Page 54 of Wilde Shorts

We lay there in a hot sticky mess on the floor, panting and heaving and, in my case, half-unconscious.

After a while spent dropping tiny kisses along my shoulder and down my spine, Evan finally moved us into the shower for a quick cleanup. I didn’t pay much attention, just leaned against him to keep from falling down again.

He dried me off again and poured me into bed, turning off the light and climbing in behind me to spoon. I turned to face him,meeting his eyes in the dim moonlight coming through the edges of the blinds.

“Thank you for loving me,” I said, slurring my words in exhaustion. “Every day I feel like I won the lottery. I can’t wait until I’m your husband. I love you so much.”

“I love you too, sweetheart. Get some sleep. We have another full day of the festival tomorrow, including Willow’s dance routine.”

“Wish I was dancing too,” I murmured against his hairy chest. “I like dancing for you.”

His hand brushed through my hair with such sweet affection, I felt myself drifting off even more with the comfort of his touch.

“Good,” he said with a smile in his voice. “Then you won’t mind I stopped by Feathers and convinced Darius to give me your old costume. I’m expecting a private show once things with the festival die down.”

I thought back to the only night I’d gotten to wear the sexy ensemble. I’d fantasized a million times about getting a do-over for that night and having the chance to dance just for him.

“Mm-hm. Just for you though. I only shake my tail feathers for one person these days. I’m a one-bird feather-shaker. Ask anyone,” I mumbled.

I didn’t remember much after that except for the deep familiar rumbles of my favorite laugh as I slipped off to a dreamless sleep.