Grandpa Sammy nearly choked, coughing and sputtering his favored beer, but Rory tilted his head back and let out a huge belly laugh, the smile on his face making his eyes sparkle with mirth. In that moment, she’d seen the man he was meant to be, not the one he’d grown into as the head of the family and ranch, so filled with responsibility and duty.
She’d remember his laugh for the rest of her life. She hoped to find hers again someday. Right now, her feelings were all mixed up. Grief for her father. Anger for her brother. Fear Derek would find and use her again as leverage against her brother—or worse, as some sick and twisted payment for the debt her brother owed.
A chill went up her spine, shivering through her whole body, making her drop the glass of water. It thudded on the rug, but luckily didn’t break.
“Sadie.” Rory’s deep, sleepy voice rasped.
“Uh, sorry. Let me get a towel to mop that up,” she whispered. She dashed into the kitchen and pulled a clean dishtowel from the drawer beside the dishwasher. She ran back into the living room just as Rory set the glass on the table. He sat on the sofa and scrubbed his hands over his face, yawning.
“What are you doing up, sweetheart?”
Sadie mopped up the water, pressing the towel hard against the carpet to soak up all the liquid. “I couldn’t sleep. Nightmare.”
“You look like you just had another one. Come here.” Rory reached for her hand and gently tugged.
She stepped up off her knees and landed on the sofa next to him. She went willingly, feeling like a complete idiot for letting her ghosts spook her.
Rory turned toward her and reached for her face, his warm palm cupping her cheek. “You’re so pale. What’s wrong?”
She shook her head and sighed. “Nothing. Everything. I’m so tired, but I can’t sleep.”
“You’re not used to being here. A strange place, it’s hard to relax. After all you’ve been through lately, you’re bound to have a few nightmares. What can I do?”
“Nothing. I’m sorry I woke you. I didn’t want to be alone, so I came down for some water and . . .”
“And?”
“To look at you.”
“Like what you see?”
She bumped her shoulder into his, smiling. She reached up, touched his face with her hand, and swept her thumb over the grin on his lips. “I really love it when you smile.” She laid her head on his shoulder, sagging against him.
Rory slid behind her, settling back on the couch, and pulled her down with him. “Stay with me. I’ll keep the nightmares away.”
“Because you’re a dream come true?”
He chuckled, tucking the blanket around her as she cuddled into his warmth. “If you say so.”
“I’m totally losing it if I’m saying mushy things like that to you. Forget I ever said it. Please.”
“No way. You said it. I’m your dream guy.”
She couldn’t believe the man she once thought cold grinned and teased with her in the dark, all to take her mind off her troubles and make her smile. Light, fun, the way he acted with his family, he now showed her so easily.
Rory’s hand settled on her hip and squeezed. She snuggled closer, her bottom tucked up against his groin. Totally intimate. The chill that raced through her earlier was long forgotten under the wave of heat that spread through her system now with Rory’s body cradling hers.
With his massive shoulders taking up all the space, she couldn’t find a comfortable spot on his arm that he left out straight for her to lie on. In another ten minutes, he’d lose all circulation and she’d have a stiff neck.
“This couch isn’t big enough for the two of us,” she complained. “Make room for me.” She flipped over, pulled on his middle for him to flatten out, then lay on her side, her leg over his, and laid her head on his shoulder, her cheek pressed to his chest. His arm was still out straight, so she shifted again. “Put your arm down my back and make sure I don’t fall off.”
“You asked for it.” Rory draped his arm down her back and planted his hand right on her ass. “Better?” The laugh in his voice only set the butterflies in her belly to flight again.
“Yes.” She rocked her hips against his thigh. “And no.”
His hand tightened on her bottom. His other hand clamped on to her bare thigh. “Stop moving, or I won’t be held responsible for what happens.” He shifted uncomfortably below her, but only managed to rub against her center with his thigh more. With no underwear and only the soft cotton nightgown between them, she moaned.
“God, don’t do that,” he grumbled.