“That’s fair, but you know I wouldn’t actually feed him ice cream and tequila, right?” He nodded, and she added, “Maybe I’ll take a long soak in your tub instead. I’m picturing candles, bath bombs, and wine.” Her caramel brows bounced.
Striking a casual pose against the dresser, he leered at her. “And I’m picturingyounaked, your slick little body surrounded by candlelight and bubbles. I’m getting hard over here.”
She reclined on her side and twirled a tress. “Why don’t you come home early, barkeep? I’ll make it worth your while. I’ll even scrub your back.”
His eyes dipped to her rosy mouth and lifted back up to her teasing eyes. He prowled toward her. His clothes landed somewhere near his bag whilehelanded on top of her. The heat from her body seeped into his, thigh to thigh, and his mind took a major detour from his task.
She erupted in giggles. “Aren’t you supposed to be leaving soon?”
“I only need one hot minute.” He licked his way up her neck before taking her mouth. What started as a game quickly turned into something hot and frantic. Jesus, he wanted todevourher. Only she had the power to unleash this primal desperation inside him, and before it could overpower his control completely, he rolled off her and pecked her lips. “I guess I need more than a minute. To be continued.”
She flung her arms above her head and sighed like a diva. “You’re just going to leave me hot and bothered here?”
He pointed his balled-up socks at her. “I’m just as hot and bothered, if that makes you feel any better.”
“It kinda does.” She rolled onto her side once more and winked at him. “I used to have fantasies about you, you know.”
He stuffed everything into the bag.“Usedto? I’m not sure how to take that. Either I’ve blown your expectations out of the water, or you’ve realized that your fantasy was … a fantasy. I’m choosing to believe the first scenario.”
She smirked. “You’re such a man.”
He zipped the bag shut and parked his hands on his hips. “Well, which is it? Are you going to leave me twisting in the wind?”
“The first scenario, of course.”
Unable to stop himself, he leaned down and kissed her again, loving how her mouth fit his. “Ialwaysfantasize about you, babe.”
“Smooth talker.”
“Just telling the truth.”
She followed him down the loft stairs to the living room, where Chance waited, his tail swiping back and forth like a windshield wiper set on high.
“I think he’s excited I’m leaving so he can have you all to himself. Can’t blame him either.” Noah gave the mutt’s head a scratch. “Make sure you take care of the pretty lady who rescued your fuzzy ass, bud.”
At the restaurant back door, Hailey pushed up on tiptoe and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Be careful driving up there, huh? The weather report says we might be in for another winter blast. Let me know when you get there—beforeyou start doing your man things.”
“Man things?”
“Yeah, you know. Drinking like fish, swapping war stories, ogling the pretty waitresses and grabbing their asses.”
“You’re the only waitress I ogle and grab.” He gave her ass a squeeze before resting his hands on her waist and kissing her forehead. “I’ll text you as soon as I’m there. And when I get back tomorrow, I expect some bathtub action.”
“You got it.” She kissed him sweetly. “I love you. Now blow them away!”
God, he loved having her in his corner. “I love you too, babe.”
She waved as he backed out of the parking lot, and he paused to get his fill of the beautiful honey-haired girl standing beside his dog. How had he gotten so lucky? And how could he keep that streak of luck running?
The question looped in his head as he hit Shane’s number. The deputy picked up, and after quick greetings, Noah launched into the reason for his call. “What did you find out?”
“The only clear prints on Hailey’s notes belong to you and her. There are some smudged ones, but I suspect those belong to you also. The noteyougot, however, only has your prints. Someone took precautions.”
“Shit!”
“Do you have any guesses about who’s doing this?”
“Yeah, I do. I think it’s Ursula Jones.”
