzy, and they’re both asleep. Last night was scary, and I wanted to do something nice for Mommy so I thought I could make her some breakfast. But I don’t really know how to make anything. Except frozen waffles. And Mommy doesn’t like me to use the toaster by myself.”
Her heart melted.
“That’s really nice of you, buddy. She would love that. And I’m happy to help you. Just give me a few minutes to get up and dressed.” And have what she was sure would be a super awkward moment when Chevy woke up next to her. “Can you go down to the kitchen and wait for me?”
His little face broke into a grin, and he bobbed his head up and down in an excited nod. “Thanks Aunt Leni.”
As Max left her room, she rolled over to nudge Chevy awake.
But the other side of her bed was empty.