Leaning myself against him, I fit my head under his chin and murmur, “Hey. What’s the matter?”
Tentatively, his arm comes around me before he crushes me tight against him. “I’m not sure,” he says into my hair, “but I think I’m overthinking—everything. I might be overthinking everything.”
“Why don’t we go upstairs,” I start, planting a kiss on his collarbone, “and spend the night connecting in your room after we check on the girls for the night?”
He’s quiet for a long moment and very still against me. Then, “By connecting, do you mean—”
“Sex. After that power nap, I’m pretty darn awake and you’re ridiculously handsome.”
His swallow whaps his Adam’s apple into my temple. His kiss mashes my hair against my scalp, forcefully goofy, excited—messy but affectionate. “If you’re waiting for me to object, don’t waste your breath. I’d follow you anywhere, for anything, anytime. And also—you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”
My cheeks heat. Because I know that he means it—he believes it. “Gosh, thanks, Lucan.” Then I gasp, because he’s slid down my body, wrapped his arms around my thighs, and the whole world turns upside down as he hefts me over his shoulder.
“A—fireman’s carry—really?” I pant around the unforgiving muscle of his shoulder.
“No, actually, a fireman’s carry is different,” he says. “I’d wear you over both my shoulders and hold one of your arms to keep you secure.”
“Then—what’s—this?”
He pops me on the butt—and I’m not sure if it’s deliberate, but he spanks me right where the increased blood flow can do the most wonders. “Don’t know its official name. This is how we carry deer home if we don’t feel like dragging them with our teeth.”
“Flatterer,” I tell him as he makes his way to the stairs.
“You should feel flattered. You are dear to me.”
“Lucan, another pun? NO,” I laugh.
He chuckles softly, something I feel all over my body. “Well, what else can I say?” His voice deepens, and he caresses my rear end, making me bite my lip to stifle a moan. “You’re one hot meal, and I’m going to enjoy eating you in a minute.”
Grinning, I tuck my face against his back, inhaling his shirt and anticipating what’s about to come.
Me.
CHAPTER 47
LUCAN
Normally, I look forward to teaching Sunday school. I love working with the kids, they’re so vibrant and enthusiastic, for everything.
But I have a hard time pulling away from Susan in the predawn hours. I only manage to separate myself from her and get dressed because we need to check on Maggie.
“You make this feel like Christmas morning,” I tell the back of her neck, nuzzling at the spot as she belts my robe around her naked, well-used body. “I’m feeling that same level of excitement, like you’re hamburger cookies and chaffles mixed together.”
Susan stops and cocks her head in that way she does when she’s encountered something that seems really strange to her. “I’m not sure if I’m more disturbed that someone made something called a hamburger cookie, or the fact that it’s your Christmas tradition. Lucan, that’s weird.”
I sniff her hair right behind her ear and kiss the spot. “Wait til you try them. Especially if you stack them between chaffles.”
“And those. I’m not even sure what those are.”
I nip her earlobe, making her suck in a breath. “I’ll show you.”
I’ve got a pair of sweats clutched in my hand, but I haven’t put them on yet. Standing naked at her back, I’m debating whether I have the prowess yet to bend her over the bed and get her to the finish line in under five minutes.
My newfound skills are too unpracticed though; my lack of confidence has me hesitating.
Susan turns a sultry look over her shoulder that has my jaw dropping open and my already interested cock lengthening and getting rude with her rear end. “Before we do breakfast, maybe we should take a shower.”
Blinking to clear my thoughts, I straighten. “Yeah. We should have time for showers.”
Susan turns around fully, wraps her arms around me, and brings her hips indecently close to mine, backing me up to the wall. She slides her hands to my shoulders, adding light pressure that manages the power of railroad spikes—because I stay glued right where she’s got me. She leans in close, her sapid morning breath making my mouth water. “No. I mean we can shower together.”
“Ohhhh.” I stare at her neck like I want to devour her. Because I do.
“Look at me,” she whispers—and obediently, my eyes fly up to