Spurs and Heels by Heather Rainier Read Free Book Online Page B

him.
    Ash wanted to be responsible for more than just a murmur. He wanted to hear her throaty moans when he suckled her nipples. He wanted to hear her pant in ecstasy as he stroked into the silky heat between her thighs and to be personally responsible for her screams as she came so hard they both saw stars. He wanted everything she had to give and to give her what she needed from him. He wasn’t sure how they were going to fit any of that in if she was working eighty hours each week.
    His body’s natural alarm clock woke him early at five o’clock. It was dark in the room, and he took stock of his position before moving. He didn’t want to startle her or cause her any jarring pain when he moved.
    She must’ve gotten chilled as she slept because she’d gravitated backward and was now spooned against him with her head resting on his bicep. His body was curled around hers, and his other hand rested comfortably on her abdomen.
    Damn, he hated to move.
    Ash wanted to wake up in this position with her every morning.
    The only thing that would be better would be waking up with them both naked. He looked down at her, listening to her breathe.

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    The streetlight outside cast a dim glow through her mini-blinds so that he could make out the swell of her breasts, barely covered by the plunging neckline of her gown. That luscious, seductive curve was almost more temptation than he could manage. He was barely successful in stifling a groan when she moved in her sleep and pressed her ass against him. Luckily, she was too deeply asleep to be aware of the thickened cock she was rubbing against.
    Knowing he had to get up, unable to stand more innocent torture, he drew the comforter over her shoulder and carefully slipped out and slid the other pillow behind her. Stepping out of her bedroom, he closed the door so that he wouldn’t disturb her and then headed for the kitchen to make a pot of coffee.

     
    * * * *

     
    Juliana woke several hours later to the sound of her shower running and the scent of bacon and coffee. The sun was high in the sky, and she gasped in surprise when she saw that she had slept until nine o’clock in the morning. It was always her habit to rise at six-thirty and be at the store by eight o’clock, even though they didn’t open until ten. Her day had to begin earlier so that she had time for paperwork and planning and could then spend at least part of her day on the sales floor, directing operations. It made for a long day, but it kept everything running efficiently. This morning, it made her tired to think of spending an entire day at the store like that. It seemed almost sad.
    The water in her bathroom shut off as she rolled onto her back, testing her pain level. She was due for some more Tylenol soon. She smiled when the image of Ash in her bathroom, naked, drying off with her bath towel came to mind. She wondered obscenely if he was the type to walk around after his shower with his hips wrapped in a towel, or if he went naked until he got dressed. If she’d been feeling a bit more chipper this morning, she might go and investigate for 52

    herself, but she was moving way too slow, and he was dressed and out of the bathroom before she was even sitting fully upright in the bed.
    Ash’s hair was damp but neatly groomed, and he looked like he’d gotten a little rest after he’d come to bed with her. She’d slept surprisingly well, remembering falling asleep to the feel of his gentle hand stroking her arm. He smiled when he saw that she was awake and came to sit on the side of the bed closest to her. He peeked under the dressing between her shoulder blades.
    “How do you feel this morning?”
    “A little better. I can’t believe I slept so late. How does my back look?”
    “Well, the stitches look like they’re holding up, but you bled some during the night. The bandage leaked a little. You didn’t get any blood on your gown, though.”
    “Good, I love this gown,” she replied, relieved but a