“And I think maybe I like you.”
He smiled broadly. “You finally admitting that?”
I kept bobbing my head. “Yep.” I ran my hands over his t-shirt, feeling the taut muscles of his chest and abs beneath it.
“That’s good, because I like you, too.”
“Question.”
“Answer.”
“Did I tell you that when I was coming out of anesthesia?”
His eyes danced in the dim light. “You did.”
“Why didn’t you say anything?”
“Because no one should be held accountable for the things they say when they’re not completely in charge of their minds.”
His hands were hot on my waist. I wanted them in several other places. I gripped his shirt. “You should take this off.”
He let out a soft groan. “I would like nothing more than to give you whatever you want, but—”
“No buts,” I interrupted, then reached around to cup the back of his jeans. “Unless we’re talking about this butt. In which case.” I waggled my eyebrows.
He laughed. “But you’re not sober. I can’t take advantage of that. As much as I’d love to,” he planted a soft kiss on my forehead, “it’s bedtime for you.”
I pushed my lips into a pout even as I let him guide me to sit down on the bed. “Bedtime is stupid.”
He kneeled to pull off my shoes and socks, and my center throbbed from the nearness of his mouth. I felt his breath on my knee, and wanted it higher.
He looked up at me, his gaze heated. “Bedtime is necessary.”
“Ugh,” I said, flopping back into the softness of the comforter.
He straightened, taking my ankles in his hand and pulling me gently into sleeping position. Then he leaned over so I was between his arms as his fists pushed the bed down on either side of me. I was surrounded by him, breathing in his oceany scent and drowning in the deep gray of his eyes. He bent down and kissed me, soft and sweet, before straightening his arms once more. “I’d love to help you get ready for bed, but I don’t have that level of self-control.”
I blinked slowly, lulled into quiet by this beautifully thoughtful man. Still surrounded by him and holding his gaze, I cradled his jaw and felt the blond stubble that barely showed. “Thank you,” I said softly.
“For what?”
“Just. Thank you.” I couldn’t say more. My throat tightened.
He bent down and feathered kisses on me, tracing a path across my cheeks, nose, forehead, and eyes, forcing them closed, before lifting off the bed.
I kept my eyes closed as I heard him back away and pick up the lantern. Then the room clicked into darkness. From the doorway, he spoke, his voice low, scraping across my heart.
“Whatever you want, Devon, I’m yours. However, whenever, wherever.”
I opened my lips to speak, but nothing came out.
He turned and left.
18
AARON
I ROLLED OVER and came face to face with Daisy’s brindle face, mouth open, tongue out, breathing some major morning dog breath in my face.
Pretty much the opposite of the dream I’d been having, which involved a naked Devon, with no wired jaw, in my bed, and a night stretching out in front of me.
Daisy leaned forward and licked my cheek, snuffling as she did so.
“I know, I know.” I sat up and got out of the bed. “Good morning and where’s your breakfast.”
Daisy circled and jumped, knowing what came next.
I headed to the kitchen and let her out the back door, then drank a glass of water. Memories of last night warmed my chest. Had all of that really happened? Jaw wired shut or not, she’d been wide open for me. She’d also been drunk, so was it the tequila talking or was she really ready to dive into something?
Through the window above the sink, I watched Daisy race back to the door. I let her in, then fed and watered her.
I wanted this to be different. I wanted Devon to be different. And I was an absolute idiot for it.
I’d planned to spend the day as far away from the firehouse as possible, but that would have entailed me planning ahead and ensuring I had basic necessities like coffee and food at my house. So I got ready, and Daisy and I hopped in my truck, Daisy’s body wiggling with excitement, and we headed to the Daily Dose.
The bell over the door chimed as I walked into a packed shop. I took my place in line, Daisy safely outside accepting pets from passersby, and nodded at the person in front of me. Our little town wasn’t as little as it used to be, but I still recognized most folks. Some of that was the paramedic gig, but most of that was a fact of growing up here.
Jodi smiled brightly at me as I approached. “Fun seeing you last night at Devon’s house.”