Page 215

“How do you always read me so well?” she whispered.

I brushed my thumb along one of her cheeks.

“Because you’re the first woman I’ve ever wanted to know by heart.”

Her expression crumpled just enough to nearly take me apart with it.

Then she settled against me, cheek over my heart and one arm across my chest.

I wrapped both arms around her.

And for the next few hours, all was right with the world.

Chapter twenty-nine

Daylight slipped through the curtains and found me exactly where I’d fallen asleep, my cheek resting over Lachlan’s heart and one leg tangled with his.

For several quiet seconds, I didn’t move.

His heartbeat thudded beneath my ear. One heavy arm curved around my back, holding me against him, and the pleasant soreness between my legs was a delicious reminder that I’d just had the best sex of my life.

I settled more comfortably against him with a soft sigh.

“You’re awake,” he murmured.

I lifted my head. “How did you know?”

“Because you just made one of those little noises I like.”

I pushed myself higher and kissed him.

That was a mistake—or possibly the best way to start the morning.

His hand slid down my bare back as his mouth opened beneath mine, and within seconds the lazy kiss turned into something that had my pulse racing. Lachlan rolled toward me, his palm closing over my hip as he deepened it.

Then he groaned.

Not the good kind.

I pulled back. “Uh-oh. Sounds like the last few days are catching up with you. Which part hurts?”

“Ribs mostly. Shoulder’s stiff. Probably half the rest of me if I stop long enough to take inventory.”

I narrowed my eyes at him. “So naturally, spending half the night having sex seemed like a sensible recovery plan.”

His mouth curved.

“Aye. Best decision I’ve made all week.”

I laughed, but when he pushed himself upright, a brief grimace gave him away before he could hide it.

“You made it worse.”

“Probably.”

“Lachlan.”

He caught my hand and kissed my knuckles.