It was Max who broke the prolonged silence. “War is nothing like the movies,” he said softly. “People die for real. It’s…it’s ugly.”
He covered the hand on his chest and squeezed. “I don’t want tonight to be spoiled by bringing that up right now. But I will tell you. All of it. Or as much as you want to hear.” His hand tightened. “But not tonight. Okay?”
She nodded and tried to think of something to bring back the blissful mood. “I can tie a cherry stem in a knot with my tongue.”
“…Oh yeah?”
“Uh-huh.” She raised her head slightly and looked at him. “One of my many talents.”
“That a fact?” He pulled her on top of him and ran his hands down her back and over her hips, cupping her bottom.
“Play your cards right, and I’ll show you.”
He groaned. “You’re killing me.”
“You complaining?”
“Not on your life.” His last words were smothered against her lips.
Sweet and tender, it was a kiss to remember for all time.
Max pushed back gently. “But I really should leave. Anna came in a long time ago.”
She jerked back. “She did? I never heard her.”
His charming, self-satisfied grin was sexy as hell.
“You were—busy.”
“Well, if I was busy, so were you.” She tapped his chest with her finger. “How did you hear? Was I boring you?”
His chuckle made her bounce on his chest, and she found that mildly erotic.
“Hardly. I’m trained to multitask.” He rubbed his hands on her backside and gently squeezed. “You have a great ass.”
She stared a moment, finding his remark oddly endearing. “Is that supposed to be an example of multitasking?”
“Maybe.”
She stretched out along the length of him, marveling at how well they fit together. “Now that I think about it, you are able to do several things at one time.”
In one smooth move, she was on her back looking up at him.
“Keep that up, and I’ll never get out of here.”
“Like I’d complain.”
“You have to work tomorrow. And you have company.”
Heat rushed to her face as she recalled her rather active life the last few hours. “Oh dear. Do you think she heard us?”
He snickered. “Probably.”
She gasped.
He kissed the tip of her nose. “Relax. I’m sure she was exhausted from dealing with Logan and slept through it all.” He looked around the room. “Maybe. Where are my clothes?”
She donned her robe and helped gather his things, then sat on the edge of the bed. The intimacy of watching him watch her as he dressed was one thing. The sense of fulfillment she experienced was another and totally astounded her.
When he was done, he pulled her up and kissed her again. “Go back to bed. I’ll see myself out.”
“Will you be over for coffee in the morning as usual?”
“Better see how the natives are first.”
“Oh. Yeah. Right.”
One more extended embrace, and he left, closing the door softly behind him.
Sleep was a long time coming, but when it did, it was the deep, pleasurable slumber of a very satisfied lover.
Sky woke to sunlight streaming in the bedroom window. She yawned and stretched, then pulled Max’s pillow to her chest, inhaling the tangy aroma that lingered. The smile of contentment vanished in a heartbeat when she saw the time. Seven o’clock. She hadn’t slept that late in forever. And she had a guest in the house.
She rolled out of bed and took the fastest shower on record. She left her hair wet as she hurriedly dressed and headed for the kitchen.
Anna sat at the table, a cup of coffee in front of her.
