“Cozy,” she said.
As the movie started, he squirted a dab of lotion on his hands then moved his fingers into her stiff neck muscles. “Is this too hard?” He didn’t want to hurt her but wanted to apply enough pressure to help any lingering stiffness.
“Oh my God,” she moaned.
Oh Lord. He’d made a mistake. A giant freaking mistake. Between her soft skin beneath his hands and the tiny sounds she made as he worked his fingers around her neck and shoulders, he might not survive.
At least not without an icy shower.
“It’s been a long time since anyone’s given me a neck rub,” she said. “This feels amazing.”
“Glad I can help. Hopefully you’ll wake up feeling better in the morning.”
He moved his hands down the right side of her back, pressing the pads of his thumbs into her flesh. His pulse thundered in his veins, and the minty smell of her shampoo drove him crazy. He wanted to press his lips to the sensitive spot behind her ear, to kiss the side of her throat, but he resisted the urge.
She’d kissed him earlier, but if she’d wanted things to go further, she wouldn’t have pulled away. He understood and respected her need to take things slow. As much as he craved to devour every last inch of her right now, he’d hold back. Match whatever pace she took.
Even if it killed him.
The movie played on, but he had a hard time following along with the antics on the screen. He was too absorbed with every dip and curve he touched, the small mole at the side of hershoulder, and the way she melted further against him with each passing second.
The minutes flew by and her body went lax, her breathing heavy and even. Her head fell back and rested on his chest.
“Katherine?”
Nothing but a subtle snore answered him.
Indecision warred within him. The movie was close to finishing, and the hour grew late. He should wake her and tell her to go to bed. She needed a good night’s rest.
Sighing, she curled against him, her hand resting on his side.
He wrapped his arms around her, and everything in his world shifted to perfection. The feel of her body on his warmed him to his toes, but it was the fact she felt safe enough with him to fall asleep that squeezed his chest. He’d wait a little while longer to wake her.
Shifting to recline against the edge of the sofa, he grabbed the remote and switched the television to a sitcom he’d seen a hundred times. His mind zoned out as the familiar cadence of the show lulled him into a trance.
He held Katherine closer, loving the feel of her even breaths against him. He’d give it another hour then send her to bed. Until then, he’d settle back and enjoy the way they fit together—revel in the feel of her wrapped safely in his arms.
12
“Mommy?”
Katherine blinked her eyes open at the sound of Ollie’s confused little voice. Ollie’s face filled her vision, his nose all but pressed to hers. His eyebrows dipped low. Fatigue and confusion muddled her mind. She tried to form words but came up blank.
She stirred against rock hard muscle, warm hands smoothed against the heated skin of her back. A steadythump, thump, thumpbeat against her ear. Sunlight streaked in through a window and nearly blinded her sleep-sensitive retinas.
Oh God.
“Did you and Cody have a party? You had chocolate!”
Bailey jumped up and down, her loud bark sounding as annoyed as Ollie.
Her heart shot up her throat, and she jolted upright.
Cody lay beneath her, slowly waking. He stretched his arms above his head and a sliver of abdomen showed, making her mouth water.
Down girl. Focus on the main issue.
“Mom.” Ollie drew out the word into three whiny syllables. “I want candy.”
