Page 76 of Sleigh My Heart

Michelle smiled.

Snowball broke from the circle and beelined it to her. She dropped to the floor and scooped up the soft critter. “Hi. It’s good to see you, too.”

The wet nose pressed to her cheek as the ferret climbed to get closer. Michelle laughed. The sound caught her off guard. Junior was dead, all because of her.

Her vision blurred. She should have checked for explosives. She knew someone wanted Garmen dead.

“Hey.” Nick knelt before her. He swept a thumb over her cheek. It came away wet.

“Sorry.” She wiped her face with a sleeve. “It’s so surreal. It could have been you.”

“Or you.”

“Yeah.” Her gaze locked with his. She had just gotten him back. What would she do if she’d lost him? If he’d gone back to stand guard at the bathroom door?

“I know. I’m here.”

How could he do that? Read my mind? It was a Nick trait she had forgotten about. It was both infuriating and comforting.

He placed a soft kiss on her forehead then scooped her up in his arms. Snowball jumped to the ground and ran to the fresh food he’d put in the bowl when he opened the cage.

“You need sleep. We both do.” As if he hadn’t escaped death mere hours ago, he carried her across the hall, without even a huff, and gently set her on the edge of the bed.

With sure and steady hands, he stripped her shirt and pants, then he pulled back the covers and nudged her back.

Engrossed in his movement, she took in his broad shoulders, and lean torso as he stripped to his boxer briefs. The show was over all too soon, and he climbed in beside her. One strong arm wrapped her in a comforting hug.

Michelle settled into his warmth. A soft brush of lips against her temple sent flutters down her spine.

“Night.” His whisper brushed her ear.

She didn’t answer. Couldn’t. If she spoke now, the words she longed to say would spill out. Words so engrained in her being that she couldn’t stop them, even after two decades of distance. Nick was here. To her heart, it was like he never left.

She listened to his breathing level out and wondered if this was a mirage or a Christmas miracle. Because God knows, she’d felt like she was in the desert when it came to her love life since he’d left.

***

He flexed his fingers. A smooth mount of hip filled his hand. Soft breaths heaved against his chest as a moan filled the room. Michelle.

A smile split his face. God, he loved waking with her. It was different than any other woman he’d been with. Something about her made a peaceful calm rush over him. He didn’t know how she did it, because at the same time, his little head was up and raring for action.

He cracked open an eyelid. The room was still dark. That shouldn’t surprise him. He woke at 4 a.m. every day for the last twenty-one years.

But today, it was the best morning by far, because she was here. Where she belonged.

At least, that’s what he believed. Now to convince her. This wasn’t the right time. He knew it—so did she. They needed to get through this next week. Then he would beg her for another chance.

Yeah, she was in his bed, but he didn’t delude himself into believing this was forever. He hoped, and with some persuasion and maybe a little groveling, he could make her see they were meant to be together.

He glanced at the picture on his side table. Ava. Would she be onboard with his plans? It would take some time, but now that he was home, they could take as much as needed.

“Umm.” She stretched. Her long, slim fingers skated across his chest. The electric current in its wake charged his already impressive morning wood. God knows he wanted her. But she’d only gotten a few hours of sleep.

“Go back to sleep. It’s still early.” He should get a medal of valor for giving up a chance to be with her.

Large green eyes stared up at him. “I don’t want sleep. I want you.” Her hand slid down his chest, teasing his flat nipple along the way to his stomach and beyond.

Long auburn hair tickled his chest as she moved, kissing, teasing. All the while, his chest grew tight with love. She pulled up, her palms flat on his chest. One leg swung over his torso and his cock strained to reach her warm, wet core.