HE HEARD THE RAUCOUS NOISE even before he finished unlocking the door. Music, laughter, playful barking.
Brows drawn, Riley turned the knob and silently pushed the door open. No one noticed him.
Regina sat cross-legged on the floor, her back to the sofa where Harris lounged on his side, his head propped up on a fist. Butch ran up Red’s body, over her shoulder, along Harris’s length, then back down over Regina.
Her shoulders were touching his stomach.
Harris’s nose was practically in her ear.
Riley closed the door with a resounding click that seemed more effective than a hard slam. Butch jerked up. His small furry face went blank with surprise, then lit up with blinding pleasure. Yapping with berserk glee, he tumbled off Harris, rolled over Regina and came charging toward Riley. Ears bouncing and little paws moving with lightning speed, he reached Riley and slid to a halt.
“Well, hello to you, too, squirt.” Riley lifted him up and got his face thoroughly bathed with a warm doggy tongue. All the while he stared at Harris.
Slowly, his mouth twisted as if to hide a grin, Harris straightened. “Hey, Riley.”
Riley continued to stare.
Regina scurried to the stereo and turned it off. Hands behind her back, she smiled shyly at Riley. Shyly? Now what was she up to?
She hesitated a second, then with only a bit less enthusiasm than Butch had shown, she came to him, went on tiptoe and kissed him. Not a polite welcome peck. Nope. She cupped his face and moved her soft sweet lips over his until Riley forgot that Harris was behind her. He snagged an arm around her waist, hauled her up against him, and pressed his tongue past her parted lips. When she went limp against him, Riley reluctantly ended the kiss.
“You’re home,” she said in a breathless whisper.
“Earlier than you expected?”
Harris chuckled. “Gee, Riley, is that a gun in your pocket or are you glad to see...Regina?”
Regina gasped, her thoughts plain on her face, but Riley relieved her mind by saying, “It’s a chew toy for the dog.”
Regina looked down at his lap and blinked at the ludicrously large bulge there. “Oh.”
Harris cleared his throat. “I think I’ll take this as my cue to get lost.”
He had the nerve to stop at Regina’s side, kiss her cheek, and then wink at Riley. When Riley narrowed his eyes, Harris laughed and held up both hands. “Don’t hurt me, Riley, okay?”
Riley rolled his eyes. “What are you doing here?”
“Ah, well, I’m just one in a long line of guys who’ve trooped through your door today.”
Regina elbowed him hard. Riley took her arm and pulled her to his side so she wouldn’t hurt herself poking at Harris. Regina was red in the face, Butch was squirming to be petted and Harris was trying to sidle out the door.
Riley opened it for him. “Later, Harris.”
“Right.” With a fast salute, Harris took off.
Riley closed and locked the door, then, ignoring Regina for the moment, headed to the couch with Butch. “So, my man, you missed me?” He seated himself and Butch immediately climbed up on his chest to sniff his face. He barked, bit Riley’s chin and then tried to dig underneath his shirt.
Laughing, Riley set him aside. “Anxious for your gift, huh?”
Regina inched over to the couch. She smiled. “You’re spoiling him, Riley.”
“I thought it might keep him occupied while I carried you off to bed.”
He heard her gasp, but didn’t comment on it. He was so wired, so damned...needy after talking to the other men, he knew if he didn’t have her soon, he’d explode. He pulled a large rawhide bone out of his pocket. Butch’s eyes widened and his ears came forward in an alert pose.
Setting the bone on the floor, Riley asked, “Think you can handle that?”
The dog ran down Riley’s leg and circled the bone, examining it from every angle, making both Regina and Riley laugh.
“It’s bigger than he is.”
Butch got one corner in his mouth and started backing up with the bone until he was completely hidden beneath a side table.
“That ought to keep him busy.” Riley stood and turned toward Regina. “Now for you.”
Regina chewed her lower lip. “Yes?”
“I missed you.”
Her smile quivered the tiniest bit. “I missed you, too.”
Riley slipped his arms around her waist. Staring down at her, he said, “I was going to go really slow, Red. I was going to start by teaching you a few self-defense moves, because that’s important. Then I was going to carry you to bed.”
“You’ve been teaching me self-defense moves for a while now,” she reminded him.
“Not alone. Not in private where I can mix the lessons with kissing and touching.”
“You’ve changed your mind about teaching me?”
“No, I just don’t think I can wait. We’ll work on your lessons afterward.”
Her smile was sweet, sensual and teasing. “I’m glad. I’ve been thinking about you all day, too. I don’t want to wait.”
She caught her breath when Riley lifted her into his arms. He strode into his bedroom, pushed the door quietly shut with his foot, and sat on the edge of the mattress with her in his lap. “How could you have been thinking about me when you had Harris here entertaining you?”
She pushed his jacket off his shoulders. Riley helped, moving his arms until the coat fell to the bed. Next she began undoing his buttons. “We talked about you.”
“You did?” He didn’t like the sound of that, but with her small cool hands now on his chest, he found it hard to concentrate.
“Yes.” She bent and kissed his throat. “I wanted to start your interview by talking to your friends.”
Riley stiffened, but she caught his neck and quickly kissed him, scattering his thoughts.
“They respect you a lot, Riley.”
“They?”
“Ethan, Buck and Harris.”
His groan was due partly to dismay, partly to the way she removed his shirt and rained tiny kisses across his chest. “Hell, Red, you had all three of them here?”
“Mmm. They don’t know any more about you than I do.” She pushed him flat to the mattress, straddled his thighs and started on his belt buckle.
Riley settled his hands on her waist, charmed with her seduction, and so turned on he wanted her under him right this instant. “You know everything about me that you need to know.”
She glanced up to give him a chastising smile. “No, I don’t. But I can be patient. I’ve decided not to do the interview until you’re comfortable talking to me about your past.”
“Red...”
“Raise your hips.” She had his slacks undone, so Riley did as ordered. She quickly skimmed them, along with his boxers, down his legs. She paused to tug off his shoes and socks, and then he was naked.
Regina let out a breath. “You are such a gorgeous man, Riley Moore.”
“I’m glad you think so. Now come here.”
“Just a second.” She stood beside the bed and stared down at him. “You spoke with Luther?”
“Yeah. I spoke to him.” And I made him very sorry he ever hurt you.
Regina nodded. She bent to pull off her sandals. “He, ah, told you about our breakup, didn’t he?”
Rolling to his side so he could see her better, Riley propped himself up on one elbow. “He explained that he was an obnoxious, blind ass who doesn’t deserve you.”
Her lips curled in a disbelieving smile. “Never in a million years would Luther say something like that.”
“No, but that’s the gist of it.” Riley watched her fidget with the straps of her sundress. Would she be daring enough to lose the dress? He hoped so. “Whether he realized it or not, whether you realize it or not, you’re an incredibly sexy woman, Red.” With a grin, he added, “I sure as hell realized it the second I saw you.”
He heard her inhale deeply. “Thank you.” She reached for the hem and tugged her dress up and over her head. After tossing it aside, she pushed her panties down and stepped out of them. She straightened and waited.
It was the oddest feeling, Riley thought, shaking with lust while choking with tenderness. He’d never experienced it before, but then, as he’d just told her, he’d known from the beginning that she’d be different.
He reached for her and toppled her across his chest. He rolled, putting her beneath him, and cupped one satiny breast. “You’re perfect.”
“I’m—”
“Perfect.” He looked up into her eyes. “I understand about hurt, Regina. People say and do things that, if we let them, can hurt us deep inside and linger for too damn many days and nights.”
Her expression froze. “Someone hurt you?”
Riley decided then and there that he’d tell her. He wanted her trust, so perhaps he had to give it first. He wasn’t a polished man and he didn’t have the persona of the senator, but he could be honest. “My wife.”
She went rigid beneath him. “You were married?”
“Yeah.” Her naked body distracted him and he said in a growl, “Luther is an idiot. I wouldn’t change a single thing about you.” He bent and took a nipple into his mouth.
“Riley, wait...” she said on a groan.
“Can’t.” He gently sucked while pressing his hand between her thighs. She was warm and soft, her springy curls already damp.
Regina waylaid him by catching his wrist. “Riley? There’s something I always wanted to try.”
Breathing hard, Riley forced himself to stop. It wasn’t easy when he ached with the need for release. “What?”
“This.” He let her push him to his back. Her breasts were against his chest, one of her legs between his. Her hair hung loose, silky soft and tousled. “Don’t move.”
He considered that a tall order considering the gorgeous view of her backside that she presented while twisting around to rummage in his nightstand for a condom.
Riley said, “In a hurry?”
“Yes. Tell me if I put this on you wrong.” She opened the small packet and bent close to his groin, intent on her task. He could feel her breath and it made him moan. She blinked at him in surprise. “I haven’t even touched you yet.”
“I know.” It was a miracle he could string those two words together. Her hair tickled across his abdomen, his thighs.
She looked down at his cock and smiled. In the next instant, she had him in her small, soft hand, gently squeezing. “Is this what you want?”
His groan mixed with a laugh. “I want you any way I can have you.”
“Would you like me to kiss you?”
His vision narrowed; every muscle in his body clenched. He said, “Yes,” although he doubted she meant what he wanted her to mean. His body arched in delicious pleasure. “Oh God.”
Her mouth was warm, damp, her tongue curious. Riley caught her head in his big hands and guided her, urging her to swallow more of him, raising his hips to help her with that.
Her small sound of wonder vibrated along his shaft, and his fingers clenched. He’d dreamed about this, about the prim Regina Foxworth giving him head—and enjoying it. The reality beat the fantasy all to hell and back.
For several minutes she drove him crazy, tasting, teasing, humming again. Finally, she lifted away and Riley’s heart swelled at the evidence of her excitement. Her green eyes glowed with heat, her cheeks were flushed. “You taste good, Riley,” she said in wonder.
Riley curled a hand around her thigh. He needed to come. He needed to be inside her. “So do you.”
They stared at each other for a long moment before Regina bent to press one last innocent kiss to the head of his erection. Riley watched her straddle his thighs, saw her frown as she carefully rolled the condom on.
He checked it with her fascinated gaze never wavering, then pulled her over him. “Now what, babe?”
“Now I want to do it like this, with me on top.”
“Yeah?” He gave her a crooked smile that almost hurt, he was so turned on. “I like that idea. That means I can see and touch all of you.”
Her eyes darkened. “Yes.” She lifted up, guided his cock to her opening, and slowly began sinking onto him. Riley held her thighs. She braced her hands on his chest.
It was incredible...seeing her face, watching her expressive eyes and the telling way her lips parted and her breasts rose with each deepened breath. “A little more,” he urged, and her eyes closed as she wiggled, seating herself fully upon him.
Neither of them moved. Riley gasped for air, Regina’s body clenched and relaxed around him.
“I can feel you throbbing.”
He groaned and couldn’t stop the lifting of his hips. Through his teeth, he growled, “I’m a nanosecond away from coming.”
“Really?” She smiled down at him, then lifted.
“Really.” She dropped and he said, “Regina...”
“I like this. Do you?”
Groaning again, he cupped her breasts, brushed her nipples with his thumbs, then caught them both in his fingers, lightly pinching, tugging. Her back arched, driving him even deeper.
He knew he wouldn’t last so he moved one hand between her legs, gliding his middle finger along her swollen lips, taut around him, then up to her turgid clitoris. “Move, honey. Ride me.”
Her fingers splayed over his chest and she began to rise and fall, faster and faster. He loved the small sounds she made, the way her face contorted with her concentration, her pleasure. Riley kept his fingers just where she needed them, treating her to a constant friction that worked with her own movements. Soon she was in the same shape as him, shaking, on the verge of exploding.
He brought his knees up to support her back and returned her thrusts, lifting her knees from the bed as he drove into her. With a startled cry, she collapsed against him. Her mouth opened on his shoulder, her teeth coming down in a tantalizing love bite.
The small pain pushed him over the edge. Riley lost control. He gripped her ass and pounded into her, groaning harshly with his own unending climax, the crushing waves of pleasure going on and on....
He wasn’t sure how much time passed when he became aware of Butch jumping beside the bed, demanding attention. Regina was a soft sweaty weight over his heart.
“Hey?” He moved fistfuls of her hair aside, kissed her ear. “You okay?”
“Mmmrrmf.”
Riley managed a grin. “What’s that?”
“I’m fine,” she said against his neck, wiggling lazily. “Better than fine. I feel extraordinary.”
He stroked her behind. “Yes, you do.”
Her giggle was one of the sweetest sounds he’d ever heard. She was totally relaxed with him. Soon, she’d love him—as much as he loved her.
“We have three problems. We’re both sweaty and sticking together. The condom’s going to become useless in about two seconds if we don’t separate. And Butch is none too pleased to be ignored.”
Regina pressed her face into his chest. “You smell good sweaty.” Lifting up to see him, she asked, “Do I?”
Damn, but she wrenched at his heart. “Good enough to eat.”
She smiled and blushed, then turned her attention to Butch. “You have to wait, sweetie. Give me a second to regain feeling in my legs, and I’ll get up and play.”
“That dog is worse than an infant.”
“How would you know? Ever had an infant?” It was just an offhand remark, not really serious.
“No.” Riley rolled her to his side, filling his hand with her hair so he could see her face. “I wanted a baby though.”
That bald admission, especially after lovemaking, got her attention. “You did?”
“Yeah.” He kissed her, then sat up in the bed. “Stay put. I’ll be right back.” He headed to the bathroom to dispose of the condom. It also gave him a moment to gather his thoughts and figure out how to say what he wanted her to know, to understand.
When he returned, she was sitting up against the headboard, wearing his shirt and holding Butch. The dog took one look at Riley and tried to keep him out of the bed with his pseudo-attacks.
“You mangy little mutt, I’m the one who brought you the bone, remember?”
At the mention of the enormous chew, Butch’s ears perked up and he went to the edge of the bed, whining to be let down. With a sigh, Regina lowered him to the floor. He ran out the bedroom door in a flash.
Riley found his boxers, pulled them on, and sat on the bed at her side. “You look good in my shirt.”
She laughed, making a halfhearted effort to smooth her wild hair. “You know what I think? I think you just like giving compliments.”
“Only to people who deserve them.” He fingered the collar of the shirt, then undid the button between her breasts. He didn’t know if he’d ever get enough of her—
Something solid and damp landed on his foot. Butch had dragged the colossal chew bone over to him, and was now jumping at the side of the bed again.
“Oh no. I don’t want that thing in my bed.”
A barked argument ensued. When Riley held firm, Butch got hold of the very edge of the bone and tried to stand up against the bed. He couldn’t. He looked ridiculous with his mouth full and he made an odd snorting noise during his struggle. Riley couldn’t help but laugh. “All right, you pathetic little beggar. You win. But keep it down at the foot of the bed.”
He lifted both dog and bone, then laughed again when Butch did his best to hide the gigantic thing under the covers. Riley helped by lifting the blankets for him, then caught Regina’s sweet indulgent expression. “What?”
She reached out and touched his jaw. “When I first met you, I knew you were very capable and strong. That’s as noticeable as your blue eyes, and I told myself that I needed to get closer to you to learn some self-defense.”
“Which you’ve yet to do.”
She ignored that. “Then after a while I decided you were a terrific friend, too. You’re so at ease with the guys and with Rosie. I wanted so badly to be a part of that.”
“And you are.”
“Yes.” She touched his mouth, tracing his lower lip with her fingertips. “After I brought Butch home, I got to see how gentle you are. That was such a turn-on, Riley.” Her smile trembled. “Now, seeing your patience and generosity, it occurs to me that you’d also make a wonderful father.” She laughed. “Although you’d probably spoil your kids rotten.”
Riley turned his head and kissed her palm. She was getting into some pretty deep stuff here. So far, she’d admitted to liking and admiring him. He wanted more. He wanted her love.
“I think we can spend a few minutes talking before we need to get dressed for the ceremony.”
“I’d like to talk about...things.”
“Yeah?” He moved into bed beside her, put his arm around her and tugged her into his side. “I haven’t wanted to really talk to a woman in a long time.”
“You prefer to just rush her into bed?”
He shrugged. “I haven’t been a saint, but I haven’t been sexually attracted to that many women either. Now here you are, and I want to talk to you and be inside you at the same time. It’s damn strange.”
“Gee, thanks.”
Riley hugged her. “You go first then.”
He felt her nod before she said, “I always knew it wasn’t me.”
Riley just held her, waiting.
“I’ve never been ashamed of my build or thought I was lacking. I’m just me and I try really hard to be the best that I can. But even though I realized Luther is a creep, I was still...worried.”
“Without reason. You’re incredible, a beautiful person inside and out.”
“Thank you.”
Riley smiled at her continued good manners. “Any problems in the sack were his, Red. It was never about you.”
“Yes, I know.” She stroked his abdomen and sighed. “Especially now. After today, after being with you, I won’t worry anymore.” Then she turned into his side, wrapped her arms tight around him as if to protect him, and whispered, “But you didn’t know, did you? The woman who hurt you—you blame yourself.”
Riley tensed. “It’s not the same thing, honey.”
“Will you tell me what happened? Not for an interview and not for nosiness, but because I care about you, Riley. And I know from experience that it helps to talk.”
A good start, Riley thought, then wondered if she’d feel the same when he finished his tale. “I’ve never told anyone before.” He wanted her to know that, to understand the level of his trust. He shuddered at the small kiss she pressed to his chest, right over his heart. “She died, Red.”
A strange stillness settled over her. “Your wife?”
“Yes.” He was glad Regina kept her face tucked against him, rather than looking at him. He wasn’t a coward, but he couldn’t remember those awful days of lies and deceit—his and hers—without feeling raw. “She was having an affair with Phil, one of my friends from the SWAT team.” With disgust he added, “A man I respected.”
The silence felt heavy, almost suffocating Riley before she asked, “How do you know?”
Riley shook his head, once again wishing he could somehow change things. “I caught them in bed together. I came home from work early and found them in my bedroom, in my bed.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“I always have control, Regina. Always. But when I saw them, I didn’t bother using it. I can’t claim temporary insanity or a blinding jealous rage. That would be a lie. I was pissed off, completely furious, and I wanted to beat the hell out of Phil, so I did. I coldly, methodically, hurt him. Not permanently, but I did a lot of superficial damage.”
“But listen to what you’re saying. You could have killed him, Riley. You’re more than capable. But you didn’t. Instead you just hurt him, as he deserved.”
Riley shook his head. “No one got what they deserved that awful day.” He had to draw three breaths before he could continue. “My wife flew around me, screaming and crying. Phil... He was good, but he didn’t stand a chance against me.”
Regina fisted a hand on his chest. “He was in bed with your wife, Riley. Most men would react the way you did.”
“Most men aren’t me.”
“Meaning you fight better than they could?”
He laughed. “There was no fight to it.”
“And don’t you see? Another man without your control might have killed him, even if he hadn’t meant to.”
He couldn’t deny that. As a cop, he’d seen more than a few crimes of passion. “You know, it was strange, but a good part of my anger was for Phil’s wife. She was seven months pregnant at the time.”
Regina curled closer, both arms around him, one leg over his. Absently, Riley stroked her shoulder.
“God, Regina, when Phil finally left my house, my wife went with him and...” He hesitated, but she had a right to know. “They both died in a car wreck.”
“They made their own decisions, Riley.”
“They were both upset. Physically, Phil was in no condition to drive. I should have stopped them. I should have at least stopped her from going along. But I didn’t.” His throat hurt, but he said it all. “I wanted her out of my sight. I wanted her gone.”
“But you didn’t want her dead.”
She sounded so sure of that. Many times, Riley had remembered that awful day and wondered. He’d been so detached through it all, as if his heart had been anesthetized. “No, I didn’t want her dead.” Saying it out loud made him finally believe it. He’d reacted, but without the intent of such dire consequences. “Hell, I didn’t even want him dead. But when I got the call, I dunno, most of my concern was for Phil’s wife. I kept seeing her in my mind, how happy she’d been, all the plans she’d been making for them as a family.” He glanced down at Regina. “She was cute as hell pregnant and whenever we got together she’d show us the new baby clothes she’d bought or a bassinet or a toy.”
“Oh God, how did she take the news about Phil and your wife....”
He shook his head. “I never told her, Red. Not about the cheating. I’ve never told anyone.” He glanced down at her. “Except you.”
Regina’s eyes were big and soft, filled with understanding. “How did you explain them being in the car together?”
He laughed, but the sound wasn’t humorous. “I was CSI—I knew how to cover my tracks. I made sure no one would know I’d been home when he and my wife left together, then I said my wife must have been helping him with a gift for the baby. I told everyone that they’d discussed it, made plans to buy something wonderful because Phil wanted to surprise his wife. No one doubted it. No one questioned me. Hell, no one even noticed my bloody knuckles.” He swallowed down his own disgust. “They didn’t see the bruises on Phil, either. The wreck was pretty bad and the car caught on fire.” His voice went so quiet, it was barely audible. “Neither of them was all that recognizable.”
Riley could feel Regina shivering. “Was anyone else hurt in the wreck?”
“No, thank God. They went off the side of the road, down into a gully. The car flipped and hit a tree. There were no other cars involved.”
His stomach started churning; absently he rubbed it, trying to fight off the familiar sickness. Butch appeared, his little furry face so expressive, so concerned. He whined as if he’d sensed Riley’s upset, then crawled up onto his chest and curled up under Riley’s chin.
Stupidly enough, it helped.
Emotion clogged Riley’s throat, but he hugged Regina with one arm, patted Butch with his other hand, and wished the damn story didn’t still hurt so much.
Regina was frozen and silent for a long time before asking, “What ever became of Phil’s wife?”
“I stuck around until after the birth, trying to help her out. She had a baby boy she named Phil, after his daddy. Phil had a life insurance policy so she’s not too bad off financially. After that, I left. I quit my job and moved here. I heard she got remarried about a year ago. Her kid would be... I dunno, almost five now.” He stroked his fingers through Regina’s hair, taking comfort in her warmth and softness. “I hope she and the kid are happy.”
Suddenly Regina sobbed.
Startled, Riley tried to see her face but she pressed herself so close, it felt like she wanted to crawl inside him. Butch panicked, whining at Riley, poking his nose into Regina’s cheek.
“Hey. Honey, what’s the matter?”
She hiccuped and in a strangled voice said, “I want to give you something, Riley, okay?”
As she spoke, she turned her face up to his and Riley grimaced. She didn’t cry well. Already her eyes were watery and red, matching her nose. Her cheeks were blotchy. He smiled. “Yeah, sure. But please, don’t cry, baby. I can’t stand it.”
That made her start sobbing again. She crawled out of the bed, still sniffling, and headed out of the room.
“Regina?”
“I’ll be right back,” she wailed.
Riley watched her go, enjoying the way his shirttails barely covered her tush. He looked at Butch. “Women.” Then he added, “But damn, she looks good in my shirt, doesn’t she?” And he murmured, “Even better out of it, though.”
She came back into the bedroom, the framed photo in her hand. She plopped into bed, burrowed into Riley’s side, and dropped the photo on his lap. “Here, you can have it.”
Lip curled in distaste, Riley lifted the smug, smiling face of Senator Welling away from his body and dropped it on the nightstand. “Gee, thanks. Just what I always wanted.”
Regina gave a choked laugh, lightly punched him, and then hugged him in a strangle hold. “You asked me earlier why I brought the stupid thing along.”
Stupid thing? “Uh, yeah.”
“I see the photo and I remember his commitment to his family and how he stands for all the things, I value. It gives me hope that someday I’ll have those things, too.”
Riley rolled his eyes. “Regina...”
“It gave me hope that some day I’d meet a man like him. But I don’t need him for inspiration anymore.” She smiled up at Riley and even with the blotchy cheeks, she looked beautiful. “You’re the finest man I know, Riley. No one else could ever measure up to you.”
Oh hell. It was bad enough when he thought she used Welling as a masculine measuring tape. But if he became the damn tape, she was bound for disappointment. “No, Regina, I’m just a man.”
“A good man. A real man. And that’s better than a public persona any day.”
Riley’s heart about stopped. Was it possible she loved him, too? Had he finally gotten through to her? He started to tell her so when his phone rang. Riley reached for the nightstand and snatched up the receiver. “Hello?” And then with foreboding, “Yeah, Dermot. What’s up?”
Just as he suspected, Earl had been released. The judge returned not more than a few hours ago, but Earl had made his call and somehow gotten things expedited.
“Thanks for the heads-up. I guess all we can do now is hope he doesn’t jump bail.” He hung up and rubbed his face. “Looks like we’re back to square one unless Senator Welling can remember something vital.”
Regina gasped as if someone had pinched her. “Oh no. Senator Welling and the ceremony. We’re going to be late.”
Riley glanced at the clock and cursed. “We’ll make it if we hurry.” He threw the covers aside and stood.
Regina remained in bed, her bottom lip caught between her teeth. “Riley? Are you sure we can’t just skip it? Somehow, I’m not as excited about seeing him as I had been.”
He smiled, caught her under the arms and lifted her from the bed. “No, we can’t skip it. I don’t want to miss this chance. If we get there early, we can talk to the senator before the ceremony begins and get it out of the way.”
“Then come back here and make love some more?”
Riley feigned a scandalized gasp. “Why, Ms. Foxworth, you surprise me.”
She grinned. “When we get home, I’ll surprise you even more.”
Home. He liked the sound of that. “It’s a deal.”