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The guy really was a master at hiding his emotions, because I hadn’t sensed any such struggle going on inside him. “That night in New York was stellar, so I’m glad you gave in.”
His mouth curved. “Stellar?”
“Yep. I really wanted to hurt you when you wouldn’t just let me come, though. But that’s a regular thing.”
“You come harder when I make you wait.”
Yeah, I totally did. “Even so, I’d rather not wait. Or stay quiet—that was hard.”
“It was meant to be. You were going to walk out on me.” His gaze darkened and pinned mine. “You’re lucky I’m not into doling out pain or you’d have received the spanking of your fucking life.”
“In my defense, I thought you wanted a divorce.”
“You should have known better.”
“What was I supposed to think when I saw divorce papers on your desk?”
“I wouldn’t have expected you to assume they were a gesture. But you should have at least been confused. You shouldn’t have automatically thought I wanted you gone.”
“Let me reiterate that I didn’t know you cared for me.”
“You didn’t suspect it?”
I twisted my mouth. “Okay, I thought you might care for me a little. But I also think you care a little for the koi fish in your pond.”
Dane sighed. “Yeah, I hold you in the same regard as I do my fish,” he said, dryly. He grabbed me by my nape and tugged me closer. “Kiss me before any more stupid shit comes out of your mouth.”
I frowned. “Hey, that was—”
“I said, kiss me.”
I sniffed. “Maybe I don’t want to.”
“I don’t care. Kiss me.”
“You don’t care?”
“No.” He bit my lower lip. “Give me what I want.”
“I’m not in the mood to—”
He took my mouth, tangling his tongue with mine, sweeping away any further objections I might have made.
I melted into him with a soft moan and slid my hands up his solid chest. Mine. He was really mine now. I still hadn’t quite wrapped my head around it. I felt a little dizzy from all the little revelations he’d thrown my way.
Feeling pressure on my feet, I looked down to see Blue trying to wedge herself between my legs and his. I shuffled backwards slightly to give her some room. Tail up, she slinked her way between our bodies and rubbed the side of her neck over his chest.
I sucked in my lips to stifle a smile. “I think she’s jealous that you’re giving me attention.”
Blue plonked her small furry self between us and curled up in a ball.
His mouth tightened. “She’s not sleeping with us. If we let her do it once, she’ll try doing it every night.” He edged out of bed and picked up the cat. “Don’t meow at me,” he told her, heading for the closet. “You’ve got your own bed. Use it.”
I heard him whispering something to her as he disappeared into the closet. I would bet my life he was nuzzling her and apologizing for moving her.
He returned to the bed with a sigh and sank his head into the pillow. “That damn cat’s a pain in my ass. She’s settled now. She’ll stay in there.”
“Hmm.” I decided not to tell him that she’d just sprang onto the bed behind him. He’d find out as soon as she started scent-marking—
He flinched. “The fuck?” He looked behind him and let out a low growl … to which she started licking his face. His nostrils flared. “It’s not funny, Vienna.”
“I’m not laughing.”
“You are. Just not out loud.”
And knowing I shouldn’t only made it harder to stop. “She just wants to snuggle her hero.”
“I don’t snuggle.”
“You snuggle me.”
“I’m a man. Men don’t snuggle.” Exhaling heavily, he rose from the bed, scooped her up, and disappeared into the closet again, lecturing her the entire time as if she could understand every word.
I rolled over and checked I’d put my phone on silent mode. The mattress dipped behind me as Dane returned and spooned me. I might have pointed out that he was pretty much snuggling me, but then he would have moved. Plus, I wasn’t sure it counted, since he was cupping my breast.
Blue leapt onto the bed in front of me and tilted her head.
I felt my mouth quirk. “Um, Dane? We have company. Again.”
“Tell me you’re kidding.” He lifted his head and cursed. “We’re just going to have to shut her in the closet, because I’m not doing this dance with her all night long. Do you get me, cat? You’re not staying in here.”
Blue sat back, hiked up one leg, and began licking her ass hole.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
The morning of the reception, I placed my pouch of bridal jewelry on the vanity dresser in one of the guest rooms. Satisfied that I could now tick the final item off the checklist, I let out a sigh. After breakfast, I’d moved my dress, shoes, and other garments in there, along with all the bits and bobs I’d need while getting ready.
