Chapter Seventeen #3
Her shoulders tensed. She got ready to tell him it was totally okay and he could leave now. They’d had an incredible experience but she understood the limitations. “Yeah?”
“Can I stay?”
Rowan hated the joy that hit her at his simple question. She buried her head in his neck so he wouldn’t see. “I’d like that.”
“Good. Because I have a lot more presents to open.”
They laughed and he kissed her.
They reached for each other throughout the night.
He explored every inch of skin; kissed the scar on her knee with a reverent gentleness that made her feel too much. Found every bump and bruise; where her most sensitive parts hid; and brought her to shattering pleasure again and again.
Rowan slept in between, one knee crooked over his hip, his hand spanning the base of her spine. At last sunrise threatened, pushing inch by slow inch over the horizon.
He rolled her underneath him. “I have to go.”
Rowan smiled and smoothed back his mussed hair. She liked seeing him like this. Sleep-tousled, the edge of the cover creasing his cheek, chin shadowed with stubble. “Okay.”
He pressed his mouth to hers.
Then froze.
Bagel had hopped onto the chair by the dresser, a throne where he liked to supervise. “Is he . . . watching us?” Everett rasped.
Her lips twitched. “He’s safeguarding my honor. Ignore him.”
“I’m trying.” He resumed the kiss, and then lifted his head. “Okay, he’s definitely staring at my ass.”
She burst into giggles and he laughed with her. “It’s a droolworthy ass,” she teased. She pinched that perfect ass and slipped out from underneath him. “But I need coffee—stat.”
“I’ll grab some before I go.” Shooting a wary look at Bagel, he dressed and headed to the bathroom.
Rowan pulled on an easy tank dress and went to make coffee.
She measured the grounds, hit the button, and leaned against the counter as the machine hissed to life.
She opened the screen door to allow the salty air to drift in.
Bagel hopped after her, nails clicking against the tile. She scooped him up for a quick morning cuddle. “No, you little caffeine addict. You get greens, not espresso.”
He wriggled, unimpressed, and she set him back down by his dish.
“Fine. Be that way.” She dropped a handful of fresh hay into his feeder and rinsed and refilled his water bowl.
“You’re lucky I love you.” Bagel hopped over to investigate, nose twitching furiously.
She offered him a handful of romaine and a sprig of basil.
He took the basil, turned his back, and sat like a tiny monk in silent protest.
“He’s a lucky rabbit.”
Rowan glanced over her shoulder. Everett leaned against the doorway. He was properly dressed but his shirt was unbuttoned at the collar. She knew there were marks from her nails digging into his shoulders and back. Her lips felt swollen—along with other places. Her body hummed with satisfaction.
She grabbed a mug and poured the brew. “I know. How do you take it?”
“Black. No Keurig?”
She handed him the cup with a smile. “That’s cheating. I like great coffee.”
Everett took a sip, then made a low sound of satisfaction, reminding her of last night. “This is delicious.”
They stood there for a beat, the quiet hum of the bungalow wrapping around them. She sipped her coffee, watching him watch her. The silence simmered with awareness, full of last night and something new forming underneath it.
Bagel thumped once, like a warning. “You really don’t like me, do you.”
The rabbit stared, unblinking. Rowan smirked. “He thinks you’re a threat to his dominance.”
“I’m starting to see why.” Everett reached for a piece of mint from the counter and crouched to his level. He held it out cautiously. “Truce?”
Bagel sniffed, took the leaf, and retreated under the table.
“I’ll take that as progress,” Everett said, rising.
He stepped closer, enough for her to feel the warmth of his body but not enough to close the space completely. “When will I see you next?”
She liked the way he asked. Simple. Truthful. No games. “Would you and Kelsey want to come to a beach picnic Friday?”
“Who will be there?”
“My friend Lea and her crew. Tino. Cousin Howie. It’s a traditional picnic before one of the surf competitions for the younger set. You can watch Kelsey surf and see her new moves.”
His face softened. “I’d love that.” He kissed her, then set his coffee on the table. “I’ll call you later.”
“You don’t have to.”
He stilled, gaze delving into hers. “I want to. There may be rules in place, but this isn’t just sex. Last night proved it.”
Chills raced down her spine. She was used to ducking big emotion to keep herself comfortable. Rowan assumed he’d do the same, but his words held stark truth. “Okay.”
His bottom lip twitched. “Good answer. Call you later.”
The screen door banged when he let himself out. Bagel cocked his head with inquiry.
Rowan groaned and leaned against the counter. “I know. I don’t know what I’m doing, okay? Give me a break.”
With a twitch of his nose, Bagel turned and mooned her.
She didn’t blame him.