was music to my ears.
I looked down at her, tucked into my side, her hands wrapped around the handle of the cart. I had to smile as I watched her. Her cheeks were flushed, and I knew it wasn’t just from the wine. She wanted me as much as I wanted her. When I had told her on our first night together we’d be an inferno in the bedroom, I’d had no idea how accurate that statement would be for us. She was everything I could have asked for in a lover—passionate and fierce at times, teasing and sweet at others. As well, she was achingly beautiful in her desire. Together, we fit perfectly, and I adored everything about her—even when she was bossy about cereal.
My mind strayed, thinking about our first time.
We didn’t plan it; it simply happened. We spent all weekend together. I took her to return the watch, laughing when she picked out something pretty for herself instead. “Money well spent,” I informed her with a kiss. “Much better.”
We talked about everything. From our childhoods, schooling, parents, friends, what we wanted from our relationship, even birth control and being safe. We left nothing to chance. I was serious about this girl.
She stayed the night again Saturday. She slept in my arms, and for the moment, I was good with that. Sunday after dinner, she smiled as we finished the dishes and waved her hand toward the door.
“I should go. I have laundry to do and a little work I meant to do this weekend. Until I got, ah, got…”
I moved closer, slipping my fingers through the belt loops on her jeans, tugging her close.
“Sidetracked?” I offered.
“My boyfriend put me on house arrest.”
I lowered my head to her neck, pressing kisses to the column of her throat. “I let you go back to your apartment yesterday, Jenny. You came back of your own free will.”
She made a sound, a cross between a moan and a whimper. It was low and sexy. She tightened her hands on my shoulders.
“Do you really have to go?” I murmured.
With a sigh, she stepped back. “Yes. We both have things to do. Your shift starts at seven tomorrow morning. I have a meeting I need to be ready for.”
She was right, and I knew it. The fact that she knew my schedule made me grin, even as I tamped down my disappointment. I leaned over her shoulder, snagged a spare key off the hook, and pressed it into her hand. “Use this whenever you want, Wren.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
I pulled her in, hugged her close, and walked her to her door. “Sleep well, little bird. I’ll call you tomorrow, okay?”
She rose up on her toes, and I met her partway, kissing her hard. It took everything in me not to follow her inside her place.
Hours later, I was lying in bed, an arm tucked beneath my head, staring at the ceiling. I couldn’t sleep. My once-comfortable bed felt wrong without Jenny in it. Rolling over, I punched my pillow and tried to get comfortable. It was stupid. She had only slept there for two nights, yet my room seemed empty without her. I could smell her on my sheets, which only made me miss her more. Glancing at the clock, I groaned. It was 1:00 a.m., and I knew I wouldn’t be falling asleep anytime soon. I was keyed up, and my mind wouldn’t shut off.
I heard a noise and rose up on my elbows, listening. Not hearing anything, I began to lie back down when the noise started again. Certain I had heard my apartment door open, I swung my legs over the mattress and flicked on the light. The footfalls were soft and could only belong to one person. My heart raced, and I spoke loudly.
“I have a gun, and the license to use it.”
The footfalls came closer. “So I’ve heard.” Jenny’s voice sassed. “You bragged earlier how big your gun was, if I remember right.”
She appeared at my door, wearing a nightshirt, her hair up in a ponytail. She looked sexy and nervous.
“You should give a guy a warning before breaking in.” I smirked. “My gun might have been loaded.”
“It’s not breaking in if I have a key.” She peered around. “Where’s this big gun of yours?”
“Come closer, and I’ll show you.”
She moved forward, and I pulled her between my legs. “What are you doing here, Wren?”
“I couldn’t sleep. I couldn’t stop thinking about you.”
“Funny, I was having the same problem.” I ran