Page 35 of The Sailor

She huffed out a breath. “Of course. I’m not one to let shit slide if I think it needs to be discussed.”

“Good. You’re really okay with going back out to Lobster Cove this afternoon?”

“Yes. It’s beautiful there, and I’d love to get a tour of the grounds . . . and swing, of course.”

“One more question before we get up.”

Marit rolled her eyes.

“How do you feel about kissing first thing in the morning?”

“It’s a hard no,” she said with a small grin.

“Damn. Okay. Rain check?”

“Definitely.”

Zach leaned down and kissed her lips briefly, nothing at all like how he really wanted to say good morning, then pushed himself up to his hands and knees. He couldn’t stop himself from looking down at her body. Goose bumps broke out on his arms as he took in how fucking beautiful she was, and as he recalled all the things they’d done to each other just hours ago.

“Shower. Food,” Marit reminded him with a teasing grin.

“Right. At the risk of sounding desperate and way too forward . . . will you stay the night here again tonight?”

“You want me to?” she asked, sounding surprised.

“Hell yes. And for the record, I don’t want or expect sex every night. But I have to admit, I really liked having you as a weighted blanket. I always pooh-poohed the very idea of them, but now? I’m a fan. As long as it’s you holding me down.”

“We’ll see,” Marit hedged.

Zach could respect that. He was very aware he was trying to move this relationship at the speed of light. He simply wanted to be with Marit. The last week, when he hadn’t been able to spend time with her, had sucked. And after last night, he wanted to be with her even more.

He pushed off the bed—knowing he could spend hours talking with her while they did nothing but lie around—and headed toward the bathroom to use it quickly before Marit showered.

She let out a burst of laughter so loud, he turned to see what she was laughing at.

“You really do have the condom stuck to your ass!” she said between giggles.

Zach twisted, trying to look down at his butt. Then back at Marit. She hadn’t covered herself, and it was all he could do not to pounce on her. She looked amazing in his bed. On his sheets. Flushed and mussed from their lovemaking.

“Worth it. Completely worth it,” he said with a wink, then walked toward the bathroom without removing the offending condom from his person.

The last thing he heard before he shut the door behind him was more giggles. And because of that, he couldn’t keep his own smile from his face.