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“I love you, Mandy.”
“I love you, Dad.” She pressed her fingertip to his nose. “Booped your snoot.” He grinned at her. “Get some extra sleep tomorrow. I’ll read my book. No rush.”
Smoothing his big hand over her hair, he said, “No one in the history of dads is as lucky as me.”
“I don’t know. I kind of think Zoe’s dad was pretty lucky.”
He turned his head to look at her. “Yeah, you’re right. Still, I’m calling dibs on the luckiest.” He pressed his lips to her temple. “Sleep tight, ladybug.”
“Goodnight, Dad. I’ll see you in the morning, Zoe.” Then she turned over, snuggled Maximus, and closed her eyes.
Zoe walked the house, turned off lights, and made sure all the blinds were snugly shut. Nate followed her into her bedroom and pressed her to the wall behind the door.
Placing his finger over his lips, she nodded. He mouthed, “Before we get in that bed, know that it’s both a dream and a nightmare to sleep next to you under these conditions.” She pressed her lips together to keep from laughing. “Have mercy on me.”
She signed, “What does that mean?”
“It could go a lot of different ways but we’re going to say it’s my way of asking forgiveness for any groping I may do during the night.”
“Does that forgiveness go both ways?” After she signed the question, he held her hands, kissed the palms, and placed them over his heart.
“God, yes.” He crossed his eyes. “Hurry up and get in there so I can hold you and pretend I’m not on the verge of a coronary until dawn.”
“You’re incredibly dramatic,” she whispered with her brow arched.
“I think the word you’re looking for iswonderful.”
Nodding, she said, “You’re so right.”
“Hurry up, Zoe.”
Choosing one of her usual sleep sets from her drawer, she quickly took care of some basics and changed in her bathroom.
Opening the door so Nate could use the space as well, she froze in the act of brushing her teeth. He stood on the other side in nothing but boxer briefs.
The man was gorgeous.
She let her eyes roam down his body. Broad shoulders and chest tapered to a narrow waist and hips. A dramatic V started above the band of his underwear and disappeared beneath it. She’d always admired Nate’s legs in his kilt but seeing everything from his muscular thighs to his bare feet created a much more intriguing image.
Suddenly remembering she had a mouthful of toothpaste and held her toothbrush, she blushed brightly and returned to the bathroom sink.
Spitting and rinsing, she dried her mouth and removed a new toothbrush from the drawer, handing it to him as he entered a space that was suddenly much smaller than usual.
His hazel eyes held hers in the mirror as he brushed his teeth and washed his face. Straightening, she handed him the small towel. When he was done with it, he reached around her to put it back.
She held her breath as he braced himself on the wall with his forearms and stared at her without speaking.
Finally, he lowered to claim her lips and she felt lightheaded. Nate took his time kissing her, teasing her, without touching her with anything but his mouth.
Raising his head a long time later, he trailed his fingertip over her shoulder and traced the outline of the tank top she wore.
“Is this how you usually sleep?” His finger continued along the upper swell of her breasts. “Cute little shorts and a tank top in happy colors?” She managed to nod. “You know, seeing your body in this, knowing the sexiness of it was accidental, makes my mouth water to taste every inch of you.”
There was no way to hide her gasp.
Bending, he scooped her into his arms and waited for her to turn off the bathroom light as they passed it. Her bedroom door was mostly closed, with enough room left for Maximus.
“Which side do you sleep on?” he asked as he stood in the middle of the room holding her as if she weighed nothing.
