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I open my arms, elbows bent, palms up, and shrug. “No idea. Maybe you’re just anxious to get there.” I sit back down, my thigh pressed against hers.
She picks a piece of lint off my shoulder. “Where did this come from?”
“One of the cats knocked my glasses on the floor last night. Took a bit to retrieve them this morning. We need to keep them locked out of the bedroom.”
Cress scratches her scalp, then looks at me through partly lowered lashes, her luminous eyes piercing me. “They’ll just keep us awake with loud protests. Put your glasses in the nightstand drawer when you go to bed. That’s what I do. Otherwise, Dorothy decides they’re a toy.” Her chest heaves with a heavy breath. “And maybe Arlette needs to vacuum more carefully.”
I ignore her comment about Arlette and make a grumbling noise. “Dogs are easier.”
“They chew up your shoes.” She pushes hair back from her eyes as she squints in my direction. “And if we had a dog, you’d be outside right now, walking it.”
True enough. Not that I’d mind. Having grown up with dogs, I’m used to all that. Not that I’ve had a one for years. When I’m home, I enjoy the family dogs. I nip at her ear, then nuzzle her neck. She smells like orange and ginger. Stretching, I swing my feet onto the floor. “I’ll make some coffee and bring it up.”
“You spoil me.”
“That’s the idea.”
When I get back, a mug in each fist, I lean against the doorframe. Cress has gone back to sleep so I walk over and put the coffee on the nightstand. “You look beautiful when you’re all sleepy and disheveled.”
Cress glows, as she props herself up against the pillows, curls disordered as they hang past her shoulders, eyes filmy with sleep. She yawns, pressing a palm against her mouth partway through.
“Yeah, right.”
I move back and hop onto the bed again, setting our drinks on the night table. Then I lean against the headboard and pull her into my chest, and press my lips against the top of her head. “Makes me want to ravish you.”
Ribbons of curls blow as my breath caresses her. She pulls away slightly. “Let me brush my teeth.”
I pull her back against me, kissing her deeply. “Later.”
When I get back, Cress is taking a shower in the guest bathroom so I go back to our room, strip out of my T-shirt and flannel sleep pants, and take my shower too. She walks in just as I’m buttoning my shirt. “Nice. Could you go shirtless all day?”
A chuckle rumbles from my chest. “Don’t think 2 Sparrows will let me in without a shirt.”
“Forgot we are going there. But once they see that chest, they’ll drag you in the door and put you on display.”
I give her a cheeky grin and a little bow.
“Is Jarvis going too?”
“Yeah.” I continue, buttoning my shirt. “By the way, I have something for you.”
Her eyes narrow as she searches for a physical object. “You know I hate surprises, Max.”
With an insouciant air, I slide my tie under the collar. “I arranged for a fire-eater to perform in the hotel courtyard while we’re in Paris.”
She throws her arms around me. “Oh, Max. I can’t wait. I’ve been hoping ever since I missed the one you arranged for my birthday.” She falls on me and starts kissing my neck. I join with enthusiasm. After a few minutes, she pulls away.
“Thought you hated surprises.”
“Guess it depends.”
“So, are there any other surprises that would be acceptable?”
Cute lines furrow her forehead. “Any surprises I wouldn’t mind. Hmmm. Chocolate. Tickets to a play or concert. A hockey game. But not something that actually changes our lives.”
“How about weekend breaks, that sort of thing?“
“Yeah, that would be okay.” She nibbles her bottom lip. “Not long trips, though. Two days in northern Michigan, sure. A month abroad would need to be discussed.”
