Chapter Seventeen
Quinten didn’t think he had a poetic, artsy-fartsy, lyrical bone in his body, but watching Camilla sleep made him want to write a sonnet, chisel a sculpture, or sing an aria. He was glad she was asleep so she wouldn’t see the undoubtedly fucking goofy look on his face at the moment. She was so beautiful, curled up with most of the covers bunched between her arms because she’d stolen them during the night. He felt awed that he was there with her and that she called him hers. He even got a little teary as he lifted a glistening, reddish-blonde strand of her hair from her shoulder and stroked it between his fingers and then kissed it. He’d do whatever he had to, to keep her happy and safe.
With a deep sigh she wriggled closer, pulling more of the covers to her before she curled her hands up under her chin. Smiling at his little blanket thief, he leaned toward her and inhaled, careful to not disturb her. He needed to draw her essence into his lungs, to fill his head with her sweet, natural scent. He could’ve laid there all morning just watching her sleep, but he eventually slid from the bed, pushing his pillow against her so she wouldn’t miss his body heat. He was in the kitchen cooking a late breakfast after his shower when he heard the water running in the master bathroom.
“She wakes.”
A few minutes later, he smiled when he heard her stumble into the kitchen. Without turning, he said, “Good morning. Hope you’re horny—I mean hungry.”
He turned to her when he felt her draw near. She glided her hands up and down his bare rib cage, and he groaned when she slid just her fingertips into the front waistband of his cargo shorts. Just like that, his body came alive.
“Both, actually. I cannot believe you let me sleep so late.”
“You needed it, baby. You’ve been working every spare moment the last few weeks. If you keep this pace up we’ll both turn into major mother hens. Being self-employed doesn’t necessarily mean every waking moment is spent on your business. You need rest…and relaxation too.”
“Uh-huh. And I’ll bet you can help me with the relaxation part, can’t you?”
He growled as he turned to her and said, “Food first, beautiful. Then you can have your wicked way with me. How do you feel this morning?”
Her cheeks were rosy as she looked up at him. His heart hammered again as he gazed into her still-sleepy eyes. He felt particularly blessed that he got to see her like this. Fresh from sweet dreams and warm from his bed, dressed in his T-shirt.
“I feel fine.”
“Sore?”
She shrugged, and a satisfied smile bowed her lips. “A little, but nothing I can’t handle. You both are so big.” And just like that, the fresh-faced princess turned into a seductive vixen as her naughty smile curved to one side. She leaned forward and flicked his nipple with the tip of her tongue and giggled when he jumped at the contact, and a shudder rippled through his torso.
He picked up the tongs and made clamping motions at her nipples until she giggled and twisted in his arms. He guided her back as the bacon sizzled so she wouldn’t get popped by any of the grease and hummed softly as she gave him a good-morning kiss. She tasted of her minty toothpaste and her own sweet essence.
“Where’s Ben?”
“He’s running errands today before he goes out to Morehead to check in with Jack and talk to him about what happened. We’re getting together with Ethan this afternoon to talk about increasing security.”
“Is that really necessary? What if it really was just someone taking advantage of a door left ajar?”
“I know you don’t want to overreact, baby. But what if it wasn’t? We don’t want to take chances with your safety. If I could spend every moment with you, I would. But you’re needed there and I’m needed at The Pony. I’m also hoping you’ll be leaving every day before it gets dark, too.”
A doubtful look crossed her face. “That’s pretty early. You know once we get close to the opening that won’t be able to happen.”
“I’m pretty sure that Cody, Heath, and Spencer will be willing to adjust their schedule to accommodate you.”
“I took an application yesterday.”
“I would imagine now that word is getting out, you’ll have a lot of applicants. Remember you can have Ace and Kemp do background checks on all of them.”
They ate breakfast, and when she would’ve returned to the bedroom to clean up and get ready for work, he grabbed the hem of her shirt and pulled her into his lap.
She arched her brow at him. “Mr. Lay-Around-the-House, I have work to attend to.”
“Nuh-uh. You have a horny man to attend to first.”