He let his lips cling to hers as he tried to find the power to extricate himself. If he didn’t take care of some business, things would get messy. And that wouldn’t be good, because when things got messy, Millie went into fixer mode. Ty didn’t want her to start spinning what happened between them. He liked her right where she was.
Still, the condom situation had to be handled. With a grumble of frustration, he broke the kiss. “Up.”
Millie looked down at him, lingering hunger glowing in her eyes. “Hmm?”
Lord, he wanted to snap a picture. Her riotous hair was even more tousled than usual. Her skin flushed a pearly pink. She looked sleepy, sated, and yet, stirred. And he’d been the one to wreck her. Pride gave him the strength he needed to disengage. If he’d made her go boneless once, he could certainly do it again. And better. Practice led to perfection.
He slid a hand between them to hold the base of the condom, then gave her bottom a playful tap. “Up. I need to get rid of this thing.”
Heaving a put-upon sigh, Millie rose up on her knees. They both groaned when his dick slipped out of her. She swung her leg over and fell back onto the bed with a huff.
Flashing her a reassuring smile, he leaned down to plant a firm kiss on her mouth, then rolled to the edge of the bed. Pausing only long enough to free his feet from his shoes and his ankles from the fabric binding them, he strode toward the adjoining bath. “Be right back.”
Disposing of the condom took about thirty seconds. He chanced another few seconds checking his reflection in the mirror and making sure he had no reason to suck in his stomach. His usual regimen didn’t include six weeks of steak, scotch, and golf, but not too much damage had been done. Other than a farmer’s tan.
Shrugging, he turned away from the vanity. He wanted to get back before Millie’s mind started to whir and click. When he opened the door, he regretted taking those precious minutes to spruce up. He was too late.
Millie glanced up as she tugged the hem of her skirt into place, and his heart flipped over in his chest. She still wore only the bra on top but held a crumpled wad of fabric in one hand. On closer inspection, he concluded they were her panties. Panic morphed into determination.
“What do you think you’re doing?” he asked.
She looked him square in the eye, then arched one brow. “Hoping to avoid awkward conversation?”
He took the panties from her hand and tossed them over his shoulder. “Fine. We won’t talk.”
Millie laughed, then gave her head a rueful shake. “Listen, I appreciate your enthusiasm, and I definitely look forward to a rematch, but neither of us are kids. I don’t need you to cuddle me and make pretty promises you can’t keep, Ty. Let’s not make this more than what it is.”
Her tough talk coupled with the challenging set of her jaw both amused and annoyed him. Winding an arm around her waist, he hauled her up against him. “What if I need you to cuddle me? What if I’m the one who wants pretty promises?”
She tipped her head back. The expression in her eyes was flat and serious. “I don’t make promises.” She gave his arm a consoling pat. The caress was a clear signal for him to release her, but he chose to ignore the cue. If she truly wanted him to let her go, she was going to have to use her words. “I’m also not very cuddly.”
“Why don’t you let me be the judge?”
She smiled and leaned in enough to press a conciliatory kiss to the base of his throat. “We can plan a sleepover another time. A girl likes to pack her toothbrush and PJs, you know.”
“You don’t need any PJs.” He raked his fingers through her hair, marveling at the extraordinary color and wondering how the hell some women knew exactly what to do to make them unforgettable. “Stay, Millie. I’ll unpack my suitcase and keep you happy.”
“Sounds suspiciously like a pretty promise to me. Besides, I’m scheduled to get ten in before work tomorrow, and I don’t have my gear.”
“Ten?”
“Miles. I’m doing a half marathon next month. I’m in training, Coach.”
She bit her lip as she placed her hands on his chest and made a show of trying to push away, but they both knew she didn’t want to go. She wanted to be convinced.
“I saw your shoes in that suitcase you carry around. Stay, and I’ll give you a complimentary membership to the home gym downstairs. I’ll even loan you a T-shirt.” Her smirk telegraphed her intention to shoot him down, so he went in for the kill. “I’ll throw in hot tub time and breakfast at no additional fee.”
The tips of her ears flushed pink. She ducked her head, but the curve of her cheek gave her away. He almost had her. All he had to do was sink the last couple of shots, and victory would be his.
Lowering his head, he pitched his voice low and soft. “Want me to tell you what all’s included in hot tub time?”
She trailed the tip of one nail through his chest hair. “I was more concerned about the breakfast menu.”
Ty threw his head back and laughed, but he didn’t let his amusement get in the way of his ultimate goal. Sliding his hand up her back, he found the clasp of her bra.
Millie gasped, her eyes widening
