I want to do something to show her how thankful I am. No matter what happens with Miami-Dade, the first chance we get, I’ll whisk her away to the Bahamas for a long weekend or something else that will tell her how much her efforts mean to me.
One minute I’m caressing her breast and thinking about the Bahamas, and the next minute, or so it seems, the alarm on Carmen’s phone is going off. I can’t recall the last time I slept as soundly as I did with her in my arms, steeped in the bewitching scent of her hair. Her hand is entwined with mine, and the sweet intimacy of that touches me profoundly.
“Carmen.” I kiss her shoulder and work my way up to her neck. “Wake up, Sleeping Beauty.”
“Not yet.”
“Is my Rizo grumpy in the morning?”
“Go away.”
I laugh and kiss her some more until she groans. “Is this an everyday thing or just a workday thing?”
“Every.”
“Good to know, but we need to get going. I have to go home and change before the clinic. And I assume you need some of Juanita’s special brew to overcome your morning grumpiness.”
She grunts out a reply and snuggles deeper under the covers.
“Oh no you don’t. Get that sweet, sexy ass out of this bed.” I give her a pat on the bum to encourage her to move.
Giving me a stormy look, she says, “Are you always so freaking cheerful in the morning?”
“If I say yes, is that a deal breaker?”
“Potentially.”
“Then no, I’m not cheerful in the morning. I’m a nasty bastard. Better?”
“Much.”
“Get your ass out of bed so I’m not late for work.”
Groaning, she does as directed and drags herself into the bathroom, taking her phone with her to silence the alarm.
When the door slams behind her, I crack up laughing. I love discovering this new side to her, one that no one else has gotten to experience since she lost her husband. I can’t wait to discover every side of her—the good, the bad and the grumpy.
CARMEN
I’m barely awake when my phone chimes with a text from Mama D, who’s Tony’s mother, Josie. How’s the new job? Hope you’re loving it. Let me know when you can—and let’s do lunch. I’ll come to you!
Seeing her name on my screen fills me with an overwhelming feeling of guilt after what happened with Jason last night. Of course, I know that Tony’s family will support me in anything I do, but are they ready to see me with someone new? Am I ready for them to see that?
Yes, dammit. I’m ready, and I want this with Jason, even if he’s relentlessly cheerful in the morning. I shower and dry my hair, once again leaving it curly in deference to his affection for my curls.
I love that he’s calling me Rizo, that he took the time to learn terms of endearment in Spanish. I loved having sex with him last night, and I can’t wait to do it again. In my closet, I find a dress that’ll allow me to appear professional but won’t cause me to overheat at the clinic.
I’m about to leave the bathroom when I remember the text from my mother-in-law. I lean against the vanity for a minute as I stare down at the screen and think about what I want to say to her. The job is great. I’m on a special assignment helping one of the new docs this week. Will call you later!
Jason is dressed and ready to go when I emerge from the bathroom. The sight of his handsome, smiling face makes my stomach flutter with excitement for another day with him. After he takes a turn in the bathroom, he studies my face as he steps up to me, putting his hands on my hips. “Is it safe to kiss the sleeping dragon?”
“Yes, she’s fully awake now.” I pucker up to make my point.
Still smiling, he comes in slowly, letting the anticipation build before he touches his lips lightly to mine and then takes them away before I have a chance to fully enjoy the kiss.
“More.”
“Not now.”
“Yes, now.”
“Grumpy and demanding in the morning. I’m learning a lot about you, and it’s only eight o’clock.” He kisses my forehead, the tip of my nose and my lips again quickly—far too quickly for my liking. “If I start kissing you again, I won’t want to stop, and we’ve got somewhere to be.” He releases his hold on