“That’s…” Surprising? Not really. She knew his home was his sanctuary. “I like knowing that.”
He pressed his lips to hers and caressed her cheek. It was such an intimate gesture, it warmed her as much as his confession had. “You are a beautiful woman, Trixie, and I want you. I want us. I just have to figure some things out.”
“So you can stop feeling like a dick?”
His lips curved up, and he nodded. “Something like that.”
She was relieved and also a little sad that he’d locked his heart away for so long, he was having this much trouble finding the key. “Take your time, cowboy. My heart has been yours forever. I’m not going anywhere.”
She kissed him softly and headed up to the house to give him time and space to figure things out. She went into his bedroom to get her clothes, and the sight of the rumpled blankets on the bed sent a pang of sadness through her. She carried her clothes into her bedroom and climbed into bed, thinking about how much had changed and how he’d opened up to her tonight. Not just at the bar, or outside, but when they’d made love. No wonder he was a little freaked out by it all. So was she, but in a good way.
She must have dozed off, because she woke to the dip of the mattress as Nick climbed into the bed behind her and gathered her in his arms. Pugsly jumped onto the foot of the bed. Happiness seeped into all her empty spots as she snuggled into Nick. His warm breath slid over her skin, his leg hair tickled, and his heart beat sure and steady against her back as she whispered, “I thought you wanted space.”
“I do. But I want you in it.”
Chapter Seventeen
NICK WATCHED THE sun creep in through the curtains and spill over the bed where Trixie was sleeping, soft and warm, in his arms, with Pugsly tucked against her belly. Nick lay still, waiting for tension to grip him, for the fight or flight instinct to strike. Trixie made a sleepy sound, cuddling in deeper. She smelled sweet and sexy, and last night came back in vivid detail, from her wanting eyes to her sensual requests—I just want to stay still and be in this moment with you…I want you to see me. Hearing that had magnified all his senses. He’d wanted to stay buried deep inside her forever.
And now he ached to be inside her again, but it was the tug of his heart that had his rapt attention. When he’d come back into the house last night, he’d thought she’d gone back to his room, and the sight of his empty bed had torn him up. He’d vowed to do everything within his power to let her in, no matter how scary or difficult it might be. He’d thought a year was a long time to try to keep his feelings to himself, but she’d been crushing on him for her entire adult life. He must have been blind to have missed it. She was so patient with him, giving and tender and still so strong. He was in awe of her.
She stirred and turned in his arms, bringing her sweet face into focus, and he realized fight or flight was nowhere in sight. He felt less stressed than he had in months, like he was exactly where he was supposed to be, and so damn lucky that she was his.
Pugsly gave an annoyed grunt and jumped off the bed.
“You’re still here,” she said sleepily.
“That’s not exactly the reaction I was hoping for, darlin’.”
She smiled and kissed his chin. He loved when she kissed him there, and on his chest, and everywhere else. But it was those unexpected chin kisses that sparked the emotions that were burning through his well-constructed walls.
“I wasn’t sure you’d be here when I woke up,” she confessed. “I’m glad you stayed.”
He felt a pang of guilt, hating that she felt she couldn’t count on him in that way. But how could she, when he’d left her alone after they’d been more intimate than ever before? He was bound and determined to fix that. “I’m sorry about leaving you alone last night.”
“Don’t be. You explained why you went outside. I get it.”
He nuzzled against her neck. “But you shouldn’t have to.”
“Well, you’re here now, and you could have gotten up. I’ll take that as a win.”
“Trust me, no part of me wanted to leave you this morning.” He put his hand on her ass, pressing her against him so she could feel what she did to him. Her eyes brightened, and he said, “Do you have to get ready to run with Travis?”
“Nope. He picked up April last night for the weekend, so he can’t run for a few days.”
“Mm.” He kissed along her cheek to her ear. “Does that mean I get you all to myself this morning?”
“Yes. I was thinking that after you’re done working with your horses, and I’m done working with Alfie and Annabelle, and we pick up Buttons and Prince and get them situated, I could practice my pitch for my meeting with Jordan on you.”
He rolled her onto her back and moved over her. “I see how this is gonna go.” He kissed her neck. “I thought you said all women didn’t want to tell men what to do.”
“I’m not telling you what to do. I’m…” She bit her lower lip, grinning like a fiend.
He arched a brow. “You’re…?”
“Suggesting.”
“Nice try, darlin, but I’m onto you.” He tugged up her shirt and moved down her body. “First you reel me in and get me to claim you in public.” He dragged his tongue over her nipple, earning a sexy moan. “Then you start making my schedules.” He moved lower, showering her stomach with openmouthed kisses, and more sinful sounds fell from her lips. “And then you start telling me what to do.” He tickled her ribs.
She shrieked, trying to roll out of his reach. “I am not!”
“Sounded to me like you were.” He tickled her again.
“No! Stop!” she said through her laughter. “I’m not!”
He nipped at her belly and tore off her panties. Their eyes connected, and the air caught fire. He kissed his way up her legs, lingering on her inner thighs, making her squirm and moan as he pushed off his briefs.
“Yes. Don’t stop,” she panted out.
He kissed and sucked, and then he tickled her again just to hear her incredible laughter, and she shrieked, thrashing from side to side, trying to escape his tickles. “Don’t try to control me, baby,” he warned.
“Iwon’tIwon’tIwon’t!”
He crawled up her body, soaking up every melodic sound, and lowered his mouth over her nipple. She arched off the bed, moaning and panting, little bursts of laughter bursting out like aftershocks.
“Lord…”
He shifted higher, grinning down at her. “You can call me Nick, darlin’.”
“You’re a fool.” She laughed.
“I’m about to be a very lucky fool.”
As he lowered his lips to hers, she said, “Paybacks are hell, cowboy.”
He was counting on it.
LATER THAT MORNING, Trixie dried the dishes as he washed. She was gorgeous in cutoffs, one of her million belly-baring shirts, and boots. He’d never been one to value leisure time. He was the guy who got up with the sun and got shit done, but he could get used to mornings like this. He hadn’t been completely sure how he’d feel having Trixie by his side every minute, but she made his morning better. He liked waking up with her in his arms, getting lost in each other, playing around in the shower, and having breakfast on the veranda. It had been a damn good morning.