“Don’t,” she said. “You can slow down later.”
He grinned into her pretty eyes. “In a hurry, are you?”
“No more talking,” she said. “Just doing.”
He laughed at her. She was cute; she was fun. He was on fire. He didn’t laugh anymore. He went to work on her with his fingers, with his tongue, more fingers. Then he rolled her on her back and took his place between her legs, entering her slowly. He groaned and she sighed. He held her hips and rocked with her, slowly at first and then a little faster but not too fast. He went deep and strong and he couldn’t keep his eyes open. He stroked her, giving it all he had, and when he felt her come, he held her tight against him. She made a gasping sound, clutching him desperately close.
They exploded together, holding on for dear life.
It was quite a while before their breathing calmed and their clutching relaxed. He rose above her. “That was amazing. You are amazing.”
“It was. I think that was probably the best sleeping pill I’ve ever had.”
“Think you’ll be able to rest now?” he asked.
“No question. You have to stay, of course.”
“I get up early.”
“I know.”
“Otis may request a trip outside and you don’t have a doggy door.”
“I understand. But don’t leave me until you absolutely have to. Even if I’m sleeping.”
“I’ll hate leaving you. If you need me for any reason in the night, just tap my shoulder,” he said.
Somewhere in the depth of night, she reached out to him and gave that shoulder a tap. He pulled her to him at once. Without a word, the only sounds their breathing and sighing and shuffling in the bed, he made love to her again. Again, it didn’t take very long before they were exploding together, left shuddering in satisfaction.
“This is the best night of my life,” he whispered.
“Same,” she said. And she fell back to sleep in his arms.
* * *
Like a poem or a song, the morning sun was brighter than ever before. The birds were more melodious. The sky far bluer than she’d seen. And her heart was exploding. Kaylee was filled with feelings that didn’t hurt.
She felt Landry slip from her side and heard him leave with Otis in the predawn. She smiled and allowed herself to go back to sleep. She wasn’t sure how much longer she slept but when her eyes opened, the sun was struggling to rise and shine, and Kaylee smelled coffee. She wrapped herself in a robe, brushed the knots out of her hair, pulled it back in a scrunchie and found her lover in the kitchen. He was drinking a cup of coffee and looking at his laptop. He put down his cup and held out an arm for her.
“Mm, I slept very well,” she said. “Very.”
“It was my pleasure,” he said. He tapped his laptop. “My morning news.”
“How’s the world looking this morning?” she asked.
“Despite the dire condition it’s been in lately, it’s never looked better.”
She poured her coffee and sat down across from him. “Funny, I woke up with just that feeling. Thank you for last night. For all of it, from the storytelling to the lovemaking. I feel brand-new.”
“You’re beautiful in the morning,” he said. “I wanted to be here when you woke but I don’t want to be a pest. I fed Tux and he’s already asleep. Can I make you some breakfast? And we can talk about our days?”
“I think I just had breakfast last night,” she said.
“Which is why I brought pancake mix. You have some berries. How does that sound?”
“Hm, I could get used to you,” she said.
“Let’s have some breakfast and go to our corners. I have a little work to do, you have work you’re supposed to do. And this afternoon I thought I’d drive over to the coast and around the hills—the leaves are at their peak. And it’s going to be a beautiful day. Want to come?”
“I do,” she said. “What time?”
“How does two sound? Does that give you enough time to get some work done?”
“Of course,” she said. But she thought the last thing she wanted was to work.
She felt the urge to burst into song.
When Landry had gone and the kitchen was cleaned up, she called Janette, the first person who came to mind. “It’s possible I’m falling in love,” she said. “With my landlord.”
“Well, now, that’s interesting. Is he falling in love right back?”
“I think so, yes. It’s early. Time will tell.”