“She was perfect,” Emma said. “She got along great with Annie and Daisy, running around like crazy in the yard. Though she might think she’s a big dog now.”

He laughed. “She always thinks she’s a big dog.”

He thanked Emma and Luke, then they piled in the truck with Lou and her stuff, stopped off at a pizza place to pick up the order Chelsea had called in along the way, and headed to his house.

Lou had to sniff every corner of the house again to make sure nothing had changed while she was gone. Chelsea set out plates for their pizza, and Bash fixed drinks for them. They settled on the couch and watched some television while they ate.

“Tired?” he asked her.

“A little. It’s a long drive. But I had a great time. I wish we could have stayed longer.”

He brushed his fingers along her arm. “I do, too. But you’re already pretty tan, for a redhead.”

She laughed. “Even with a lot of sunscreen I tan well. That old adage of redheads having fair skin doesn’t really apply to me.”

“So I noticed. Looks good on you.” He leaned over and brushed his lips against hers. “Mmm, you taste spicy.”

“Like pepperoni?”

He laughed. “Yes, like that.”

“It’s like an aphrodisiac for men. Women like sweet things, like cherries or vanilla. Men? If we tasted like beer or pizza, you’d fall in love with us.”

“I don’t know about that. You always taste sweet.” He was about to say that he’d fallen in love with her because she tasted sweet, but he checked himself.

He wasn’t ready yet. He wasn’t sure when he would be—or if he’d ever be ready to make that commitment.

He loved Chelsea. Knowing it was one thing. Saying the words was another.

“Do you have to go back to work tomorrow?”

He nodded.

“And did you miss your baby?”

He cocked his head to the side. “Huh?”

“Your bar.”

He laughed. “Oh. Kind of. I’m anxious to see how Hall handled things.”

“Did he call or text you while you were gone?”

“No.”

“Then chances are, the place hasn’t burned down.”

“Bite your tongue.”

She shoved against him. “I like how dedicated you are, how much you love that place.”

He appreciated that she didn’t mind how much he loved the bar. He’d lost a lot of girlfriends because of the bar. But Chelsea understood.

They watched a movie after dinner, then Chelsea stood and stretched her back. “I should go.”

“You don’t want to stay?”

“Do you want me to stay?”

He slid his arms around her, tugged her against him, and gave her ponytail a little tug. “Yeah. I want you to stay. If you can live without your laundry until tomorrow.”

“It’ll be tough, but I’ll make an attempt to get through the night.”

He tipped her chin up and brushed his lips against hers. “I’ll try to give you something to take your mind off of your dirty clothes.”

“Something dirtier, I hope.”

He smiled against her lips. “I like the way you think.”

He ran Lou outside, and when he came in, the lights were off except in the bedroom. He came in to find Chelsea had pulled the comforter down. She was naked and sitting cross-legged on his bed. He went hard instantly.

“Now there’s something I’d like to find in my bed every night.”

She leaned back against the pillows. “Is that an invitation?”

“Might be. If you intend to show up naked in my bed.”

“I’ll think about it.” She patted the pillow next to her.

He slipped out of his clothes and joined her on the bed, facing her, sliding his legs on either side of her. He gathered her onto his lap and she wrapped her legs around him, her sex sliding over his cock.

“What now?” he asked, cupping her butt.

“I suppose we could meditate.”

“We could, but it’s not quite what I had in mind.” She reached under the pillow and handed him a condom.

“Already?”

“Yes. I want you.”

He put the condom on, then lifted her and slid her onto his cock. She tightened her legs around him, then began to move.

It was the most excruciating pleasure he’d ever felt. Chelsea kissed him, her body undulating against him, her nipples brushing his chest as she rocked his fucking world. He held on to her and drew her back, then pulled her in, thrusting deeply into her until he thought he was going to burst listening to the sounds of pleasure she made.

She kissed her way along his jaw, letting her tongue slide down his neck, then sinking her teeth into that spot between his neck and shoulder. And when her movements sharpened along with her breathing, he knew she was close. She tightened around him, cried out, and climaxed. He was right there with her seconds later, groaning as he came.

He held her like that, gathering his bearings and enjoying the feel of her kissing his neck, when she whispered in his ear.

“I love you, Bash.”

He stilled, not quite sure if he’d actually heard those words. He pulled back.

“What did you say?”

She smiled, her eyes bright. “I said I love you.”

And then his world crashed around him.

Chapter 35

Chelsea knew as soon as she said the words that it was the wrong time. Or the wrong thing to say.