Savage Love (Savage Trilogy #3) - Lisa Renee Jones Page 0,12

blinds, cool air conditioning chilling the room, and Rick’s big, warm body cradling mine from behind. My lashes lower in a savoring moment as I snuggle in just a little closer to him. Still asleep, he instinctively reacts by folding me into him, nuzzling my neck. It’s surreal. This is surreal. Just weeks ago, I didn’t believe I’d ever see Rick again, let alone, wake to him, and yet, I am, and we are very much back together. And for that reason, I promised him that I’d trust him, and I’m going to give him that trust.

The shadows of sleep dance in my mind, decorated with rose petals and memories. I’m suddenly, or perhaps not so suddenly, faded into sleep and that past, reliving one of the best nights of my life.

After a night of dancing and naughtiness in the loft above our favorite country bar, which still has me blushing, Rick pulls his truck into the garage and kills the engine. “Don’t move, baby,” he orders. “I have a surprise for you.”

I laugh. “Sneaking into that loft is all I can handle tonight.”

“We both know that’s not true.” He winks and kisses me. “Stay here or I’ll be forced to spank you right here in the truck because the surprise is inside.”

“You’re bad.”

He wiggles an eyebrow. “You know it, baby, more than anyone.”

He slides out of the truck and shuts me inside. I laugh and peek over the dash, enjoying the view of his nice tight ass that looks just as good in scrubs as it does in tonight’s faded jeans. He enters the house, and curiosity is killing me for obvious reasons. With Rick Savage, there is no telling what comes next, and I love it. I love the way he makes me live life, the way he breathes excitement into every second of every day, yet somehow calms me at the same time.

Rick enters the house, our house now for nearly four of the six months we’ve known each other, and I count the seconds that turn into a few minutes, until his return. Finally, he exits the house, holding something in his hand that I can’t quite make out.

Eager to find out what he’s up to I watch him round the truck and open the passenger door to retrieve me. “Madam,” he says, offering me his big, strong, surgically-gifted hand. The very hands that saved the life of a little boy and his parents just last night, but there is so much more to him than just the surgeon. He’s complicated. He’s damaged. I’ve seen the ways his father contributes to just how damaged. And yet when he’s with me, especially here at home, he relaxes into the moment. I watch it happen, often.

“Sir,” I say formally, playing along with his game, as I press my palm to his, and he guides me across the seat. A second later, he catches my waist and lifts me out of the truck with such ease you’d think I was a feather. I do like his muscles. I sway slightly with the influence of my one Tequila Sunrise which proves I’m truly a lightweight, but Rick had only one beer. I think he’s always afraid he’ll be called out on an emergency even when he’s not on call. Or maybe he’s just afraid of becoming his father.

He catches my hips from behind. “Easy, baby,” he murmurs, nibbling my neck and sending a delicious rush of goosebumps down my spine. “I got you. Always.”

Always.

That word.

He’s used it often lately.

“I hope so,” I whisper, and maybe it’s the Tequila Sunrise, but right now, I have this fear pinching my chest—fear of loving him this much and losing him. But then, I’m an army brat who lost my mother to war. Rick is still a surgeon, but he’s also a more than willing soldier.

He shuts the truck door and guides me forward, smiling one of his sexy mischievous smiles. He catches my fingers and backs up. “What are you up to?”

“Wait and see.”

He stops with the kitchen door at his back and holds up a blindfold. “Turn around.”

My eyes widen. “What are you up to?” I repeat.

He turns me and steps into me. “You’re just going to have to trust me. I promise I’ll only lick in those special spots.”

Laughter erupts from my throat and I let him place the blindfold over my eyes. “You’re dirty.”

“Just the way you like me.” He turns me to face him and I can feel him