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His laugh warmed something inside, a long-dormant desire for belonging. Connection. Ty snuck a quick kiss before eluding my grabby hands to slide out of bed.

“I’m going to go make us a pot of coffee and respond to your brother, let him know I’m bailing on him today.”

It was hard to grumble when he was leaving bed to make me coffee. “Do you have any cream?”

Ty’s eye roll wasn’t subtle. “Yes, I know how you like your coffee.”

“And?” I arched my brow imperiously, secretly impressed.

“Of course, I bought cream. Can’t leave my kitty unsatisfied.”

His smirk made me regret letting him out of bed but shifting my legs had me wincing thanks to the overused muscles. Maybe coffee was the safer stimulant this morning. My thighs would thank me later.

I slipped into Ty’s shower, smiling at the extra towel he’d left out. Neither of us had even brought up me going home last night. There had been no question that we weren’t ready to separate so soon. As it was, I’d be showing up to work with a satisfied smile and a sex hangover Mark would spot a mile away on Monday. I heaved a happy sigh, sliding into last night’s clothes. Not even a forest of wrinkles could bring my mood down.

Curious, I opened the door to the extra room at the end of the hall. Ty hadn’t exactly skipped it on his tour, just noted it was the guest room. I cracked the door, peering inside.

“Holy crap.”

Wall-to-wall stuffed animals. It was like a Build-A-Bear threw up in there. Not exactly the bachelor guest room I’d envisioned. And definitely not something Jimmy would have helped decorate.

Ty placed a quick kiss at the juncture of my neck and shoulder, wrapping an arm with a steaming cup of coffee in front of me.

“It’s for my niece,” he murmured.

I relaxed into his embrace, sinking into Ty’s warmth, letting his words skip through me.

“Rosie?”

He nodded, before resting his chin on my shoulder, taking in the collection of stuffed bears, unicorns, and every other creature known and unknown. In addition to the stuffies, the room sported a single bed with a colorful quilt and walls painted a shocking yellow.

“This is her room when she stays with me.”

“Does she stay over a lot?”

I felt his nod more than I saw it, before he placed another quick kiss and withdrew.

“At least once a month I keep her, so her parents can have a date night.”

I rubbed at my chest, letting the sweetness sink in. In what universe was Ty still single? How had someone not snatched him up already?

Sipping from my cup of coffee, I stared into his deep brown eyes, enjoying the love and affection for his niece I could see there. “You, Ty Sheldon, are a prince among men.”

His eyes shadowed, and he hesitated a moment before smiling at me. “There’s plenty of time to learn about all my flaws. Right now is about wooing you.”

“Wooing me?” I hooted on a grin. Eyes sparkling, I couldn’t resist teasing him. “Are you going give me your high school lettermen jacket next? Take me out for a milkshake at the drive-in? Maybe give me your pin and ask me to go steady?”

“You would look cute in my jacket—and nothing else.”

I chortled. “Thank goodness it’s not the fifties, and hallelujah, we’re not in high school anymore. Jimmy would have skinned you alive for suggesting that back in the day.”

“Yes, one of the few pleasures of adulthood is being able to see you naked.” He winked. “I have a shift at the market today, but join me for dinner, tonight?” he asked hopefully.

Heart full, I agreed immediately, eager to spend as much of the weekend together as possible.

Another delicious cup of coffee and a goodbye kiss that threatened to turn into more thigh chafing later, I left Ty‘s so he could get ready for the Farmer’s Market.

On Monday, I floated through my meetings and work tasks, mostly ignoring Mark’s frantic requests for updates on our payroll project. Ed and I had nearly finished testing. Nothing could hold back my afterglow.