go in there with you, I’m gonna take you again, and you need rest. You look really tired. You’ve got circles under your eyes and I don’t think you’ve been eating right. Your ribs are sticking out.”
Her gaze fell to the floor.
Shit. He knew immediately that she’d taken his comments the wrong way. He tilted up her chin. “You are so damn desirable to me.” He ran the back of his hand down her soft cheek and then tapped the tip of her nose. He raised a brow. “Remember, even when I thought you were a guy, I was drawn to you. I’m a sure thing every time.” He slapped her lightly on the ass. “Get in the shower. Then you’re sleeping beside me.”
Soon he brought a robe and they switched places. When he finished showering and walked into the bedroom, she was already asleep, curled on her side, hand resting underneath her chin. He climbed in behind her, propped up on an elbow, and stared down at her, his heart expanding in his chest. He loved her so much and wanted so badly to put his ring back on her finger. It could wait, though. She was here with him, back where she belonged. That was what mattered most.
He lay back down beside her, cradling her body with his.
She sighed, and he wrapping his hand around hers, tucking it into the center of her chest. She unconsciously scooted back enticingly against him and murmured his name in her sleep.
He moaned, silently cursing his good intentions.
Sitting up, her back resting against the headboard, Avery stroked a hand through his thick hair. Mesmerized, she drank in the sight of his hard masculine frame spread out across the white hotel sheets. The early morning sun filtered in through a crack in the heavy curtains and fell like an arrow across his broad muscular shoulders.
“Mmm,” he mumbled, turning over, lips curving up in that dangerously sexy way of his. “How long have you been up?”
“A while.” She returned his lazy smile, eyes twinkling. “Totally lickable.”
“I knew you remembered.” He laughed, sitting up and pulling her into his side.
“Um, yeah.” She lowered her head and ran her tongue lightly across the tight tan coin of his nipple.
“I was a little afraid you might not be here when I woke up.”
“This is not a onetime deal for me.” Her expression serious, she tilted her head back and looked into his eyes. “You ever try to shut me out again or look at another woman, even for pretend, and I’ll kick you in the shin.”
He winced.
“And then I’ll sic Ray on you.” She traced her fingers over his tattoo. “I know we still have issues to work out, but I also know that we can’t work through them if we’re not together.”
“I’m never letting you go again,” he promised, stretched out his free arm, and reached for something on the nightstand. His expression intense, he turned back to her, his arm tightening around her shoulder. “Words aren’t a strong point for me, but I’ll tell you again and again, every single day and never ever get tired of saying it. I love you. I want you in my life. I want to see you smiling at me every morning, calling me out on my BS every day, and I want you tucked into my arms every night.”
He took in a deep breath and opened his hand.
When she saw what he held her eyes misted. The square cut diamond and white gold ring looked so small and delicate in the palm of his masculine hand.
“I wanted to give this back to you last night.” He seemed nervous as he plowed ahead. “I know you’re probably worried I’ll screw up again. With good reason. You don’t need me half as much as I need you, but I was hoping…”
“I do need you.” She put a finger over his lips. “What I said before, well, it wasn’t true. And for the record I’ve done my fair share of messing up on this tour.”
“Yeah.” He moved aside her bangs, touching a finger gently to the healing wound on her forehead. “But your screw-ups didn’t end up with someone getting almost killed.” He shifted, his hands moving to frame her face, his eyes searching hers. “Ace, I believe in you and me for the long haul, and whether we take the easy or the hard way, the short road or the long, together like this is the way we belong. Who