“Honey,” Basil said on a sigh. “The nanos will remove the morphine from his system long before the punishment is done.”
“Maybe, but maybe not. If the nanos are busy healing him, they might leave the morphine until they’re done,” she pointed out, and when he paused to consider that, Sherry added, “And it’s better than doing nothing.”
He peered at her silently for a moment, and then sighed and nodded. “Fine.”
“Really?” she asked with surprise.
Basil nodded. “I love you, Sherry. And I don’t want to see you unhappy or worried about your father’s punishment, so if it will help you, I’ll do it.”
“You really don’t think it’s going to work, do you?” she asked on a sigh.
“I don’t know,” he admitted solemnly, and she believed him.
Which meant it might work, Sherry thought hopefully, and then allowed her mind to move on to what was trying to crowd out worries for her father, “You said in the SUV and then again just now that you love me? Do you mean it?”
“Yes,” he said simply, his expression certain.
“But we haven’t known each other long, and—”
“You didn’t mean it then when you told me you love me?” Basil interrupted with concern.
“Oh, yes,” she assured him, slipping into his arms. “I realized that when Leo had me. You’re perfect for me, Basil. You’re a gentle soul with so much love to give. You’re kind and have a great sense of humor. I’ve never smiled or laughed as much with anyone as I have with you, and . . .” She shrugged helplessly. “I’m happy with you. I don’t feel anxious, or worried. I don’t have to edit what I say or think for fear that you’ll think less of me. I can be me and know that’s enough.”
“It’s more than enough,” Basil assured her, and bent as if to kiss her, but she stopped him with a hand at his mouth.
Arching one eyebrow, Sherry asked, “Aren’t you going to tell me why you love me?”
Straightening, he gave a nod, caught her hand and started across the yard.
“Where are we going?” she asked with surprise.
“Somewhere we can talk,” Basil announced, breaking into a jog, and moments later he was hustling her through a set of French doors and into what looked like a cross between an office and a library.
“Whose office is—?” Her question ended on a startled gasp as Basil suddenly tugged her into his arms and kissed her. Sherry hesitated, but then slid her arms around him and kissed him back, her body pressing eagerly against him.
When he broke the kiss and nibbled his way to her ear to say, “Brains,” she blinked and pulled back with shock.
“Huh?”
“I love your brain,” he explained. “You wanted a list of things I love about you and that’s one of them. I love the way you think.”
“Oh,” she said with relief, “For a minute I thought we’d gone from Fright Night to Zombieland.”
“What?” he asked with bewilderment, apparently not understanding the association.
“Never mind,” she said, and smiled. “I like the way you think too.”
“Mmm.” Basil pulled her closer and bent to kiss her neck. “I love your sense of humor as well. And you also make me laugh more than I ever have before.”
“That’s nice,” Sherry breathed, tipping her head back out of the way as his lips trailed down her throat and along the collar of the scooped necked T-shirt she’d donned that morning.
“And I think you’re kind too,” he told her, tugging the neckline down so he could run his tongue along the top of her bra. “And forgiving. I like that about you too,” he added, catching the lip of the bra cup and tugging it down to free her breast, “And I love your nipples,” he mumbled even as he claimed one, sucking it between his teeth.
Sherry groaned, and clutched at his head and one shoulder as he laved and suckled her.
Releasing her breast, he lifted his head and added, “And I love your passion,” as he slid a hand between her legs and cupped her through her jeans. He then caught her excited cry with his mouth as he kissed her again.
Sherry sucked violently at his tongue and shifted against his hand as he applied pressure. Then she slid her own hand down to find him through his jeans and pressed firmly.