“No, smartass,” he said when they’d both settled again. “Me coming twice within such a short period of time. I’m addicted to you. Maybe in a year—or five or ten—I’ll have had you enough times to not feel so desperate that I have an immediate urge to come.”
She giggled against him. “Honestly, Riggs, it’s a compliment. I’ve never felt as sexy as I did with you kneeling over me, unable to hold back and having to come right then and there.”
“You are sexy,” he reassured her.
“I love you,” she whispered against his skin. “I know people aren’t going to understand how or why things between us have moved so fast, and I can’t explain it either. I just know that I was meant to be yours.”
Her words made Chappy’s eyes close in relief. And gratitude. “Same, sweetheart. Same.”
He started to roll on top of her again when something made him stop. He felt as if he was being watched. It wasn’t a feeling he’d ever discount, not after his military training and all that he’d been through.
Turning his head—he blinked.
Baxter was sitting next to the bed, staring at him with huge brown eyes.
“Crap,” Chappy swore.
“What? What’s wrong?” Carlise asked, sounding a little worried.
“Don’t panic. Nothing’s wrong. But your dog is staring at us.”
Carlise turned her head to look to the side of the bed, and he felt her chuckle against him. “Oh, so he’s my dog when he wants out?” she sassed.
“Nope. He’s always been your dog. He found you walking on that road, led you in the right direction, came and got me, and led me to you. He’s your dog, lock, stock, and barrel.”
“You think he wants out? Or is he some kind of voyeur?” she asked with a grin.
“I’m thinking out,” Chappy said with a chuckle.
“Well, I’m not ready to get out of this warm bed yet.”
Chappy leaned over and kissed her. “I wasn’t going to ask you to. I’m just getting up the energy and nerve to pry myself away from your delectable body, out from under the warm covers, get dressed, put a log or two on the fire, take him out, then start up the generator so we can have a hot shower, coffee, and a warm breakfast.”
“I’ll get up while you’re outside and do the coffee thing,” she offered.
But Chappy shook his head. “No. Stay put. I want to see you lying in my bed, naked and happy, when I come back. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve fantasized about just that in the last few days.”
She blushed. “You’re going to spoil me,” she scolded.
“That’s my goal,” Chappy told her without hesitation. He turned to the dog. “I’m comin’， boy. Give me a second.”
As if Baxter could understand him, he turned and walked to the front of the cabin. Then he sat, facing the door, as if giving him privacy.
“So now he turns his head,” Chappy said with a shake of his own and a low laugh before climbing out from under the covers. He leaned over and kissed Carlise gently. “I love you. So much. I’ll be back.”
Then he turned, not embarrassed in the least by his nudity, and bent to pick up their discarded clothes. He could feel Carlise’s gaze on him, and it made him smile. She could look all she wanted, he didn’t mind. Every inch of him belonged to her.
He went to the dresser and pulled on a pair of boxers, pants, and a long-sleeved shirt, then turned to the bed once more. Just as he’d thought, Carlise’s eyes were glued to him. “Enjoy the show?” he teased.
“More than you know,” she replied with a huge smile.
Knowing if he went over to the bed, he’d crawl back under the covers and Baxter wouldn’t get to go outside anytime soon, Chappy forced himself to head to the bathroom instead. He hadn’t expected the morning to go how it had, but he was beyond thrilled. He’d wanted Carlise ever since he’d first become aware of her presence.
He could picture them being together for years and years, but first he needed to make sure whoever was harassing her was taken care of. Once that was done, they could both relax and move on with their lives . . . hopefully together.
Chapter Twelve
Carlise couldn’t remember a better start to a day than what she and Riggs had shared. The sex was . . . better than she ever thought it could be. Riggs was a generous lover. And he didn’t treat her with kid gloves, which she adored. She hadn’t known that about herself, how much she’d like it when Riggs was forceful. Not in a way that hurt, but he easily held her still when she tried to squirm, forced her orgasm to continue in a way that had been almost painful, but ultimately so damn good. And he took her hard and fast, rough.