Chapter Three
Mike was still feeling light and happy as he showered and dressed for the day. After his encounter with Becca, he was settled for the first time since he’d left the service. Once they’d exhausted each other out in the woods, he’d walked her back to her home, the cottage he had passed on his way for his run. He had actually thought she would stay in the main house, but approved that the Alpha gave her both privacy and protection by providing her with her own space close by.
She explained about the apartment in town but had admitted to staying at the cottage more often than not.
He’d asked about the camera she had been carrying and they’d sat on the porch for over an hour while she’d told him about her career and he’d answered questions about his. He hadn’t wanted to leave her, but she’d tried to hold back yawn after yawn. So he’d finally stood and kissed her deeply. He’d hated going back to his room alone but didn’t think the Alpha would appreciate learning Mike had spent the night with his daughter. The subject would have to be broached eventually, though—Mike had given in to his need to leave his mark on her.
Mike hadn’t been lying when he’d told Becca she wasn’t like any other woman he’d ever met. She was beautiful, strong and fearless. Even after everything that she’d been through, last night she hadn’t hesitated to get close to him as he’d lain there in his wolf form.
She had good instincts.
He stepped out of his room in jeans and a T-shirt and followed the scent and noise coming from the kitchen.
Kenny glanced up and grinned at him when he walked in. “Hey, man! You’re just in time for the best breakfast. That is, if I don’t eat it all before you get from the door to the table!” he said before shoving a huge bite of pancake into his mouth.
Mike smiled and accepted a cup of coffee from one of the women in the kitchen.
“Behave, Kenny, or I’ll put you over my knee!” she said.
Kenny chuckled. “Yes, Mama.”
Mike shook his head but took a seat next to him. The table was covered with dishes, the smells already hitting his stomach, causing his mouth to water. Eggs, sausage, bacon, pancakes, waffles and biscuits.
“Oh, man!” Mike picked up a plate and started to pile it with eggs. “I don’t know when the last time was I saw so much food. Actually I do. This inn in New Mexico had the best food. And they served mainly shifters, so they knew how to pile it on.”
“Wait until you see dinner,” Kenny told him and stabbed his fork into one of the sausage links on the platter.
“I couldn’t eat like this every day,” Mike commented. “I’d weigh four hundred pounds.”
Kenny snorted. A few more people came in and were introduced to him before Alpha Nelson joined them.
“Good morning, everyone,” he greeted the group.
Mouths full, most responses were a nod. Kenny explained that anyone living or working at the main house were invited to every meal. The guards worked shifts so they would eat there at least once a day. It would give him time to meet who he was working with.
They were a friendly group. Only one of the younger men eyed him warily. Todd was seated next to Kenny and kept glancing at Mike. Once the women were done filling the platters and the stoves were turned off, they joined them, and Mike approved of the family atmosphere. He would have liked to have seen Becca there but guessed that since she had her own house, she probably didn’t eat every meal at the main house.
“I would like to take Mike into town this morning. He mentioned he wanted to see the four spots of the fires,” Kenny told Alpha Nelson when the man asked about their plans.
Mike nodded. “I’ve seen the pictures and while they were very good, I would like to get my own impressions.”
“Yes.” Alpha Nelson smiled. “Becca did a good job taking those. Although, it was hard on her seeing the places she’d grown up knowing, burned to the ground.”
Mike hadn’t thought about Becca being the one to photograph all the evidence. He hated that she’d had to do that. But she was indeed talented. No wonder her and Nikki had become such good friends. Mike didn’t understand how either woman was able to look at something and bring it to life through a camera lens. It was artist.
“I want everyone here to give Mike what he needs. Full cooperation.” The Alpha raised his eyes to meet each gaze of his Pack. “This ends soon.”
Every head around the table bounced up and down at the order. Todd grumbled something under his breath, but even with Mike’s superb hearing he didn’t catch it. Kenny elbowed Todd and he grunted. Mike kept his face blank, pretending he hadn’t noticed. Kenny seemed to be good friends with Todd, but Mike would still check him out.
Mike asked a few of the guys present who they thought might be involved in the fires and that opened the talk to a lot of speculation. He noted no one mention they thought it was someone in the Pack. All talk was about outsiders, not that that surprised Mike. No one wanted to believe a Pack member could be responsible. It would be the worst kind of betrayal.
When Alpha Nelson stood and said he had a few phone calls to make, Mike waited until he could catch Kenny’s gaze. He motioned his head to the back.
“I think I’ll take a walk,” he said. “Just let me know when you’re ready to go.”
“Sure thing,” Kenny replied. He eyed the man next to him. “There are a few things I need to take care of.”
Mike took his time strolling around the property. He stayed away from the guest houses and kept close to the side of the Alpha house, appreciating the landscape and impressed with the way the grounds were taken care of.
He passed several young men who looked like they were heading into the main house. Mike nodded in greeting but didn’t stop to talk.
When he reached the front of the house, he paused.
Becca was getting out of a black SUV. She had her phone up to her ear and was talking while waving her free hand around dramatically.
Mike watched, intrigued by the woman who had captured his attention so fast.
His breath caught when he saw Becca had noticed him, and smiled. She said something into the phone before taking it away from her ear and dropping it into her bag.
She sauntered up to him, grinning the entire time.
“Well, hello there, handsome,” she greeted.
Mike couldn’t help but smile down at her. “Becca.”
He crowded into her personal space and was pleased when she didn’t back away but instead pressed closer. She tilted her head and he caressed the side of her neck. Right over the bruise he’d left with his mouth. It felt hot, which turned him on.
“Good morning,” he told her.
“Would have been better if I’d woken with you next to me,” she said with a pout. “It was lonely waking all alone. No one to give me a proper start.”
Mike leaned down a breath away. “I know.” He didn’t give her a chance to say anything more. Instead he pressed her lips down onto hers. She rose up and opened for him. He dived deep, stroking her tongue with his and locking their lips together. His cock hardened and pressed against the zipper of his jeans. Moaning into her mouth, he had to pull away before he took her down to the ground again.
Her face was flushed and she put a hand to her heart. “Jeez,” she murmured.
Mike couldn’t have said it better himself. Hell, he wasn’t sure he could say anything.
“I stopped by to see my dad before I went into town but that kiss… Maybe I can be late.”
He laughed. “I’m waiting on Kenny. We’re heading into town ourselves. I want to look at the four sites.”
She stepped back, frowning. “I still can’t believe this. Or figure out why we were targeted. There are more important Packs than ours.”
He raised an eyebrow, but slipped his arm around her shoulder. “We’ll get to the bottom of it. But I think bringing in the tourists and having it known that this was the first community for shifters is the deciding factor.”
“So this is our fault?”
“No,” Mike said. “It actually gives a clue.”
“How?”
“Whoever is doing this doesn’t know the history or ranks of Packs. We were concerned this group would target the council. But if they’re going after what the news is releasing, we can get ahead of them. If any of them slip through our fingers, we’ll have an idea where they’ll go next. We can make a plan.”
Becca’s shoulders relaxed. “That’s the best news I’ve heard in weeks. I’d much rather go on the offense than stay on the defense.”
“We will.” Mike pulled her into a hug.
She let him hold her close for a few moments before she sighed. “I do need to be going. I’ll see you tonight, then?”
Mike nodded. “Oh, you can count on that.”
She smiled up at him, but it wasn’t the one he was used to. This smile was more strained. “I hope you find something. We can’t keep living like this. Wondering what will be next.”
“It’ll be okay,” he assured her.
She kissed his cheek and stepped away. “I’d better go.”
He watched her cut across the grass to open the front door. She glanced back one last time before disappearing inside. Mike was hard again and didn’t want to meet up with Kenny in that state. He thought of every unsexy thing he could think of until his cock started to relax in his jeans.
He had some calls to make himself.
He dialed RJ first.
“Hello,” RJ answered, out of breath.
“Bad time?” he asked, once again reminded how much RJ enjoyed his new mate.
RJ laughed. “I was running on the treadmill. Get your mind out of the gutter.”
Mike chuckled. “Nikki’s not home?”
RJ sighed. “No, she left this morning to go to Texas. She’s doing an article on the recovery efforts from the hurricane.”
No wonder RJ was working out. “Well, I hate to hear you have to do without your woman for a few days,” Mike teased. “But I need your help.”
“Thank God! I am so bored I was about to ask Ben and in if they needed help painting.”
Mike snorted. “Manual labor?”
“Yeah.”
“Okay, well, here’s what I’ve got so far…”
RJ listened to everything before he sighed again. “I’ll call Brandon and have him run the names.”
“Okay.”
“Then I’ll call Casey and see if they have heard anything.”
“That’d be good. For some reason, even with Zach being the Prince of the felines, he sure does know a lot about the wolf world.”
RJ laughed and agreed. “I’ll give you a call when I get something back.”
“Tell Brandon to email me whatever he finds,” Mike instructed.
“You got it, man. Take care.”
Mike pressed the End button and thought about calling Nikki. He decided to wait until he had more time and privacy. He was certain Nikki would know what Mike could do to impress Becca. Her likes and needs. He was going to do more than have sex with her. Mike was going to court her. Old-fashioned, yes, but they had a real opportunity this time.
It had been his mistake not to get her phone number before. Mike would make up for that. He was free enough to come visit her. Plus, his parents requested his presence more and her Pack was on the way. There was a chance they’d make something work between them.
He might not be ready to settle down like his friends, but Becca was worth doing more than rolling around with.
The front door opened and Kenny jogged out. He spotted Mike and waved before motioning to one of the trucks parked close by. Mike swiftly made his way over to the vehicle. As soon as they were shut inside the vehicle, the obvious and strong scent of another wolf surrounded him. Kenny started the truck.
Before Mike could say anything, Kenny spoke. “I won’t ask why you smell like Becca if you don’t ask about Todd.”
Mike shrugged. It was none of his business. Plus, Casey and Zach were together and had been for years and he loved both men. RJ’s brother and Nikki’s brother were also living together and very happy. It didn’t bother him if Kenny and Todd had a relationship.
There was no question that Todd had marked Kenny with a ‘keep away’ warning to Mike. So, Todd was a little possessive. He couldn’t find fault with that, either.
Mike chuckled. “I bet he feels better now.”
Kenny barked out a laugh. “Yeah. Yeah, he does.”
They didn’t say anything else on the subject. Instead, Kenny filled Mike in on the town. They drove through the downtown district and Mike saw signs welcoming tourists and the bright, flashy décor. It was happy and inviting. They went farther until they got to a burned structure that had been taped off. The first stop was the community center, the site of the latest fire. As Kenny filled him in on what the center was used for, Mike studied the area. It had been a big chance to go after the center. It was only twelve blocks until they reached downtown where all the hotels and businesses were.
He and Kenny opened their doors and stepped out into the cool air. The smell of fire still hung heavy around them. Kenny told him what they’d found when he’d arrived as part of the fire station crew.
“You’re a fireman, too?” Mike asked. That was impressive. He was beginning to like the guy. Not in a way to upset Todd. He had his hands full with Becca.
“Yeah.” Kenny grinned. “I like my position for the Pack, but I love being a firefighter. It’s what I always wanted.”
Mike nodded. He moved closer to the building and investigated as well as possible. He would have preferred to be in his other form but that would have to wait until not so many people were around. Maybe he could come back at night. Or maybe someone already had?
“Anyone shift here?” he asked.
“Too risky,” Kenny responded. “The tourists want to see a wolf, but our Alpha isn’t going to put on a show for them. He says no one will get in trouble if we’re caught in our other form, but we are not freaks. No one gets us to make us feel that way.”
“The more I learn about the Alpha and Pack, the more I approve.”
Kenny laughed. “I’m glad to hear you approve. I haven’t traveled as much as you, but I understand how other Packs are run. I think things are about perfect here. Or they were before all these fires started happening.”
“It’ll be again,” Mike promised.
Kenny glanced around nervously.
Mike tensed. “Something wrong?”
“Do you…do you think it might not be humans?”
“How do you mean?” Mike asked.
“The threatening letters are getting to my Alpha. What if it’s another Pack trying to take over? Their leader might not be strong enough to challenge my Alpha so they’re trying to run him off?”
“That’s… That’s actually a smart question,” Mike praised. “I hadn’t thought about it that way.”
“It’s one of the reasons that I’m worried about Becca. Everyone knows how much Becca means to our Alpha. If someone wants to hurt Alpha Nelson, Becca is the way to do it.”
Mike growled. Kenny had a fucking point. “I can look into it.”
“How?”
He grinned. “I know some pretty powerful people who owe me some favors. I’ll figure this out. In the meantime, let’s keep this discussion between us.”
“Please.” Kenny nodded. “I don’t want to add any more worry to the Alpha if I’m wrong.”
Mike wasn’t sure of Kenny was right or wrong. It worried him, though. Another Pack would know exactly how to hurt the Alpha. Becca was in real danger. “Where’s Becca now?”
“She’s safe,” Kenny said. “Todd is following her. He’ll call if anything looks suspicious.”
“Good, let’s get this done then.” He crouched down to study the area again. How the people responsible could have gotten in and an escape route. He could almost see it. “I’ll come back tonight.”
“Are you sure?”
“If it’s safe. I’m good at sulking around.”
“Okay,” Kenny agreed. “Whatever you need.”
He motioned for Kenny to follow him back to the truck to go to the other locations.
By the time Mike and Kenny had finished surveying all the sites, meeting with the arson investigators and police, and were seated at a booth at the local diner, Mike had a good idea that whoever was involved were not professionals.
Kenny shook his head when Mike shared that thought. “But how are they getting away with it then? No one ever saw them.”
“They have to be getting help. I’m sorry, Kenny, but someone from the Pack has to be involved.”
Kenny sighed and his shoulders slumped.
The waitress came by and refilled their coffee mugs. While she was at the table, Mike studied Kenny. He was attractive—tall, and, while not as broad and muscular as himself, he had a good, steady form. His blue eyes were a crystal-clear light color and his brown hair was a little long, so it curled around his ears and neck. He could see why Todd was attracted to him and why he’d wanted Mike to know.
But all Mike wanted was the dark-haired beauty he’d spent the night before with.
Kenny kicked his shin and Mike jerked and glared at him.
“I said we have company,” he repeated.
Mike glanced over his shoulder and saw Todd walk in with Becca. She had her arm through Todd’s and was laughing at something he said. Mike felt a growl rumble in his chest.
Kenny started to chuckle. “I see Todd’s not the only jealous wolf in the room.”
Mike kicked Kenny back but couldn’t hide the smile that broke free. Kenny was right. Becca and Todd wove through the crowded restaurant until they were at the booth. Becca dropped down beside him and grinned.
“Funny running into you two here,” she commented with a wink.
“Yeah, especially since I texted you and told you where we were,” Kenny said with a raised eyebrow.
“Like Todd wouldn’t have been able to find you anyway,” Becca teased.
“I don’t think we’ve formally been introduced,” Mike said. “Mike Jackson.”
Todd reached across the table and shook his hand. “Todd Wilkins.”
Mike released his hand and put his arm around Becca’s shoulders. She pressed close to him. Todd looked between the two of them several times. “Well, damn it.”
And even Todd had to laugh with everyone else when he realized he didn’t have any reason to be jealous.
Kenny patted his arm and kissed the side of his neck. “I told you, babe.”
Todd waved the waitress over. “I hate you all,” he said but was grinning ear to ear.
Dinner was good. The food—chicken-fried steak, mashed potatoes and coleslaw—reminded him of the bed and breakfast he stayed in while he’d visited friends in Coyote Bluff. He would have to go for a run tonight to work off breakfast and dinner. He couldn’t keep eating like this. RJ always joked that they’d skipped so many meals while being out at some secret location that they should be able to eat whenever or whatever he wanted. But Mike had noticed that while RJ might say that, Nikki kept him eating healthier than RJ would let on.
That was what being mates was all about—taking care of one another.
Becca and Todd bantered across the table as Mike finally came up for air. He took a long drink of his coffee and leaned back. He was comfortable here. Settled. There were not very many places he felt he could relax, that didn’t leave him feeling an itch between his shoulder blades that made him want to reach for the service pistol he no longer carried. He didn’t want to lose the feeling either, so long he had searched for a way to feel comfortable in his own skin again.
When talk about the fire made the way into the conversation, he could sense the sadness coming from Becca. He ran his fingers through Becca’s thick hair. She sighed and leaned in to his touch. Movement to the side drew his attention.
He looked over at one of the officers he’d met earlier in the day. The man smiled in passing.
Yeah, it was a pretty great community.
“You ready to get out of here?” Todd asked Kenny. “I need to stop by the firehouse and pick up a few things.”
Kenny looked at Mike. “You done with me?”
Todd growled, which made Mike grin. He ran his thumb over the fading mark on Becca’s throat. Damn shifter healing. It would be gone in a few more hours.
“I’ll let you freshen it up,” she whispered.
“Go.” Mike waved at Kenny. “Go away.”
Kenny laughed before pushing Todd out of the booth. Mike didn’t take his gaze off Becca.
“We should all go.”
“Yes,” Becca agreed. “That sounds like a plan.”
Becca shivered in the cool night air. She only had jeans and a T-shirt on. She’d forgotten the light jacket she normally carried when she’d left the house earlier that morning. Her mind had been on other things. Like getting to see Mike again.
Mike followed her to her SUV. “Cold?”
She glanced back at him. “Yes, but I think you can warm me up.”
Becca laughed when he reached for her and she jumped away. She hit the Unlock button on the key she carried to the Tahoe and climbed in the driver’s side as Mike opened the passenger door. They closed the doors and were quickly surrounded by darkness. She scooted to the edge of her seat, at the same time he reached for her. Their lips met and she moaned into his mouth. This was what she had been waiting for all day. What she had needed. Becca slipped her hands under the hem of Mike’s shirt. His skin was hot and smooth.
He broke away, panting. “What I want to do to you can’t take place in the parking lot of a diner,” he informed her.
She laughed. “My apartment is only a couple blocks away.”
“Well…what are you waiting for?” he asked.
She shook her head and with a trembling hand put the key in the ignition. She drove as carefully as she could. It wasn’t easy with Mike’s hand busy moving from her breasts to cup her pussy. Becca still had her clothes on, but she could swear she felt his touch burn her flesh.
“We’re here.” She pulled into her parking space at the edge of her staircase. The apartment was behind the bakery. A remodeled garage loft that had once been the owners’ son’s place and that they now rented out. She wasn’t sure if she would renew her lease when it expired a few months down the road. Oh, she loved the little place, but she spent most of her time at her cottage. The cottage was home.
Becca yanked her seatbelt off and lunged for Mike. He met her halfway so they were in each other’s arms once again. She needed him. Burned for him. It hadn’t even been twenty-four hours and she wasn’t sure how it had happened, but she had become addicted to Mike Jackson’s kisses and touch.
“Inside,” Mike whispered. “We need to get inside.”
She tore herself away and nodded. “Come on.” Becca led Mike up the stairs and unlocked the door. She pushed it open and grabbed Mike’s hand, pulling him forward.
Once he was inside, she slammed the door closed and pushed him against it.
She attacked his mouth once again. He obviously wasn’t complaining since he tightened his hands he had buried in her hair. Becca nipped his lower lip before she started to nibble her way down. He raised his arms and helped when she pushed his shirt off his chest.
She traced the tattoo over his left pectoral. It was a detailed tattoo with two wolves, a black puma, a bobcat and a hawk. “I saw this last time. You usually distract me before I can ask about it. What’s it mean?” she asked running her fingers over the ink. “It’s wonderful, so detailed and lifelike.” She’d never seen such detail before.
“That’s me and my brothers, the unit I was in,” he managed.
Becca grinned—his mind wasn’t on his tat. He had more pressing matters.
He hissed as she popped open his button and slid the zipper down. She reached into his boxers and pulled out his hard cock. He moaned and she dropped to her knees. She pushed and yanked his pants and boxers down his legs and removed his boots and socks.
Once she had him naked, she looked up at him. Mike was leaning back against the front door, his head down as he stared at her.
She gripped his erection and jacked him a few times. He moved his hips.
“Please, baby, please.”
She loved the begging. She bent her head and licked at the moisture escaping from his slit.
He hissed fisting his hands at his side.
She kissed and licked some more before sliding her mouth down his hardness.
Mike gripped her head, although he didn’t direct her in any way, held on as she moved her mouth over him. He pumped gently into her mouth, but she didn’t want gentle. She wanted to feel him lose control.
Using her hand and tongue, she increased the suction. She enjoyed the hardness against her tongue, the salty essence she got small tastes of. With her free hand, she caressed his muscular thigh. He shook under her touch.
“Good, so good, baby,” he murmured, thrusting harder.
She encouraged him with a hum and he started to rock into her faster.
It wasn’t long before he was grunting and gripping her hair harder. “Gonna…”
He was warning her. She could let off now if she wanted. She didn’t want to, though. She hummed again and he stiffened before releasing into her waiting mouth. She relaxed her throat to take all of him that she could.
She gave his cock a few more licks before pulling away and sitting back on her heels.
“God, you’re beautiful,” he praised and reached for her.
He helped her stand before his lips closed over hers. She opened her mouth and he swept his tongue inside and tasted himself. When he bent down and lifted her, she wrapped her legs around his waist and held onto his shoulders.
“Bedroom?” he asked.
“Right behind you,” she told him.
He carried her into the dark cool room and closed the door behind them. Mike undressed her slowly, taking time to kiss and caress every inch of her skin. By the time she was naked and they’d fallen onto the soft mattress, she was more than ready for him. He covered her with his body, sucking on her neck. The same spot that he’d concentrated on the previous night. That seemed to be a thing, marking her. Becca hoped it was something that he always wanted to do. She’d wear it proudly.
Becca bucked up against him.
He chuckled into her skin. “Impatient.”
She moaned. “Don’t tease.”
As he ran his hands over her body, learning and caressing, she hummed in approval. She wasn’t thin but didn’t consider herself overweight, either. She was a happy size fourteen and proud of her body. Mike seemed to appreciate her curves just fine.
When she couldn’t stand it anymore, Mike finally trailed his fingers down her stomach to her pussy. She was wet for him and his digits slid inside easily.
She rode two fingers as he pumped them. As good as it felt, it wasn’t enough. “Mike…”
“Yes, baby,” he said and finally…finally pushed her legs wide and positioned himself.
He plunged inside and Becca arched. “Yes…yes.”
“Yes,” he repeated. He rode her hard, grasping her hips as he thrust deep.
Skin slapping against skin echoed around the room. She met each and every frenzied move. It was wild and hard and what she wanted. This was what being with another shifter meant. Mike could be as rough as he wanted and all Becca could do was demand more.
As good as it was, she couldn’t help but grasp at the peak of completion. “Mike, I need—”
He pulled out, making her cry with the denial. No, no, no. Becca tried to grab at him, but he flipped her over onto her hands and knees.
“I’ll give you what you need,” he said. With a low, long growl, he plunged back in.
Becca shouted as pleasure swamped her. Several more hard thrusts and she was calling his name into the dark room.
Her body milked his cock. She made sure to tighten every muscle she could control.
He grunted then threw his head back. One last time, Mike buried himself deep and let go.
Warm seed filled her and she sighed. Her arms were trembling, so she let herself drop down. Marked again. This was becoming a habit. One she hoped continued.
They lay there for several long minutes, Mike’s heavy body pressing her into the mattress. It felt right. He brushed the hair off the back of her neck with a gentle hand before kissing her flesh. His lips were warm. She was hot.
She was also confused. This was more than another roll between the sheets. Now she knew who Mike was, Becca was going to have to deal with feelings that she wasn’t ready for. She didn’t think Mike would be, either. Except Becca couldn’t watch him walk away again. Or had it been her? One of them had.
There was so much they needed to talk about. Becca didn’t want Mike to learn about her past from anyone else but her. She wasn’t looking for a mate. Men got nervous when they thought a female was.
Becca wasn’t in love. The word yet bounced around her head, though. She’d been in love once before. At least that was what she had thought it was at the time. And she’d almost let the pressure from family and friends, the Pack, push her into a mating ceremony.
Kurt had stopped the madness before it had gotten that far. Although it had broken her heart when he’d left her, she understood now why he’d had to go.
If he hadn’t, she wouldn’t have had this chance with Mike—this big, scary, exciting chance.
Becca rolled onto her back when Mike moved off her. She glanced up into his warm eyes. He was so handsome.
Mike dropped his forehead against hers and breathed.
Becca smiled. This was something she was glad she hadn’t missed.
Mike peppered kisses across her nose and cheeks before groaning as he lifted himself up.
“Shower?” he inquired.
She waved in the direction of the bathroom.
“Tired?”
“Comfy,” she corrected, hugging the pillow to her. “Hurry and come back to bed.”
The bed shifted as he stood. Becca turned back to bury her face into the pillow. She was almost asleep when Mike’s weight was back on top of her.
She wiggled her ass under him and felt him start to respond. He cupped her hips.
“None of that,” he said, bending to kiss the back of her neck. “Time for sleep.”
“’Kay,” she mumbled, already sinking again.
He laughed and moved off to her side. She picked up the sheet and let him slip underneath. When he pulled her close, she settled against him. He made a better pillow, anyway.
She laid her head on his chest and wrapped an arm around his waist, content and happy.