“Abso-fucking-lutely.”
Basil gave Henny a censorious look as Rafe walked away. “Don’t tease him. He’s goddamn happy after sleepwalking through tons of naked women who wanted to have sex with him—without ever once breaking a smile. Nicole’s different; he’s clueless why but he’s willing to risk finding out. You fell in love, so you know what it is. I’m finally willing to give it a shot. Yeah, look surprised. I called Claudine. I’m going up to Paris in a few days, see if we can work things out. Look, all of us are fucked up in our own way, but Contini père’s twisted view of women and child-rearing did a real number on Rafe.”
“And you’re saying this chick will open his eyes to love?”
“I’m saying she might. She’s lasted more than a few hours and she’s in his bed.” Basil’s brows lifted slightly. “Two recent miracles. So give him a break.”
“God, you’re sweet, like it’s your God-given mission to spread happiness.” Henny’s smirk creased the rust-colored scruff on his cheeks. “I see why all the poetry-loving groupies jump into your bed.”
Basil smiled. “There’s something wrong with poetry?”
“Hell no, not if it gets you some fine ass,” Henny drawled. “Hey, look.” He jabbed his finger toward the pool. “Success. The man is fucking smooth. No wonder the ladies love him. He even has Ganz smiling and he was in a fierce, crazy mood.”
“The roxy’s taking him down.”
“Whatever. Our boy, Rafie, could sell ice to the Eskimos. Not that I’m complaining. I wouldn’t mind a few hours of sleep.”
Henny and Basil were on their feet waiting when Rafe and Ganz walked up.
Henny grinned. “Anyone want a nice hot chocolate in bed?”
“You gonna tuck me in too?” Ganz was dripping all over the floor, seemingly immune to the coolness of the air.
“Of course, baby,” Henny said sweetly. “I’ll give you a kiss too if it will fucking put you to sleep. Morning comes early and I’m guessing everyone’s going to want breakfast. Which means I have to get up and cook.”
“Waffles. The ones you make with strawberries and whipped cream.” Ganz’s lashes drifted lower for a moment, then he jerked, his eyes flew open, and he was back in the world. “Café au lait with that hazelnut liquor of yours too.”
“You got it.” Henny surveyed the small group. “Any other requests?”
Rafe caught Henny’s gaze, dipped his head toward Basil. “Nothing special for me. Can you all take it from here?”
“No problem,” Basil murmured.
“Call me if you need anything,” Rafe said cryptically. “Anytime.”
“Will do. Sleep tight.” Basil winked. “If she lets you.”
“I still have a few things to do. So fingers crossed she’s still sleeping.”
“Whoa.” Henny’s eyes widened. “You’re turning down sex?”
“What? As if I can’t?”
“You can’t.”
“Can too.”
“Cannot.”
“Jesus, are you two in primary school? Get the fuck out of here, Rafe,” Basil ordered.
Rafe didn’t have to be asked twice. He was burned out. He hadn’t slept last night, nor much the night before. And he had to be up at the crack of dawn. Even the warm night air conspired to add to his fatigue and by the time he reached his bedroom he was practically asleep on his feet.
Josephine clucked in sympathy when she saw him. “For pity’s sake,” she murmured, patting his back as she had when he was young and she’d put him to bed, “you’re exhausted. Go right to sleep.” She shook her finger at him as he started to speak. “Don’t argue. The world won’t come to a stop if you sleep for a few hours.”
“Nicole didn’t wake?” he said instead, because arguing with Josephine never got him anywhere.
“Not a peep. The darling girl is sleeping like a baby. See that you don’t wake her—you hear?”
Rafe smiled. “Yes, ma’am. Am I dismissed now?”
She snorted. “Don’t get smart with me, young man. Someone will call you at half past seven.” She gave him a shove. “Now get to bed.”
He wasn’t planning on sleeping because he still had hours of e-mails that had come in while he’d been playing with Nicole. But when he sat down at the desk to log on to his laptop, he woke up a second later and found himself staring at his screen saver. Crap. A couple of hours of sleep might not be a bad idea.
Quickly undressing, he slipped under the covers and gently eased Nicole into his arms in order not to wake her. But he needed her softness and warmth, her sweet scent and sweeter body right next to his. Ummm… he felt a quick shot of happiness, like he must have done something right and been given a present. A small, perfectly formed, beautiful gift that brought a strange sense of peace with her in the middle of the night. Perhaps it was just not being alone or the feeling of not being alone when his entire life had been intensely private. Or maybe just the feel of her in his arms made his world richer.