Only Her (A K2 Team Novel)(39)

“Riley?”

And by God, his rumbly voice could melt butter in the middle of a blizzard. “Mmm?” She peered up at him only to see amusement dancing in his eyes. Her cheeks heated at getting caught practically drooling because of a pair of arms, and knowing she was blushing only made it worse. There was no doubt in her mind that the color of her face matched the bright red of her sweater.

“Just this.” He brushed his lips over hers in the lightest of touches. “Good morning, darlin’.” He fingered the hem of her sweater. “This red top you have on . . . it’s damn hot.”

She was about to melt into a puddle right at his feet. “Good morning, Cody.” Well, the control over her voice hadn’t lasted long. She sounded like she’d lost all the air in her lungs.

“Come on. Let’s go feed you.”

“Right. Breakfast. That’s what I’m here for.”

He chuckled as he started to close the door. “No, you’re not, but we’ll talk all about that.”

“Wait.” She glanced over her shoulder. “I don’t think you should leave your dogs out if we’re not there to keep an eye on them.”

“They’re trained not to approach strangers without my okay, nor will they eat anything without my permission, but yeah, better safe than sorry.” He whistled, and they immediately came bounding up the porch and inside. “Come with me, darlin’.”

Yes, she’d go with him wherever he wanted to take her. She’d never been in his house before, and curious, she glanced around. The living room was small, the only furniture a sofa, two comfortable looking theater chairs with a table between them, and a large screen TV mounted on the opposite wall. Underneath the TV was a small stack of boxes.

“Still moving in?”

He eyed the four boxes. “I guess I should get around to doing something with those.”

In the kitchen, a pub table was in front of the bay windows. He’d already set it for their meal. “Is that champagne?”

“Yeah. I thought you could handle one glass before work, but if not, no problem.”

There were strawberries in the bottom of the flutes, and the champagne was golden and bubbly. “Yum!” She headed straight for the table. From the corner of her eye, she saw the hint of a smile on his face. “I’m impressed that a man would have champagne and strawberries. I mean, you didn’t invite me here until late last night, so you had to already have this, right?” She took a sip and moaned from the crisp, cold taste.

“Sorry to disappoint, but I found an all-night store. Sit and enjoy. I’m making you French toast and bacon.” He tilted his head as he looked at her. “Is that okay?”

She heard the uncertainty in his voice, which sent a little thrill through her because she interpreted it to mean that serving a woman breakfast wasn’t a usual thing for him. His nervousness was endearing. It would have been a definite turnoff if he’d been confident of making a conquest of her.

“It’s so okay that I think you deserve a kiss.” Without waiting for a sign that a kiss would be welcomed, she walked straight into his arms, and covered his cheeks with her palms. The man’s lips were soft and seeking. She’d initiated the kiss, but when he took over, she let him.

She had bounced around from foster home to foster home in her youth, and as a result gave up control to no one. Ever. And although there was something different with Cody, where she was able to let him set the pace, she couldn’t resist testing him.

He made a slow slide with his hands down her back, his fingers coming to rest on her hips. His tongue tangled with hers, demanding dominance. She gave him that for a few moments. When she felt like she was drowning, she clamped her teeth down on the tongue exploring all the corners of her mouth.

She peered up at him, needing to see his reaction. Searing heat shimmered in his eyes. The man could take whatever she threw his way. With a last tightening of her teeth, she let go and leaned back, waiting to see what he would do or say.

“Christ, darlin’.” He sucked in a breath as he took her hand and pressed it against the bulge in his jeans. “I think he’s permanently stuck on hard.” Letting go of her hand, he narrowed his eyes. “You bit me. I liked it.”

“I liked biting you. I have some other places in mind to bite you.” She went to the table and took a seat, hiding her smile.

“I’m screwed.”

He said it so low that she didn’t think he meant for her to hear, but it was the best compliment she’d ever been paid. “I’m ready for my French toast and bacon.”