never be able to sleep without her again. He’d run himself ragged in his travels, chasing fatigue, but no matter how exhausted he was, the minute he’d closed his eyes, Carly was front and center in his dreams. But last night he’d slept harder in the few hours after they’d made love than he ever had before, and while Carly was still the star of his every thought, she was also finally his reality.
They had five more days together. He had four more nights to hold her, love her, and to try to earn her trust. She loved him. He was certain of that, even if she was holding the words in. But he understood her worries. He just needed to figure out what to do about them.
The Pride was supposed to be their discovery, and even though he’d been elated with what he hoped would prove to be a history-making find, he’d been honest when he’d said he wasn’t fulfilled. But he couldn’t be a white-picket fence guy any more than Carly could give up the life she’d worked so hard to create. He needed answers that could only come with time. He just hoped five days was enough to show her that they were worth holding on to until they figured it out.
Bandit, asleep on the ground beside the daybed, lifted his head from his paws, his ears standing up. He’d woken with the roosters, too, and he’d gone to check things out, ambling back into the tent a long while later and falling right back to sleep. Zev was getting used to having Bandit following him around like a shadow, checking on the chickens, and jumping into the truck whenever he opened the door. But he didn’t think he’d ever get used to having his shit stolen.
“Hey, buddy, what’s the matter?” Zev whispered. He didn’t dare reach out to pet him for fear of waking Carly.
Bandit jumped to his feet and ran out of the tent, probably in search of more stuff to steal. At least he couldn’t get into any of Zev’s things since the doors to the inn were closed. That reminded him that Bandit had stolen Carly’s shirt, and he made a mental note to look for it.
Bandit barked in the distance, rousing Carly, who snuggled into his side. She made a sleepy sound and pressed a sweet kiss to his chest. She lifted her face, a sleepy smile curving her lips.
“Morning, babe.” Zev kissed her.
He ran his hand down her back, resting it on the curve at the base of her spine. Last night he’d given that sexy spot extra-special attention. She’d always been ticklish there, and he’d enjoyed making her squirm almost as much as he’d enjoyed loving his way up her spine, kissing every vertebra, and lavishing the back of her shoulders and neck with openmouthed kisses as she writhed beneath him, rubbing her ass against his cock. He was getting hard just thinking about how she’d risen on her hands and knees and he’d loved her from behind until they’d collapsed into each other’s arms.
“Mm. Good morning to you, too.” She wrapped her hand around his erection, heat rising in her eyes.
She stroked him tight and slow, licking his nipple. Holy fucking hell, she remembered all of her little tricks.
“Come here, beautiful.” He rolled her onto her back and moved over her, kissing her as she spread her legs wider and he aligned their bodies.
“A girl could get used to this.”
“I’m counting on it.” As he lowered his mouth to hers, Bandit barreled into the tent.
“Carly?” a male voice called out.
Zev rose on his palms just as Cutter walked into the tent. Zev lowered himself to cover Carly’s naked body and said, “Dude!”
“Cutter!” Carly scrambled to cover up, pushing Zev’s chest. “Move!”
Cutter looked confused as Zev shifted off Carly, quickly covering her with a sheet, and said, “Dude, turn around.”
“Oh shit. Sorry!” Cutter turned his back to them and said, “Guess Zev rescued you from the Island of Denial.”
“Shut up! What time is it? Why are you here?” Carly snapped.
“It’s eight thirty,” Cutter said. “Birdie called me. She’s been texting you all night and got worried about y—”
“Eight thirty?” Carly hollered, clutching the sheet to her chest. “What day is it?” She shook her head as if she was trying to rattle her brain into submission. “I need to go! Where are my clothes? I have to call Birdie!” She looked frantically around them. “Where’s my phone?”
“Your phone is still