Worth The Wait

“Huh. I like her.”

“I thought you might.” He waited while she yawned, then stood to get the dishes. “You ready to turn in?”

Her heart started thumping hard enough to lay her low again. She slid from her chair, didn’t look at him and said, “After I brush my teeth. Be right back.”

She wasn’t occupied for more than five minutes, and during that time she thought mostly about Hogan, him being so darned nice, so blasted domestic and caring.

Sure enough, when she returned to the kitchen it was cleaned, everything put away. She didn’t see Hogan—then the front door opened and he stepped in with an overnight bag.

While she watched, he stepped out of his shoes and put them by the door.

“Not boots?” she asked, noticing that he wore athletic shoes tonight.

“Only when I ride my bike.” Carrying the small bag, he headed down the hall. “I’m going to grab a shower and brush my teeth, too.” He disappeared into her bathroom.

So he’d assumed she’d want him to stay again? She should just go to bed, go into her own bedroom and close the door. Maybe even lock it.

She didn’t.

She was on the couch, her feet curled up under her, when Hogan emerged. His hair was damp and he wore only shorts, nothing else, and he looked so damned good she breathed deeper and ended up coughing.

“Have you taken your meds?”

Shooting for defensive snippiness, she said, “Yes, Dad.”

Pausing, Hogan grinned. “You know, if I didn’t have a seventeen-year-old son, I might find that game kinky, especially with you being such a brat who could probably use some discipline.” He shook his head. “But with Colt around, it’d just be too weird.”

Heat rushed into her face. “I didn’t mean—”

“I take it you want to visit for a while?” He checked that the front door was locked, then joined her on the couch. “I can manage to stay awake another hour if you can.”

Violet stared at him, at his tanned chest with the inviting warmth, the crisp curling hair, and she fought herself.

Either he read her expression, or he was just that good at knowing women, because he asked softly, “Would you rather just cuddle a bit?”

She took a slow, shallow breath and admitted, “Maybe.” She felt like hell. Cuddling sounded even better than the bath and the pancakes.

He didn’t tease her. In a voice pitched low and soft, he asked, “You want to stay here on the couch, or would you rather get in the bed? I promise to behave either way.”

But could she behave? Even sitting a few feet away, a sizzle of awareness played over her skin. She looked at the couch cushions. The blasted couch was so short...

Without waiting for an answer, Hogan stood. “Tell you what—why don’t I decide?” He scooped an arm under her legs and easily lifted her. “That way, you don’t have to debate yourself so long.”

Giving in, she rested her head against his shoulder. “I might blame you for this later.”

“I’m a big boy,” he said on his way down the hall. “I can take it.”

Oh, she imagined he could take all kinds of things. More and more, she was the weak link, the one unable to stay strong.

In the bedroom, he shoved the door shut with his heel and carried her toward the bed. At first, he just held her. Violet knew he was looking down at her, but she was too cowardly to meet his gaze.

Not this close. Not with his mouth right there and a bed behind her.

It was tempting enough, this easy display of his strength, the warmth of his body and how good he smelled, like soap and sunshine and man.

Letting her ease down the length of his body, he put her on her feet. Casually, as if he’d done so a dozen times already, Hogan untied the belt to her housecoat and, without haste, pulled it off her shoulders.

Keeping her gaze on his bare chest, Violet stood there in another T-shirt, this one oversize so it covered her better, but she knew he could still see her black panties.

Panties that he’d picked out for her.

Putting a finger under her chin, he lifted her face. “You’re okay?”

Breathing became more difficult, and not just because of her illness. “You must think I’m a terrible tease.”

A slow rascal’s smile only made him more appealing. “Definitely a tease. But I understand not wanting to be alone when you feel bad.” He kissed her forehead. “And I’m glad I’m here.”

It didn’t feel like a come-on, like an effort to soften her up so she’d finally give in.

She knew that Hogan had been hurting for a long time. He’d lost his wife, his job, and uprooted his life. For a while there, he’d been about as miserable as any human could be while still functioning and pretending nothing was wrong.

She admired his strength, the way he’d pushed forward instead of giving in to grief. Had he loved his wife a lot? It seemed likely, given they’d been together so long.

Yet she remembered his comment about cheating, lying women. Had he meant one of the random one-nighters he’d indulged? She didn’t think so. None of those ladies had warranted even a second date, as far as she knew.

Testing the waters, she said, “It’s easy to see why you’re successful with women.” His wife, that murky lady who might have hardened him, had to have been a complete fool.

Hogan shook his head. “Come on. Into bed.” He straightened the messed covers and got her settled, then scooted in next to her, covering them only with the sheet.

Until now, she’d been so cold.

But lying next to Hogan warmed her up from the inside out—and he wasn’t even touching her yet.

He stretched out a long arm to turn off the bedside lamp.

She was wondering how this would work, what she should do, when the bed dipped as he adjusted, and he very naturally drew her into his side.

“Comfortable?”

Oh yes. She cleared her throat, but managed only, “Mmm-hmm.” God, he was hot. The entire front of her was snuggled close to the side of him, one strong arm under and around her, keeping her close. She wanted to lift her leg over him, but held herself still instead.

“You don’t sound comfortable.”

“I’ve never slept with a guy before unless... Well, I never have, not without sex first.”

“It’s a unique experience, that’s for sure.”

But he’d been married. Surely he and his wife hadn’t had sex every night. Then again, if she was married to Hogan... Whoa. No. She put the brakes on those thoughts real quick.