Can't Hardly Breathe (The Original Heartbreakers #4)

“Not that,” she said, and snorted. “The other thing. I didn’t get to...you know...taste you.”

He missed a step.

The hand on her butt softened, and he began to rub. “Are you pouting, sweetheart? Damn, that’s hot.” At the door, he set her on her feet. He was smiling his most wicked smile. “You’re right. I didn’t let you have your turn, and that was my mistake. One I’m going to make up to you.” He fished the key out of her pocket and opened the door...only to walk her backward into the room. “We’ll negotiate about the golden milk after you’ve had your turn.” He placed the bag of goodies on her coffee table and slowly lowered his zipper, his smile widening. “Go ahead. Devour me.”

*

DOROTHEA AWOKE WITH a smile. Until she realized Daniel wasn’t in bed with her...wasn’t anywhere in her room or even on the roof. He’d taken off. Why, that dirty piece of—

Oh! He’d left a note, the darling.

Couldn’t sleep and didn’t want to disturb you, but damn, next time you may just have to deal with being disturbed. Leaving is hell. I like you soft and warm against me.

Yours, D.

PS Where’s my golden milk?

She clutched the paper to her chest and sighed. That man. He was everything she’d ever dreamed, but also so much more. But he was hurting himself every time he refused to sleep. She wished she’d worn him out, wanted to give him peace and rest. The way he’d just given her the greatest night of her life.

Her mind replayed some of her favorite moments.

When she’d sucked his length and he’d begged her to take every drop of his climax.

When, in the aftermath, he’d laughingly asked if he tasted better than bacon.

When he’d drawn her a bubble bath and sat behind her, kissing her neck, washing her hair and massaging her back, never once complaining that she wore a swimsuit.

When he’d made love to her while she was bent over the rim of the tub, water sloshing onto the floor, the lights off, per her request.

When she’d curled in bed, exhausted and sore, and he’d fed her aspirin. Then he’d growled, “Can’t get enough,” and seduced her all over again. He’d been gentle that time, almost loving. But he didn’t love her—yet.

Dorothea planned to do everything in her power to win his heart. He wasn’t the only one who liked a good challenge.

She traced the outside of the rose tattoo, and a heavy weight settled over her heart. What if she won his heart, and he wanted to get married...and start a family?

Would he be open to adoption?

Whoa! Slow down. You’re getting waaay ahead of yourself.

Right. She stood on trembling legs and picked up her cell phone. She’d call him, shiver when she heard his sexy voice, then rail at him for leaving her. One way or another, she would help him fight the demons of his past.

New mental note: research PTSD and the best ways to help a partner deal.

If she called, would she come across as clingy? Their relationship was so new, and they hadn’t negotiated any of the particulars. Heck, she was new to this.

Okay. No phone call.

Dorothea brushed her teeth, anchored her hair in a ponytail and donned her favorite tank and jogging shorts.

After her run, she would shower. Maybe Daniel would join her.

Daniel. Her boyfriend.

Her phone released a strange buzz. Frowning, she glanced at the screen.

The words Customers In Lobby flashed over the screen.

What the—

Wait. When Daniel first started working here, he’d mentioned “fixing your security problems as well as your technology problems.”

Dang it, she needed to put a stop to all these good deeds of his. She’d done nothing for him, and if she wasn’t careful, an imbalance would develop. But what could you do for a man who could do everything for himself? Well, besides make him golden milk? And pleasure his brains out.

Dorothea made her way to the lobby to deal with the customers. Her stomach rolled over when she spotted a sleeping Mrs. Hathaway behind the counter and a suit-clad Jazz in front of it.

Oh, crap. He’d warned her. How could she have forgotten?

She should have been prepared.

She wasn’t prepared.

The gorgeous Charity Sparks stood beside him, radiant in red. She was speaking to him, but he snapped a retort, silencing her.

Maybe he had ended things with her.

Charity flushed and faked a smile, as if his reaction was exactly what she’d wanted.

Dorothea was tempted to back out and get her mother to handle the newcomers. But she wasn’t a coward. She’d faced 250 pounds of hard muscle and determination, and she’d won.

Speaking of 250 pounds of hard muscle and determination, she wished Daniel were here for moral support.

I’m smart, strong and—sometimes—confident. I can do this on my own.

She stepped up to the counter and smiled at Jazz. “Hello, Jazz. Charity. How may I help you?”





CHAPTER TWENTY

DANIEL HAD SPENT the past few hours working on the headboard in his dad’s garage. He’d made a lot of progress, but he hadn’t been able to finish because he’d had to limit his use of power tools while Adonis and Echo slept. And farted. Unlike his dad, they weren’t hard of hearing. But he’d had to stay busy. He wanted to be near Thea, but he’d had no desire to thrash and moan about gunfire and death while in bed with her.

When could he have her again? No one had ever felt so good or hot or wet. So...perfect. Never had he come so hard.

He should have stayed with her. Shouldn’t have abandoned her. Shouldn’t have let her wake up alone in the bed they’d shared.

He sucked. He would have loved to see her surrounded by morning light. Would have loved to trace her scars, and pray she told him how she’d gotten them...why she only had a one in a million shot at getting pregnant.

She’d lost a baby, hadn’t she?

He hated the thought of her in pain.

Desperate to see her, he wrote his dad a note and left it on the kitchen table.

I’ll be at the inn. Will you bring Adonis and Echo to me when you visit Anthony? Love you.

He returned to the inn with several pieces of the headboard. No one was up as he carried each one to the theme room. Harlow’s murals were coming along nicely. The colors she’d used on the different seasons were vivid and lifelike. In winter, the snow seemed to glitter as it fell, and in summer, waves seemed to ripple through the river.

“I’ve missed you, Dorothea.”

The silkily spoken words echoed down the hall and gave Daniel pause. So did the affectionate tone.

He stalked into the lobby and found a group of four crowded around the counter. One woman, three men. Mrs. Hathaway was slumped in a chair, snoring. No doubt nothing would wake her.

Daniel came up alongside Thea and wrapped an arm around her waist, glad to have her in reach again. He’d missed her more than he was comfortable admitting.

He kissed her temple and said, “Glad to see you’re still wearing the white polish.”

She trembled against him.