Page 156 of Worth the Trip

“Applied admiration.”

Her laugh met my mouth.

Morning kisses had their own character. The urgency had slept. What remained was warmth, memory, and the dangerous knowledge that I already knew what she sounded like when restraint stopped being useful. Nolani’s arms moved around my neck as my hand settled at her waist beneath the shirt. Her lips were soft from sleep, and when her fingers slid into my locs, I forgot every respectable reason civilization might’ve required us to get out of bed.

My mouth followed her jaw and settled against the side of her neck.

“Landon.”

“Mm-hmm.”

“We’re supposed to be getting up.”

“According to who?”

“Civilization.”

“Civilization survived the storm. It can wait.”

“You’re trying to distract me.”

“I’m succeeding.”

Her knee shifted between mine.

I lifted my face.

She looked innocent.

It was insulting.

“You keep moving like that, breakfast gon’ become an afternoon appointment.”

“You’re the one kissing my neck.”

“You gave me access.”

“I gave you a girlfriend.” I stared at her. She pressed her lips together.

“What?” she asked.

“You gave me a what?”

“A girlfriend.”

“Nah.”

“Nah?”

“I specifically requested my woman.”

Her smile broke loose. “And apparently she comes with no respect for modern terminology.”

“My woman can use whatever terminology she wants as long as she understands the position was upgraded.”

“Upgraded?”

“You stayed overnight, wore company property, and called senior management baby. Probation ended early.”