Page 102 of Devil in Her Details

He didn’t argue the point further. Perhaps he was the biggest fool of them all. Because some fooled, foolish part of him was already trying anyway.

Chapter Twenty-One

Lilly lay propped on her chin beside Dagger on his bed, staring at him. It was his own fault, really. If he hadn’t been so unreasonably handsome in sleep, she wouldn’t currently be committing what amounted to a daylight burglary of his bedchamber. They had spent the whole night apart, which was torturous, especially knowing he was in the room right beside her. But she hadn’t wanted to give in to temptation with Calliope and Violet present. They seemed perfectly lovely, and Lilly liked them enormously. This man was their brother-in-law, and they cared for him. She was afraid they might think she was simply using him and having her fun.

She wasn’t doing that.

Poor man.

He’d been all scowls as she’d pushed him from her room and had given her a scorching kiss that had set her body on fire right before parting with a final glare and obeying her instruction to leave.

Lilly smiled at the memory.

Well, she could smile now. The night was over. The moment she’d woken up, she’d crept over to get her fill of this handsome face, ignoring all the reasons why. Honestly, she was surprised he was still in bed. He’d always struck her as a man who rose at dawn, even though he possessed a rather relaxed way whenever they were together. Perhaps she’d been wrong in that assessment. Now, he was simply the picture of a panther lazing about.

“You’re staring.”

Lilly rolled her eyes, not surprised by his sudden, throaty line. “How long have you been awake?”

“I’ve always been awake.”

“What? Do you mean to say you heard me enter?”

“I heard you wake, love,” he murmured lazily. “That’s how awake I’ve been.”

A ridiculous little thrill went through her at that. The same admission that had once sounded like a warning now sounded like something closer to devotion. She poked his cheek. “You didn’t sleep?”

“You didn’t allow me to sleep.”

Lilly smiled at this gruff tone. “I didn’t allow you to sleep with me.”

His eyes opened, and he glanced over at her. “Same thing, love.”

A flush crawled up her neck and settled in her cheeks. As it always seemed to do around this particular panther. The devil probably knew it, too. She poked him again. “I’m hungry. Should we go hunting for breakfast?”

He dragged her on top of him without warning.

Lilly gasped as he tucked her firmly against his chest with both arms, and for one long moment he simply held her. She could feel the steady beat of his heart beneath her cheek, the glorious heat of him, and never wanted to rise. Her eyes fluttered shut. She could probably fall asleep again right here.

“This is rather nice.”

“So obedient when no one is about.”

She grinned against his chest. “So sour when we’re alone.”

“I’m sour even if we’re not, lynx.”

Correct. His scowl announced his displeasure to all who were willing to take notice last night. “True.”

For a moment, neither of them moved, content simply to remain wrapped in each other. Sleep beckoned softly.

“If we don’t rise now, there will be no rising.” His voice vibrated beneath her ear before he sat them both up in one sweeping motion. “I could do with coffee.”

Before Lilly could fully process that transition, he had lifted her clean off the bed and was striding toward the door.

“What are you doing?” Lilly exclaimed, the fog in her mind evaporating. “Quickly, put me down before anyone sees!”

“You barred me from your chamber all night,” he breathed in her ear. “At least give me this.”