Page 39 of Love in Overdrive

Chapter 13

The sunlight crept under Laney’s eyelids. No… She wasn’t ready to wake up. This dream was a doozy. A robber, a cabin, and Cade’s big, strong arms. The last part was worth staying asleep for.

She flung her arm over her face.

“Oof.”

Was that her? It sounded so close to her ears that it had to be from her own mouth. The fog of sleep slowly lifted. Shifting, Laney stretched. A pain ached in her leg, but not too bad. Her back, on the other hand, had tightened up like a kid’s fist when they have something they aren’t supposed to. She didn’t remember the couch being this hard and lumpy last night. She wiggled back and forth. It was as hard as a rock.

The couch shifted.

She froze. No? It couldn’t be. She let her fingers walk down the edge of the cushion. It twitched. Crap! She jerked. Lacking balance, gravity pulled her down. Her eyes flew open. The floor came into view. Her forward motion stopped, inches from the tile.

“Whoa. I got you.” Cade’s long fingers splayed over her belly. He pulled her back to his chest.

She brushed her hair from her face and gave him a shy smile.

“Good morning.” His deep voice sent shivers down her body. And wouldn’t you know it, they all pooled in that one needy place.

“Um. How did you get under me?” Her cheeks heated. She should get off him. His grip on her was light, but it was like industrial glue held her in place.

His sexy-as-sin grin flashed on his face. “You don’t remember?”

Well, crap. No.

He wouldn’t have taken advantage of her… would he? She slipped a hand up her shirt to her neck. Shirt? She looked down. She was fully dressed. Thank you, sweet Jesus.

A froggy sound escaped her throat. She cleared it. “All the walking really tired me out. I slept like a log.”

“And the dream?”

“Dream?” Did she talk in her sleep? Well, fudge. The heat on her cheeks turned up to broil.

“You had a bad dream. I tried to wake you, but…”

“Oh. That dream. It was real. The robber. Running through the woods.” Grabbing Cade and holding him close. If that was real, then… Her breath caught. “The money. We have the money?”

“Yes.” He rubbed hypnotic circles on her back.

So soothing, Laney relaxed back into his broad chest.

“Breathe,” he murmured.

She glanced over her shoulder into dark eyes. They mirrored hers. Not the color, but the lust. She gulped. “Thank you.”

“For what?”

Yeah, for what? Being here. Holding her. Not taking advantage of her.

Okay, she’d wished he’d done a little taking advantage. Maybe she should initiate?

“Everything.” Laney swiveled, just enough to zero in on his lips. She’d dreamed of that mouth. One… more… inch.

Her gaze roamed his handsome face, short beard, not-quite-straight nose, and up to his warm eyes. Correction, hot eyes. The heat rolling in them scorched her on sight, and she loved it.

Her lips brushed his, soft and teasing. She sucked his lower lip between her teeth and lightly bit.

He growled—low and sexy. “Someone’s feisty this morning. I like it.”