The Welcoming

weaken her.
    “You have the most incredible body.”
    She shoved at his seeking hands. “Roman . . . I do?”
    His lips curved. This was the way she liked them best. “Absolutely. Let me show you.”
    “No, I . . .” She caught his hands as they stroked her thighs. “We’ll probably kill each other if we try this again.”
    “I’ll risk it.”
    “Roman, I mean it.” Her head fell back and she gasped when he scraped his teeth over her skin. It was impossible, she thought, impossible, for this deep, dark craving to take over again. “Roman—”
    “Fabulous legs,” he murmured, skimming his tongue behind her knee. “I didn’t pay nearly enough attention to them last night.”
    “Yes, you—” She braced a hand against the mattress as she swayed. “You’re trying to distract me.”
    “Yeah.”
    “You can’t.” She closed her eyes. He could, and he was. “Ludwig needs the run,” she managed. “He enjoys it.”
    “Fine.” He sat up and circled her waist with his hands. “I’ll take him.”
    “You?” Wanting to catch her breath, she turned her head to avoid his kiss, then shuddered as his lips trailed down her throat. “It’s not necessary. I’m perfectly . . . Roman.” She said his name weakly as his thumbs circled her breasts.
    “Yes, a truly incredible body,” he murmured. “Long and lean and incredibly responsive. I can’t seem to touch you and not want you.”
    She came up on her knees as he dragged another gasp out of her. “You’re trying to seduce me.”
    “Nothing gets by you, does it?”
    She was losing, weakening shamelessly. She knew it would infuriate her later, but for now all she could do was cling to him and let him have his way. “Is this your answer for everything?”
    “No.” He lifted her hips and brought her to him. “But it’ll do.”
    Unable to resist, she wrapped her limbs around him and let passion take them both. When it was spent, she slid bonelessly down in the bed. She didn’t argue when he drew the sheets over her shoulders.
    “Stay here,” he told her, kissing her hair. “I’ll be back.”
    “His leash is on a hook under the steps,” Charity murmured. “He gets two scoops of dog food when he gets back. And fresh water.”
    “I think I can handle a dog, Charity.”
    She yawned and tugged the blankets higher. “He likes to chase the Fitzsimmonses’ cat. But don’t worry, he can’t catch her.”
    “That makes me breathe easier.” He laced up his shoes. “Anything else I should know?”
    “Mmm.” She snuggled into the pillow. “I love you.”
    As always, it knocked him backward to hear her say it, to know she meant it. In silence, he stepped outside.
    She wasn’t tired, Charity thought as she stretched under the sheets. But Roman was right. Sleep wasn’t the best reason for staying in bed in the morning. Despite her bumps and bruises, she knew she’d never felt better in her life.
    Still, she indulged herself, lingering in bed, half dreaming, until guilt finally prodded her out.
    Moving automatically, she turned on the stereo, then tidied the bed. In the parlor she glanced over the notes she’d left for herself, made a few more. Then she headed for the shower. She was humming along to Tchaikovsky’s violin concerto when the curtain swished open.
    “Roman!” She pressed both hands to her heart and leaned back against the tile. “You might as well shoot me as scare me to death. Didn’t you ever hear of the Bates Motel?”
    “I left my butcher knife in my other pants.” She had her hair piled on top of her head and a cake of some feminine scented soap in her hand. Her skin was gleaming wet and already soapy. He pulled off his shirt and tossed it aside. “Did you ever consider teaching that dog to heel?”
    “No.” She grinned as she watched Roman unfasten his jeans. “I guess you could use a shower.” Saying nothing, he tossed his jeans on top of his shirt. Charity took a moment to make a long, thorough survey. “Well, apparently that run didn’t . . . tire you out.” She was laughing when he stepped in with her.
    It was nearly an hour later when Charity made it down to the lobby. “I could eat one of everything.” She pressed a hand to her stomach. “Good morning, Bob.” She paused at the front desk to smile at him.
    “Charity.” Bob felt the sweat spring onto his palms when he spotted Roman behind her. “How are you feeling? It’s awfully soon for you to be up and around.”
    “I’m