“That might be a while,” he said quietly. “Fair warning.”
“Good.” Maren settled against his chest with a contented sigh. “That’s exactly what I was hoping you’d say.”
TWENTY-FOUR
Maren driftedoff to sleep in Colin’s arms. Sometime later, she was awakened by the musical sound of water pouring into a glass.
“I thought you’d be thirsty,” he said in the tenderest voice she’d ever heard, but rough-edged, a sexy morning voice.
“Is it morning already?” she asked, yawning. It was dark in the bedroom.
“Not yet.” He set the large water bottle on the nightstand and settled back into bed beside her with his own water glass.
Shewasthirsty, and she quickly drained the glass. Then she curled back into his arms and drifted off again into the best sleep she’d had in weeks. Or perhaps ever.
Maren woke to warmth.
Colin’s arm was around her waist, her back pressed against his chest, his breath steady against her hair. They’d shifted in the night—tangled together like they’d been doing this for years instead of hours.
I should feel awkward. I should be second-guessing everything that happened last night.
Instead, she felt safe and calm.
Maren turned carefully in Colin’s arms, not wanting to wake him yet, wanting to just look at him. The lines around his eyes had softened. His mouth was relaxed. He looked peaceful.
I did that.
“You’re staring,” Colin rumbled without opening his eyes.
Maren’s face heated. “How did you?—”
“Felt you turn.” He cracked one eye open as he gave her a sexy smile. “You okay?”
“Yeah.” She touched his face, unable to help herself. “Better than okay.”
Colin caught her hand and pressed a kiss to her palm. “No regrets?”
“None.” Maren meant it. “You?”
“Not even close.” He pulled her closer, and she felt exactly how not-regretting-it he was against her hip.
“Oh,” she said softly.
“Sorry. Give me a minute and it’ll?—”
“Don’t you dare.” Maren shifted against him deliberately. “Don’t apologize.”
His breath caught. “Maren.”
“What?” She shifted again, watching his face. “I thought you said all night.”
“I did.”
“Pretty sure it’s still technically night. Sun’s not entirely up yet.”
Colin’s laugh was rough, sleep-worn. “That’s the worst logic I’ve ever heard.”
“But is it working?”
