Page 9 of Wrong Number, Right Grumpy Firefighter

“Helluva way to show surprise if that’s what it was,” I mumble to Aries as I stroke him softly. Like his dad, he’s also out cold.

“What?” Dean mumbles.

“Nothing, go back to sleep.”

“Mkay.” He turns, snaking an arm around me, ensnaring me in his hold as he spoons me. I should fight this until I know if his earlier words bore any truth. A decent person would shimmy out of his grasp so he doesn’t wake all the way up with that same mortified slash surprised expression on his face. I don’t think I could take seeing it a second time.

But dammit, he’s so warm.

Warm and…hard.

Hot coils in my belly.

I shouldn’t be able to tell he’s missing his towel considering the man’s sleeping on top of the comforter and I’m sleeping under it. But that rod of steel pressed against my lower back is hard to misinterpret despite the thick blanket.

He nuzzles his face in the crook of my neck, his warm breath heating my skin. Dammit, this is nice. I’m too comfortable to crawl out of his hold now. Too…turned on.

“Dean?” I whisper his name, not wanting to wake him if he’s out again, but hoping he hasn’t fallen back into that coma.

“Yes, sweetheart?”

A tingle zings through my entire body at the pet name, which is just ridiculous because I have no idea if it’s really meant for me. Maybe he thinks there’s just another woman in his bed to keep him warm. Dammit, how do I know that the man isn’t seeing someone else? I’ve been so intent on avoiding him that I have no clue what’s going on in his life right now or who else might be in it.

“Who are you calling sweetheart?” I ask, hoping it sounds like I’m teasing him. Hoping he can’t detect the panic or jealousy in my tone.

“You.”

“Who isyou?”

“Heather Giles. The woman inmyarms.”

“Oh,” I say, my nipples pebbling instantly at the declaration that sounds a whole lot less groggy than anything he’s said before now. “Just wanted to make sure you were of sound mind, or this might be really awkward.”

“I don’t let just anyone in my bed, Heather.”

Fuck me, those words fill me with molten heat. Wetness dampens my panties, and I squeeze my thighs tight. But it’s no help. The other thing that’ll relieve this pressure now is the man who’s holding me.

“I never thanked you,” Dean says.

“It was just spaghetti, Dean. I’m just happy it was edible.”

“I meant for you staying with me.”

“Oh. Well, you’re welcome?”

“Is that a question,” he teases, his lips brushing against my skin. Was that a kiss or just the movement of his mouth as he spoke?

“I just didn’t think it was a big deal is all,” I say, my eyes falling closed as his palm flattens against my chest. His thumb strokes slow half circles, the tip of it just below my breasts. Breasts that I set free after he fell asleep. I thought I’d have time to put my bra back on before he woke up. Same goes for the leggings currently piled up on the floor. Oops.

“Itisa big deal to me,” he says. “So tell me. How can I repay you?”

“You don’t have to repay me.”

“I want to.” When he presses his mouth to the hollow spot on my neck, there’s no mistaking the sensation this time. It’s a deliberate kiss. “I’ll do anything you want me to, Heather. So let me.”

“Anything?” I squeak.

“As long as you tell me what to do, I’ll do it.”