I must have fallen asleep, because the next time I blinked my eyes open, it was morning and I was in the bedroom. I barely blinked twice before I realized Will was snapping a picture of me.

I managed to only pull the cover up to my nose because Will was sitting on it, at the edge of the bed.

“Hell no. You aren’t taking pics of me in the morning.”

Will grinned lazily. “I already did. Also one where you were asleep and were holding both pillows under your head.” 

“I demand you delete them.”

He leaned in and bit gently on the back of my hand. “Make me.” 

Shucks, I couldn’t keep up with him seconds after waking up, but I did think I could pull off a distract-and-snatch move.

The first part of the plan played out without a hitch. I lowered the cover and showed him a nipple. Like the boob man he claimed to be, his attention immediately shifted there. The second part of the plan failed miserably. Will realized I was going to launch myself for his phone the second I moved. He threw it on the armchair opposite the bed, then attacked me. He somehow managed to pin me against the mattress.

“I misjudged your skills, Detective.” Why was I breathless? Oh, yeah. Because he was shirtless, and his chest was almost touching mine.

“You need a lesson, Paige.”

I swallowed. “Oh?”

“Yeah. You should know what happens when you provoke me in the morning.”

“And what is that?”

By way of answering, he yanked the cover away completely and nudged my thighs apart. He moved on the bed until he positioned his mouth between my legs and nuzzled my clit with his nose, dipping his tongue inside me.

Holly hell! On pure instinct, I wanted to roll my hips into him, but Will stopped me. Instead, he slid his palms under my ass, lifting it up in the air for better access. And then his mouth was everywhere. On my clit. Pulling my folds between his lips. Biting my ass cheeks, then nipping at my clit before plunging his tongue inside. I shattered completely, calling out his name, pulling at the sheets. 

“What a way to start my morning,” I murmured as Will kissed up my body. “Why can’t every day start like this?”

“I have a simple solution for that. Sleep every night at my house, and you’ll have me every morning.”

I expected to find him grinning, but I realized he meant it. “You really want me at your house every night?” I asked, holding my breath.

His face was level with my neck now, and he kissed along my collarbone. “I love having you with me, Paige. I miss you on the nights we’re not together.”

“I miss you too,” I admitted. “I’d love to say yes, but... are you sure?”

Will pulled back to look at me. “Why would I be asking if I weren’t sure?”

“Heat of the moment?” I suggested.

“You’re the one who had an orgasm, sweetheart. My mind is all clear.”

“Well then, Will Connor. Get ready to share your bed with me every night.”

––––––––

We enjoyed our breakfast while basking in the sun. We were sitting side by side at the wooden table.

“Where did you go just now?” Will asked.

I blinked, shaking my head. “Got lost in my own head. What you said about flipping the properties got me thinking... what if I turned Grandma’s inn into an education center instead of selling it? I’d have to buy out the rest of my family because they need the money. That’ll be a little tricky, because I have some savings, but not enough. I’ll make an appointment at the bank when we get back, see about a loan. That’ll show my boss that I have skin in the game.”

Will pulled me closer. “I have a proposition. Don’t take a loan. I’d love to be your partner on this.”

I whipped my head in his direction. “Will, are you serious?”

“Hell yes.”

“But... you haven’t even seen the business plan. I mean, this wouldn’t be a business. It would be a nonprofit.”

“I don’t need a plan. I trust your knowledge and your instincts. I trust you.” My heart, which had already been beating wildly, was now in danger of jumping out of my chest.

“I’ll show you a plan anyway. And then if you change your mind, I will understand.”

He pulled me in his lap. “I won’t change my mind.”

“It would be a loan.”

“No, it would not. I want to do this with you, as a team. If we can work together to make each other’s dreams come true, well, I can’t imagine anything better, honestly.” 

I was overwhelmed by this big, hunky man who wanted to intertwine his life with mine on so many levels. And I was ready to jump in with both feet. 

“Are we hiking today?” I asked.

“Sure. We can go up to a viewing point and have lunch there.”

He kissed the back of my hand, then turned it palm up and skimmed his lips from the center of my palm to my wrist, where he drew a small circle with his tongue. I bit my lower lip.

“You like this?” he asked wickedly.

“You keep this up, and there will be no hiking.” 

He moved his mouth further up my forearm. Holy hell. Why was this such a turn-on? It was the way he moved his tongue... just barely touching my skin with the tip, teasing me more than anything else. 

We made it out of the house two hours later. The couch had seen some sexy action again, and so had the shower.

“I’ve gotten used to you parading around without a shirt,” I complained, pointing to Will’s white T-shirt. It was molded to his chest, so plenty of muscle was showing, but it wasn’t quite the same. 

Will was half hiker, half detective, looking on guard every time we passed a group. He gave me a sheepish grin when I looked at him pointedly.

“I told you it doesn’t bother me. You don’t have to change who you are for me. I just don’t think you’re truly relaxing, but that’s okay too. I know a few ways to make you relax.”

“Is that so?” he nudged my shoulder playfully.

“Oh yeah. You looked very relaxed this morning.”

He gave my ass a little smack.

“Hey, what was that for?”

“Reminding me about this morning.” He pushed a strand of hair behind my ear, adding, “We’re three hours away from the cabin. Don’t tempt me.”

“How about last night? Can I remind you about that?”

He pulled back, eyes flaring. His passion for me consumed me. He kissed my forehead, then took my hand, leading me further up the trail.

***

At the end of the week, after a day full of hiking, Will announced he’d made reservations in town. So even though every muscle hurt and I had imagined an evening where I’d soak in the tub—possibly with Will—I dressed up, ready for a night out with my man. Maybe I’d get my bathtub extravaganza anyway later on. I was wearing a knee-length sweater dress with long sleeves and not a very deep V-neckline. But Will stilled when he saw me.

“What? This isn’t sexy.”

“For me it is. Or maybe because I know what’s underneath.” He gave me a quick kiss, but still stroked my tongue, and I shimmied afterward as I worked a red scarf around my neck. Ufff... why couldn’t we just skip dinner?

I realized why when we reached the restaurant. Will had reserved one of the smaller rooms just for us. We were surrounded by candlelight, soft music, and a mix of delicious smells.

“Will....” I didn’t know what to say, but he must have heard the emotion in my voice, because he wrapped his arms around me from behind, tugging at my earlobe.

“It’s our anniversary week, babe.”

The food was delicious, the company even better. How life could be this good, I didn’t know. I’d always liked my life, but this... this was different. It was like I hadn’t known a part of me was missing until Will had come into my life.

After dinner we headed out to the parking lot behind the restaurant. When we reached the car, I realized I’d forgotten my scarf inside.

“I’ll get it,” Will said. “Go inside the car so you warm up.”

He gave me the key, and he went back inside while I unlocked the car. I only had a light jacket on, but my parka was in the trunk, so I retrieved it to keep warm until the car’s heating system kicked into gear.

I’d barely opened the trunk when I sensed something. Someone was behind me. My first thought was Will, but then I realized he couldn’t be back so fast. I stiffened even before I heard the voice.

“Give me all your money and I won’t harm you.” It was a man’s voice. I broke out into clammy, cold sweat. I didn’t have a pepper spray on me, or money. But I didn’t think that would go over too well. “Hand it over.”

“I don’t have any money.”

“Don’t be stupid.”

“Look into my purse. I don’t have a wallet. Just my smartphone.”

With trembling hands, I opened the bag. A hand snatched into it, grabbing my phone.

“In the car, then. There has to be money.”

Could I cry for help? I figured I’d take a blow to the back of my head before that. Fighting back would only infuriate him.

“Let me look in the front. Maybe there’s money there,” I said quietly. And then I felt something sharp pinching my back.

“I have a knife. Don’t do anything stupid.”

Fear and adrenaline spiked my blood, the first overpowering the second. On shaky legs, I moved to the front of the car, my attacker right behind me.

I searched the front, but Will didn’t keep money there.

“No money,” I said.

“I’ll have that pretty bracelet.”

Hell no. Blood was rushing in my ears, adrenaline overpowering fear for a split second. Straightening up, I elbowed the attacker. He yelped, and I heard the sound of metal on the ground. I swirled around.

“You bitch.”

I kicked and pummeled my fists into every bit of flesh I could find, but the man was tall and strong, and the only advantage I’d had was the moment of surprise. Now he was recovering from it and didn’t like one bit that I wasn’t as meek and scared as I’d appeared.

“Paige!”

Will’s voice sounded through the parking lot. The thief whirled around, grabbed his knife, and braced for Will.

“He has a knife,” I shouted, but then Will was on the attacker. I barely saw him move. One punch to the jaw, another to the chest, and the attacker doubled over.

My eyes were on the blade, which was still in the attacker’s hand. He was swinging it blindly. My stomach constricted when he jabbed his hand straight toward Will’s abdomen. Will caught his wrist in midair, then twisted the guy’s arm and immobilized him.

“Paige, are you okay?” Will asked. He was shaking.

“Yes, you?”

He nodded. The next few minutes were a blur. Will only released the guy when the local authorities arrived and took over.

***