Page 69 of The Cattleman's Unforgettable Love

He looked down at Amelia again, smiling at the way her long lashes brushed her cheeks. Yeah, she was beautiful, but more than that, she was what he'd told her – she was his kind of perfect. And now that she was here... He sucked in a deep breath and made himself a promise. Now that she was here, he was going to do all that he could to persuade her to stay – to be with him. He tightened his arm around her – to be his.

He felt bad when she opened her eyes, but it didn't last when she smiled and asked, "Are you okay? What am I, a squeezy toy?"

He let out a low chuckle. "Sorry. I didn't mean to wake you. I shouldn't be mauling you. I just woke up happy that you're here with me. I wanted to hold you while I can."

She tightened her arm around his waist. "It wasn't a complaint. I was just curious, that's all."

He shrugged happily. "I don't know what to tell you, Lil’ Bit, but unless you've got a problem with it, I don't see me stopping."

He loved the sound of her laugh. She was still half asleep, and it showed in her voice. "What's with this ‘Lil’ Bit’ thing? Where did that come from?"

He inhaled sharply. He didn't even know where it had come from, but he'd called her that a couple times last night. And as he met her gaze, he realized that he didn't want to stop calling her that.

He shrugged. "It just means, like, little thing. Like you're a little lady."

Her eyes seemed to shine when she smiled. "I've heard it before. I've just never heard you call me that before."

He pressed a kiss to the tip of her nose. "Are you saying you don't like it?"

He could see her answer before she spoke – her pink cheeks gave her away.

He poked her side with a smile. "You do, don't you? You like it."

She narrowed her eyes at him. "I feel like I shouldn't."

"Why?" he asked with a frown.

She shrugged. "I don't know. I just... I don't want to go all sappy female just because the big sexy ranch guy showed her a good time."

His frown deepened. As far as he was concerned, he'd done more than show her a good time, but...

She ran her fingers over his cheek. "That didn't come out right, did it? But you know what I mean. All I'm saying is that I don't want to let the best sex of my life cloud my brain."

That made him feel a whole lot better.

"I don't think it takes a clouded brain to like being given your own pet name, does it?" he asked.

"No, it's not that. It's just..." She looked more awake now, and he could see that she was giving the matter serious consideration. "I'm not some little itty bitty sweet thing that needs to be taken care of."

He chuckled. "Believe me, I know. I just... I won't say it anymore if you don't want."

She tightened her arm around him. "What I'm trying to say and messing up is that I do want." She looked up into his eyes and pressed a kiss to his lips. "But only because you're the one saying it. Does that make more sense?"

He grinned. "Not only does it make sense, but it makes me feel pretty damn good."

"Good," she said with a smile. "Then I like it for both of us."

He slid his hand down over her ass and gave it a squeeze. "I'd love to give you a lil’ bit more this morning, too, but I have to get up and go. Do you want me to bring you some coffee up before I leave?"

"No." She sat up, and he loved that she didn't try to cover herself with the sheet – just sat there all beautiful and naked as she said, "If you need to get up now, I'll get up with you. Do you eat breakfast before you go? I can make coffee."

He ran his hand over her hair. "I don't eat until later, but I can make you something if you want."

She shook her head. "No, thanks. I want to be able to pull my weight around here."

He nodded slowly. As tempted as he was to tell her that he'd make her coffee every day especially if she wanted to start waking up in his bed with him, no way was he going to say it.

If getting up and making the coffee would make her feel at home, then he had no problem with it. Although... He reached out and ran his hand down her side. He'd have even less of a problem if she wanted to stay right where she was – here – in his bed – naked.