“When I saw how competitive you were at board games.”
Her mouth dropped open. “That’s what did it?”
Daniel shook his head. “It was the last piece of the puzzle. You amazed me. I knew before we even spoke that you were kind. It radiates out of you. And then I learned you were funny, enough to make me laugh just remembering the things you said to me.” He pressed a kiss to the tip of her nose. “You’re brave, too. You never back down from a confrontation with me, not just last night, but at work, too. The competitiveness was the cherry on top. It’s what makes you so damn perfect.”
“I’m not perfect.”
“You’re perfect for me. That’s what I’m trying to say. And after that afternoon in the library I was done for. I stopped fighting my feelings.”
“You make my heart soar,” she told him softly. “Not just because you say the sweetest things, but because you’re kind and funny and brave. You’re willing to do things you’re afraid of, to be honest and open and reveal your imperfections.” She stroked his cheek tenderly. “I love you so much I could burst.”
The warmth of her words were like a caress. He leaned toward her, his lips pressing against hers. He curled his hand around her sweet face, angling her so he could deepen the kiss, brushing his tongue against hers until they were both short of breath.
“I’m the luckiest man that ever breathed,” he told her, kissing her again. “Thank you for giving me another chance.”
Becca tiptoed up the stairs, wincing when one of the steps squeaked under her weight. She’d sent Daniel up to sleep hours earlier. He was exhausted after dinner – Aunt Gina’s beef casserole, of course – and she knew he needed to rest. He’d smiled when she told him she had some calls to make, anyway. He was getting used to how chatty her family was. So while he slept she phoned each of her brothers in turn to thank them for being there at the hospital and to give them an update on Daniel.
It touched her heart how they all sent their love to him. Sure, they could be asses sometimes, but she loved those boys.
Daniel’s door opened, and he stepped outside, his hair a sleepy mess. “Are you going to bed?” he asked her.
“Yeah, I was just heading to the guest room. I didn’t mean to disturb you.” She wasn’t sure why she was whispering. Maybe the sight of him bare chested in a pair of black pajama pants took her breath away.
“Sleep with me.” His eyes were soft. “Please.”
“You need to recover.”
He reached for her hand, pulling her toward him. His torso was warm against her body. “I’ll recover better if you’re with me.”
She smiled. “Okay. Give me ten minutes. I need to shower and brush my teeth.”
“Take your time.”
He was laying on the mattress when she walked back into his room, his beautiful, muscled body stretched out on top of the sheets. He rolled over and held out his hand, his eyes warm as he took in her silky nightgown.
“You look so damn gorgeous you drive me crazy,” he told her, his voice rough. She climbed into bed beside him, and he pulled the covers over them, sliding his arm around her waist to pull her body to his. He let out a low growl as he slid his palm down her back, his movement aided by her silken nightgown.
He buried his face in her throat, his lips kissing her skin. “You smell amazing.”
She felt a sharp jab of arousal between her thighs. “Daniel, we can’t. You just got out of the hospital.”
He laughed against her neck. “I’m feeling pretty damn good right now.” He pressed a kiss to her ear. “Thank you for taking care of me.”
“I was expecting more of a fight, to be honest.” She smiled at him.
“Are you disappointed I didn’t give you one?”
“I figure you didn’t have the energy. And there’ll be plenty more fights to be had.” She slid her fingers into his silky hair, and he groaned as the tips massaged his skull.
“Keep doing that and I’ll never fight you again.” He could smell the sweet fragrance of her as she leaned over him. The neckline of her nightgown gaped, and he glanced down at the soft swell of her breasts. His eyes were heavy lidded as he brushed his hand down her side, his thumb feathering her nipple.
“Daniel…” A pulse throbbed at her core, matching the rhythm of his touch.
“It’s okay.” He captured her lips, sliding his hand down further, hitching her thigh over his hip. She could feel his excitement press against her, hard and thick. He kissed her again, swallowing her sigh as he slid his hand inside her nightgown and cupped her breast.
“Daniel,” she was breathless. “You need to rest.”
“Tell my body that.”