“Pretty sure Ranger is trying to cross his poor paws,” Sadie said, walking into the room.
Shit, right. The dog.
He gave her a quick walk-by kiss on the nose because if he went anywhere near her mouth, they’d have missing time and Ranger’s mess to clean up. A quick glance out the back door told him nothing was amiss, so he let the whimpering dog outside. While Ranger did his business, Dale stood watch on the back deck and surveyed the area closer.
For a brief moment, the air held a faint crackle, but it dissipated a moment later. In fact, it was so fleeting, he chalkedit up to his imagination. Sadie’s yard, as well as both of her neighbors’ yards, were clear.
The sound of a door opening had his attention turning to the back of Sadie’s house.
“Coffee’s done,” she informed with a smile. “Come on, Ranger. It’s time to eat.”
The cattle dog stopped sniffing flowers and sprinted straight inside the house. Dale followed, debating if he should scold the woman for opening the door and exposing herself to danger or let it go.
Deciding on the latter, he entered the house, shutting and locking the door behind him.
“Have a seat,” she said, motioning to the island stools. “I’ll get us some coffee.”
Doing as instructed, he settled down and enjoyed the view.
The morning sunlight streamed through the kitchen windows, casting a warm, golden hue over everything. He watched as Sadie poured two mugs of coffee, moving with a quiet grace, a soft smile on her lips, and her hair pulled up in another messy bun he found sexy as hell. The simple domesticity of the moment filled him with a warmth he never expected to feel.
But he did. Because of this woman.
Today, she wore a pink T-shirt with “Craftiness is Happiness” on it. For him, Sadie was happiness.
“Sleep well?” she asked, setting their mugs on the counter before sitting next to him.
“Better than I have in years,” he replied, holding her gaze. “You?”
A blush filled her cheeks and messed with his pulse. “That was the best sleep of my life,” she admitted. “Actually, it was the best night of my life.”
Basking in her beauty and her words, he smiled. “Mine, too.”
“Good,” she said, her blush deepening.
Dale sipped his coffee, savoring more than the fresh brewed taste. He was savoring the moment. No drama, no danger…no company. Just the two of them and coffee. “I think you might be the best part of my morning routine now.”
Her eyes sparkled as her lips turned upward at the corners. “Well, if that’s the case, I’ll make sure to have coffee ready for you every day.”
His chest swelled. The sensation was new but welcome. He set his mug on the counter and reached out to gently brush a strand of loose hair behind her ear. “I could get used to this, Sadie. Waking up with your gorgeous, naked body draped over me, sharing quiet moments like this…”
“Me, too.” Her smile softened, and she placed a hand over his, giving it a squeeze. “Most definitely.”
Dale cupped her face and leaned in to brush her mouth with his, holding his instant desire at bay, determined to kiss the sweet woman gently and slowly and not let it get out of hand. Of course, their bodies had different plans, because she made a sexy sound and pressed closer, sliding her hands into his hair before grazing his lip with her tongue.
He grunted and tipped her face for a better angle as his tongue met her wicked one.
An instant later, Ranger began to bark and bounded for the front door.
They broke apart a second before a knock sounded at the front door.
Shit.
Dale sucked in air, working to get his body back under control.
“Those guys have the worst timing,” Sadie muttered between breaths.
He agreed.
