Free SuddenHeat by Denise A. Agnew

can’t believe I slept that
long.”
    “We were up late and you needed the rest.” His voice sounded
assuring and deep.
    “I feel so foggy.”
    “You went through a significant trauma yesterday and you
might feel out of it for a few days.”
    “I didn’t even hear you get out of bed or showering or
anything. How long have you been up?”
    “A couple of hours. I just started coffee. Hope you don’t
mind.”
    “Of course not. I’m…” She was what? Surprised as hell that
he was still here? She was. After all, this thing they’d done last night, the
hot as hell sex…that wasn’t something she experienced on a regular basis.
    Who are you kidding, Melanie? You’ve never had sex like
that before .
    She rubbed one hand through her tangled hair and groaned.
“I’m so sorry. You probably have a ton of things to do today and I need to get
in touch with the ladies about the engraved present.”
    “You don’t even know if the mall is open today. If the cops
are still doing their investigation you may not be able to get in.”
    “Right. I didn’t think of that. And tomorrow is
Thanksgiving. That only leaves Friday to finish up at the engraver’s and the
wedding Saturday.”
    He slipped his hand into her hair and brushed it away from
her forehead. “We’ll work it out. I’ll talk to my brothers and if you can speak
with the ladies maybe we can get there later today if the mall is open. Or
maybe this present needs to go on hold until after the wedding.”
    She sighed. “You’re right. It isn’t like this was planned
way in advance anyway.”
    “Don’t beat yourself up. You didn’t know some asswipe was
going to start shooting up the mall. I’m sure Danelle and Patrick are just
happy we’re all safe.”
    She shivered, and he brought her against his chest and
hugged her. She absorbed his touch, melting into him as his strength and heat
sizzled through her. His touch sent a thousand sparklers of sensation dancing
over her body and warmth pooled in her belly. God, even after that
soul-stealing sex last night just a single touch from him turned her on.
    “Don’t stress. Give yourself a break,” he said. “Everybody
will understand if this gift doesn’t get put together until later.”
    She wanted to kick herself seven ways until Sunday. “There’s
still so much to do.”
    “What about Lena and Kathleen? Aren’t they helping Danelle?”
    “Yes but…” She shrugged. “I’m her maid of honor.”
    “She’ll understand if things are a bit wiggy.”
    “Sorry, I’m just freaking out and there’s no reason to.”
    “I’ve seen marines do this. Get wound up when they’re trying
to avoid thinking about battle experiences and trauma. They keep busy. But that
doesn’t make the bad stuff go away, Melanie.”
    “What does make it go away?”
    “Well, short of counseling, there’s also kissing and making
love.” He smiled and before she could say anything he dove in for a kiss.
    Her mind blanked and she dropped the sheet she’d
instinctively pulled up to cover her breasts. Their tongues mated and a shiver
of pure desire hit her straight at the core. Her nipples hardened and she went
moist between the legs. His arms went around her and he gathered her close. He
held her gently, as if she was fragile and precious.
    When he released her, she sighed. “God. You should bottle
that and sell it.”
    He laughed again. “Come on. Get up. You want some coffee and
you know it.”
    “I dunno. Staying in bed is looking mighty tempting right
now.” She brushed her fingers over his bristly chin. “You, sir, look perfectly
disreputable.”
    One of his eyebrows twitched upward. “That’s because I am.
And if you don’t get out of that bed and drink some of my coffee, I’ll have to
climb right back in bed with you.”
    Oh, oh yes. That was tempting. “Sorry, but I
only have one box of condoms.”
    His eyebrows lifted. “Damn. Sure that’s enough?”
    Her mouth flopped open. Part of her had been absolutely