Page 157 of Worth the Trip

Nolani laughed again, and I could’ve stayed there collecting that sound until noon. Instead, I brushed a curl from her cheek and looked at her.

“How you feel?”

The humor settled.

“Good,” she said. “Rested. A little sore.”

Concern must’ve shown because she touched the space between my brows.

“Don’t.”

“What?”

“Start reviewing last night like you’re preparing a liability report.”

“I’m making sure I took care of you.”

“You did.”

I studied her.

She traced my jaw. “I’m sure, baby.”

That word again.

I lowered my face until my nose brushed hers. “You keep saying that like you don’t know what it does.”

“What does it do?”

“Makes me consider irresponsible scheduling decisions.”

Her smile widened. “Needy this morning?”

“Secure enough to make requests.”

“And irritating enough to repeat them.”

“Correct.”

“Baby.”

I kissed her.

Had to.

Daylight made the word different. Last night, it had slipped free in the middle of everything else. This morning, she handed it to me awake, smiling, knowing exactly what she was doing.

When I finally pulled away, Nolani looked entirely too satisfied.

“You happy?” I asked.

The question came out before I could dress it up.

Her expression softened. “Right now?”

“Right now.”

“Yes.”