“I know. And I know you’re hella capable, but you don’t have to do everything alone. Unless that’s what you want.” I paused at the threshold of my house.
She bit her lower lip and her bloodshot eyes went misty.
“It’s okay to need someone.” My voice was hoarse.
She simply nodded and I swept her inside with me. My house was a ranch-style one floor situation. I’d added on to the building a few times to gain more square footage, especially in my bedroom and en suite bathroom.
I worked my ass off when I was home and when I was on the road—I needed a place to rest and to unwind and I’d made sure my space reflected what was important to me.
I walked down the hall to my bedroom. She shivered in my arms. I cradled her closer.
“I’m okay. You just keep it cooler than I do.”
“One of my girlfriends?—”
“You have those?”
I turned enough to get us through the doorway. “Not at the moment, but I have had a few over the years. Cam is more the love ‘em and leave ‘em guy and even he isn’t the manwhore that you probably think we are.”
“I didn’t say that.”
“Didn’t have to, Parker.”
She huffed out a sigh. “I’m not used to anyone picking me up, dammit.”
“Just enjoy it. I sling drywall and wood beams heavier than you.”
She looked around my room, her eyes widening. “Like those? Wow.”
I glanced up at the beams I’d added to the vaulted ceiling. The attic space wasn’t anything to speak of and I preferred a bigger bedroom instead. I could always build out rooms for storage. Being 6’4 didn’t allow for much in the way of headroom unless I created it.
I tried to stamp down the pride, but when she craned her neck to keep looking at what I’d created, even though she was near delirious, I couldn’t stop a smile. I stepped through the pocket door to my bathroom and her gasp made my chest tighten.
“Cash, this is amazing.”
“Thanks. I’ve been working on it for years. I bought this house when I was eighteen.”
“What?” She turned to me, her brow furrowed.
“Yep. It was a damn mess but my old man co-signed it with me. I paid him back within five years.”
Stunned she simply blinked at me.
I leaned in and brushed her mouth with mine then slowly set her on her feet. “There are towels there and the shower is a steamer. Take as much time as you want.”
What I really wanted to do was peel her out of her uniform and follow her in that large glassed-in shower I’d customized for myself. But she needed sleep and I needed a second.
She grabbed my hand and pulled me back toward her. “Don’t go.”
“Parker...”
She whipped her shirt off and my brain short circuited when the sports bra followed. She pulled my hand to her breast and I groaned as I lifted the other to cup its twin. They were made for my hands.
“You should rest.”
“You should touch me.”
I looked up from the pale pink nipple tightening under my palm, then pressed them together and lowered my mouth toward hers only to dip into the valley between her breasts instead. She tipped her head back as I made a lazy trail between each curve, but ignored the tight nipples.
