sure you had realized it, too. And that morning after we first slept here, when you spoiled Jiggs, buying him two doggy beds, boxes of treats, fancy food, and water bowls, and a leash with his name on it, I knew your love for us was solid.”
Her heart melted. He really did get her.
She’d always known that, but even more so as they’d fallen into life as a couple, finding their routines, their rhythms, staying at his place the nights he worked late and at hers the other nights. They texted often, only now their dirty texts usually ended with them in each other’s arms, living out their sensual fantasies. She continued to go to Dutch’s for dinner when he was working, still hollered at sports and bantered with Kase and the guys from work. Only now she and Harley kissed across the bar, snuck into his office to make out or talk, and Harley stole food off her dinner plate.
“I’ve been wanting to tell you that I love you for a long time.” He trailed his hand down her back and said, “But I was worried about scaring you off. Knowing that you want to one day say it to my face is huge. I can wait, Trig. We don’t have to say it again until you’re ready.”
He was so good to her. “Harley—”
“No pressure, babe. Let’s see how you feel after the father-daughter dance, when you get to my place and see me looking so hot I put all those fathers to shame. You might want to say it then.”
She laughed. “Harley—”
“Oh, I know!” He whipped off the sheet, revealing his beautiful nakedness, sending her entire body into a frenzy. “How about now? Do you want to say it now?”
She climbed over him, straddling his hips, and Jiggs jumped off the bed. He’d turned into a great wingman after all. She laced their hands together and said, “Harley Dutch, I have no idea why you put up with me when you could have any other woman you want.”
“I don’t want any other woman, and I haven’t for an embarrassingly long time. That’s the power of my girl, right there.”
“You’re so crazy,” she teased. “And I like your craziness, because it fits with mine so well. You have endless patience, which you need in order to be with me. You make me laugh every day, you have made me cry but only because it hurts to break down my walls, and you make me cry out in pleasure so often your love should come with a neon warning sign that reads BEWARE! ORGASM COMA AHEAD.”
He laughed and blew her a kiss.
“You have accomplished the impossible, weaseling your way into my life, my house, and most importantly, my heart.” She caressed his face, committing everything about the moment to memory—the joyful look in his eyes, his sexy smile, and how utterly perfect it felt to be in this amazing place with him. “I look at you and I feel things I never thought possible. I love you, Harley, and I’m going to say it a lot. Not just because it feels incredible to finally let it out, but because I want to see you looking at me the way you are right now every single day.”
He swallowed hard, oceans of emotions welling in his eyes. He didn’t say a word as he swept her beneath him and gazed down at her, blinking several times. “How about the way I’m looking at you now? Will you remember this as the moment you left me speechless?”
“Yes.” I love you. I love you. I love you!
“For someone who claims not to be good with words or feelings, you sure tripped up my heart. I love you, baby, and now I’m going to show you just how much in a way I know you’ll understand.”
He began kissing his way down her body, making her insides sizzle and her nerve endings tingle. But she needed to be in his arms, as close as two people could be.
“Harley,” she whispered urgently, and he lifted his head. She beckoned him with her index finger, and he crawled up her body, perching above her again. “Be here with me. Make love to me.”
He reached for a condom, and she touched his arm, stopping him. “I’m on the pill, and I just want to feel you, with nothing between us.”
“Oh, baby,” he said just above a whisper. He nuzzled against her neck, pressing a kiss there.
“Go slow. I don’t