moment count with the people I love while they’re in my life.”
“Which is why you agreed to spend this time with me, isn’t it?” he asked with a grin that conveyed, You still love me. You know you do.
Warning bells went off in her head. Apparently he was still excellent at asking questions that would bring broader answers than one might think, so she answered carefully. “Like I said, these six days are a gift, and I want to enjoy them. I still can’t believe we’re here together, and we…wow.”
He kissed her softly and said, “You’re great for my ego.”
“I won’t tell you what part of me you’re great for. I’m sure I’ll be sore in places I never realized I could be sore.”
“Then I guess I should temper my thoughts about what I want to do to you later.”
She feigned a scowl and said, “You’d better not temper them.”
“I love that you have not changed in that regard.”
“I thought I had; then you went and proved me wrong. But if this ruining is going to continue, then I need food to replenish my energy.” She sat up, pulling the sheet over her chest. The descending sun cast a romantic glow over the porch. “I thought Beau and Char had put you in the Peter Pan room because they thought you refused to grow up. You know, always dreaming of finding treasures. But I think it was because of this sleeping porch, wasn’t it?”
“Sure was. I don’t do well sleeping indoors.” He stepped from the bed, reaching for her in all his naked glory, and said, “Come on, beautiful. Let’s get cleaned up and forage for food.”
Chapter Ten
AFTER A QUICK and handsy shower, Carly pulled on her underwear and shorts and looked around for her shirt. Zev stepped into his shorts commando. As if she wouldn’t think about that for the rest of the afternoon. Sheesh. The man was a walking billboard for sex on legs. She forced herself to stop looking at him and focused on searching for her shirt. She emptied her backpack and realized she’d forgotten to pack a bra, but she had worn a tank top over her bathing suit, and it was nowhere to be found.
“Zev, did you move my shirt when I was in the shower?” She turned and found him watching her intently. Her lion was obviously getting hungry again. A shiver of heat trickled down her spine. Her stomach growled, reminding her she needed to eat. She crossed her hands over her breasts and said, “Zevy…”
He scrubbed a hand down his face and said, “Sorry, but look at you. Covering up or not, you’re fantastic.” He leaned in for a kiss, staying close for several more.
She could get used to this.
No, no, no. No getting used to anything.
“I didn’t move your shirt. But if it’s missing, I know who stole it.” He hollered out the bathroom door, “Bandit!”
“You think he stole my shirt?”
Bandit trotted into the bathroom, tail wagging.
“This innocent-looking dog has already stolen my towel, socks, one of my notebooks, which I still haven’t found, and my binoculars. When I was collecting eggs from the chickens this morning, he ran off with the bucket. I think we can add your shirt to this scavenger’s list.” Zev loved up Bandit. “Hey there, thief. Did you take my girl’s shirt?”
My girl. Carly tried to quell the giddiness bubbling up inside her.
Bandit cocked his head and licked Zev’s cheek.
“I’m taking that as a yes.” He ruffled the dog’s head and stood. “I’ll give you one of mine.”
He took her hand, leading her into the bedroom. She had forgotten how much of a hand holder he was. She’d missed it.
Char and Beau had done a great job of decorating to bring out the elegance of the Darlings’ London home. A crystal chandelier hung in the center of the room, and just beyond was a sleek and intricately carved mahogany canopy bed, as rich and luxurious as it was romantic. On the far wall was a hand-painted mural of the London cityscape with silhouettes of Peter Pan, Wendy, and her brothers flying in front of Big Ben in the moonlight. A shadow of Peter Pan peeked out from behind the closet door, and there were lanterns as bedside lights and pristine hardwood floors with a plush and elegant area rug.
Zev fished around in a duffel bag and held up a faded Maroon 5 T-shirt. “Remember this one?”
“I can’t believe you still have it.” She snagged the