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“Yes,” she pleaded, closing her eyes.
In the back of her mind, that one word—worship—echoed. Make love to her, deliver orgasms in sweet succession—yes. She did not want adoration, not from Mark.
His mouth claimed hers, kissing her deeply. His fingers pinched her nipples as his hips lowered to hers. He rubbed against her without slipping inside, and that word drifted away.
“Yes, please, Mark,” she said. “Show me.”
* * *
HOURS LATER, AFTER he’d fulfilled his promise, bringing her to one orgasm after another, he fell back onto the sheets, breathing hard. Amy smiled down at him, her body still humming with mind-blowing pleasure as her mind moved away from a solitary focus on words like yes, more and Mark to the one that hovered over them like a rain cloud. Leaving.
It was time for her to go, return to her own bed, before she woke up in the morning with regrets. Sitting up, she moved to the edge of the bed, her feet touching the bare floor.
“Amy, don’t go.” He reached for her hand, interlaced their fingers. “Let me hold you.”
Slowly, knowing she was perilously close to breaking rule four—no strings and no promises—she slid beneath the sheets. Mark pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her as if he worried she might bolt if he let her go.
“I’ll stay, Mark,” she said, resting her head on his chest. “I’ll stay.”
In the back of her mind, she knew she wasn’t the one who needed to say those words. But she could revisit that thought in the morning, maybe find another loophole. Right now, Mark was here with her, safe in bed, holding her tight.
* * *
AMY STARED AT the guest room ceiling listening to the unfamiliar sound of a man snoring softly beside her as sunlight peeked in through the bedroom windows. Add in the fact that his arm rested across her middle, his hand covering her breast as if even in sleep he couldn’t stop touching her, and her world felt as if it had rotated one hundred and eighty degrees. Her stomach rumbled, punctuating the thought.
Carefully, she slid out of bed and headed for the door. In the hall, Jango fell in step beside her, his head nudging her hand. She led the dog to the back door without offering excuses for leaving him on the other side last night. She’d taken something for herself and given everything she had to offer, in bed at least, in return. She refused to feel guilty. She opened the door, and Jango dutifully trotted out. Turning back to the kitchen, Amy headed for the coffeemaker.
Strong arms wrapped around her waist as she poured in the water, drawing her back against a wall of muscle.
“Good morning,” Mark said.
Amy smiled. “Hi, sorry to sneak out, but I was hungry.”
Mark released her, turning to the fridge and opening the door. “I heard you leave, sweetheart,” he said, his tone light and teasing.
Amy fumbled the coffee filters, spilling the box on the counter. But Mark scanned the empty shelves, seemingly unaware. Gathering the scattered filters, she placed one in the coffeemaker, focusing on her task, not the surprise at hearing endearments from her friend.
She’d woken wondering if Mark would struggle with the secret she’d shared last night. Would it haunt him, hanging over them like a cloud?
But the day felt new and fresh. He’d teased her, calling her sweetheart. If he was struggling, he was hiding it well.
Mark closed the fridge and turned to her, holding out a paper plate covered in plastic wrap. “It’s leftover mini quiche and cookies or nothing.”
Amy laughed, leaning toward him, brushing her lips across his as she took the plate from his hands. “Perfect.”
Mark followed her to the table and sat beside her. “What’s on your list for today?”
“I think you boys have earned a break.” She selected a jam-drop cookie. “This is your vacation, after all.”
Mark took her hand and squeezed. “I’d rather spend my downtime with you, than kicking around this town.”
“Great.” Amy glanced at their joined hands. “I know one little puppy who will be happy to see you.”
Today was her new beginning. She had to hold tight to that thought. And Mark wasn’t leaving. Not today, and probably not tonight.
* * *
MARK FOLLOWED AMY, cradling Rosie in his arms. The other puppies raced ahead into the fenced-in area containing the obstacle course, but Rosie seemed content to snuggle close,
