He didn’t like the defeatist set to her shoulders and body. He moved his hands over her back and her hair in comfort.
“And you might consider stapling your phone to your shoulder or somewhere you won’t forget it.”
A laugh escaped her and he squeezed. “We’re smart people. We’ll figure out the asshole’s plan and catch him at it. Then you’ll sell your new toy for millions and make him cry himself to sleep every night in prison.”
Tansy leaned back, and her smile showed in the shadows. “Are you always going to call him the asshole?”
“Absolutely.”
She stretched up on her toes and planted a soft kiss on his lips. He forced himself to return it in kind and to not devour her as he wanted.
“Think you can sleep now?” His voice was gruff, but he couldn’t help it.
“Probably. You?”
“It might be easier if I had my arms wrapped around a sexy woman. Stay here with me, Tans. Just to sleep. I promise to be a gentleman.”
“What if I don’t want you to be a gentleman?”
His body didn’t have any other option. As soon as her words registered, he was hard as stone and wearing only boxer-briefs, there was no way to hide it.
“You make me feel like a normal woman, Sam. You make me feel. I want to forget the asshole. I want to forget the worries. I want to lose myself in you.” She reached up and kissed him again. “I want you, Sam. You.”
Sam wasn’t sure if his knees were going to hold up under the onslaught of her words.
As a scientist, Tansy was used to being clear and forthright. Sam had never been so grateful for that skill.
“I want you, too, Tansy. You’re sure?”
“Positive.”
Sam swept her up into his arms, making her laugh as she put her arms around his neck.
He grinned down at her. “LetOperation Forget the Assholecommence.”
Friends With Benefits
Tansy wasn’t used to being so bold in her personal life, but it seemed Sam appreciated the approach. He carried her as if she weighed as much as a TeenySaur.
Instead of moving straight to the bed, Sam held her and watched her with those gorgeous, dark eyes. He did everything with intensity.
While the moonlight was dim, she could almost feel his gaze caressing her.
It had taken her far too long to realize the man was only wearing his boxer briefs. She’d been so wrapped up in her worries.
Then he’d stood. The dim light played over him, making him looking like a warrior from ancient times ready to take on the world.
A conquering hero returning to his woman.
The very idea sent ridiculous chills through her. She wanted him to be her man. Wanted to be his woman.
Forever.
Which was silly. Jumping way ahead of the evidence. Better to live in the moment and experience the present because the present was good.
Very, very good.
“You’re a stunningly beautiful woman, Tansy Cheveyo.”