Looking up, he saw Gemma come down the hallway and then hesitate as she saw him waiting for her.

Eddie’s eyes followed her hand as she nervously reached up and tucked a stray piece of hair behind her ear.

“Can I see it?” he asked softly. He had to control his voice because his bear was so loud in his head that it would take just a small slip for her to hear the animal in his voice.

“See what?”

“Your hair – down,” he said.

He watched that sweet blush from earlier steal across her cheeks. It made his cock harden. He wasn’t sure what kind of biological response that was, but it worked for him.

She didn’t say anything, just reached down to the end of her braid and pulled off the elastic tie. Weaving her fingers through the plait, she slowly unwound her hair until it was a long sheet of dark waves.

Eddie crooked his finger at her and was fucking thrilled when she moved towards him. She swept her hair over her shoulder before sitting back down next to him. The second her ass hit the cushion he threaded his hand through her hair. Running it over his palm, he was right – it was soft as silk.

“This is amazing,” he said roughly.

“I know I look like someone who should be living in the desert and happily contemplating life as a fifth wife, but I can’t bring myself to cut it.”

“Why would you cut it? It’s gorgeous,” he said.

“Well, it is heavy and gets in the way. I’ve thought about trimming it. You know – just six or seven inches,” she said jokingly.

“It’s not what makes you beautiful; it just adds to your beauty,” he said thoughtfully.

“Crazy man,” she said, shaking her head at him.

“Crazy about you. So Dash is asleep. You really don’t want to put him in the car this late at night, do you? Imagine how much more rest he would get here. You would rest better, too. Big comfy mattress, clean sheets, and fluffy pillows,” he teased.

“I thought I was going to sleep with Dash?” she reminded him.

“You could. But I already saw Keno sneak in there behind your back. I’m guessing the bed is getting crowded. I have a king-size, lots of room to spread out,” he said, leaning closer to her.

“Will you respect me in the morning if I say yes?” Her breath caught as he came closer. His lips made contact with her throat and she sucked in air.

“I respect you now. Tomorrow? Well, that depends. If you let me make love to you all night, then I’ll think you are the smartest, most amazingly generous woman in the world. My respect for you will stay the same. If you don’t let me spend the next few hours kissing and touching every inch of your sweet body, then you’ll still be the smartest, most amazingly generous woman in the world. I’ll just think that you are incredibly strong willed because I don’t think I can wait another minute to be with you.” Eddie opened his mouth on her neck again and sucked hard. He knew he was going to leave a mark, but his bear demanded it – something to show she was theirs.

“And what happens tomorrow, when I have to get up and take Dash home and go to work? I don’t know how this works,” she said.

“You go to work; Dash plays at Jamie’s. I’m working late, so I will text you and call you tomorrow with the info for the job. I’ll swing by your house and see if you are still home to give you the application. If you aren’t, I’ll stop by the gas station and spend two or three hours loitering to be with you,” he replied.

“We don’t allow loitering,” she informed him.

“Hopefully after tonight you’ll make an exception.”

Gemma thought that was a very good possibility. She felt the tiny voice in her head, the one that she normally kept locked in a room with duct tape over its mouth, whispering to her. She had shut that little voice away because it was her hope. Hope was costly, it wasn’t something she could afford. But somehow that little bastard had gotten loose. Hope was telling her that everything she had ever dreamed of – and never thought possible – was right in front of her.

It would be okay to protect her heart and still take what was offered. Gemma figured that was a very practical thing to do. She couldn’t just move in with him, but she could take an offer to help her find a better job. That would still be her doing it as long as he was honest that he wouldn’t make them hire her.

A better job would mean that no matter what happened with Eddie, she and Dash would be another step towards the life she wanted.

Coming to a decision, she bit her lip as she watched him waiting for her to respond. It was kind of fun to make him wait. Also, she knew that the second she said okay, it was on. Like ON, on.

“You can’t just hang out at my work; you’ll have to buy something,” she said to him, seeing if he’d take the bait.

“I’ll stagger my purchases,” he growled and lunged for her, wrapping her in his arms, his mouth crashing down on hers.

He had taken the bait.

Gemma kissed him back, her hands moving over his shoulders. They were hard and broad, like he could bear any burden. His mouth was hard but incredible. Their tongues tangled, both straining towards each other.

“I’m gonna make you so happy,” he whispered against her mouth as they broke apart to catch their breath.

“We’ll see,” she whispered back.

He smiled at that, a saucy grin that said he took it as a challenge. Eddie abruptly stood and leaned down to scoop her up into his arms.

“What the hell?” Gemma gasped. She had never been picked up by a man in her life. She was pretty sure the last time someone picked her up, she was still wearing diapers.

“Put me down you weirdo, you’re going to strain something,” she gasped.

“Doubtful,” he murmured. He was walking towards the double doors before she could say anything else. He gave the door a shove and walked in, pausing to turn and nudge it closed behind them. Gemma took in the room as best she could; all heavy, dark furniture. His comforter on the huge bed was slate gray – smooth – with no decorative pillows on it. There were matching nightstands and dressers and in the corner a huge ficus tree – the biggest one she’d ever seen inside a house.

“Big tree,” she mentioned.

“Oxygen – good for the brain while you sleep. Hell of a time keeping Keno from peeing on it,” he said, gently laying her on the bed. “Give me one minute,” he said before turning back to the double doors.

He walked out, and Gemma was alone. She stared up at the ceiling and contemplated seductive poses that might look good yet appear natural, but came up with nothing, so she stayed where he left her. She wondered if she was making the right choice and realized that there was no right answer. She was just going to have to follow her feelings. Right now, she was horny.

The door opened again and Eddie came in carrying a small white plastic box. He set it on top of the dresser and flipped a switch. A small red light came on and it buzzed almost imperceptibly.

“You bought a baby monitor?” she said, the shock in her voice clear.

“Yup, I figured he’d be down the hall, and I didn’t want him to get scared if he woke up. I also chained the front door up high so he won’t be able to leave the house without us knowing.”

Eddie said this as he closed the door and locked it. Normally a locked door between her and her baby would freak Gemma out, but Dash walking in on anything they might attempt tonight would probably scar him for life. A little knocking wouldn’t damage his psyche.

Gemma had pushed herself up on her elbows when he came back in. She knew this was not a terribly flattering pose but honesty was important to her. He should know now that she was not a supermodel, and any time her body bent, there would be rolls.

He didn’t seem to notice this as his eyes passed over her; they had that bright glow again. It didn’t scare her anymore, it was intriguing. “Your eyes are amazing. Have you ever had them checked?”

“My eyes are peculiar. You are amazing,” he said, his voice low. He started towards her, pulling off the black t-shirt he was wearing.

Gemma got the first look at beautiful broad muscles covering his chest. There was a small patch of hair that was so blond, it almost looked white. It didn’t make him look old; it made him look hot.

“So, uh…” her voice trailed off. The sight of his chest was causing all sorts of areas on her body, that had been at a light simmer, to boil over. She could feel her pussy getting wet and her nipples tightening. He was the sexiest man she had ever seen. His body looked like it was carved out of granite.

“Wow, you’re fit,” she whispered. “I’m all squishy,” she said, her voice a little dejected.

“I’ll let you in on a secret. There are guys that like fit, and there are guys who like fluff. Some men want muscles under them, and others want soft, curvy flesh. I fall into the curvy category. I want round curving hips, big breasts that I can sleep on, and an ass big enough to hold onto when you are riding my dick. I’m pretty sure you are everything I like,” he said while moving towards the bed. He unbuttoned the top of his jeans and Gemma couldn’t help but let her eyes drop down to his waistband.

Clearing her throat, Gemma offered, “Well, I’ve got the ass all right.” She felt like her throat was a desert, her brain trying to keep up with his words as his body distracted the shit out of her.

He unzipped his pants and she could see the top band of his briefs. She sucked in a breath as he slid his thumbs into the waistband and shoved his jeans and underwear down together. Stepping out of his pants, he toed off his socks and stood back up in front of her. He didn’t move any closer; he just stood there.

Gemma took in the view. His strong stomach with defined muscles arrowed down to his very nicely endowed cock. It was long, thick, and pointing right at her. It had been a while, but she was pretty sure you weren’t supposed to praise a man’s dick outright when you saw it – or should you?

She let her eyes drink in every inch of him, traveling downward to his toes. He had good feet, too. Then she moved back up his body until she reached his eyes.