“No. That would make me feel like I was at work, and, believe me, I think very differently about the human body when I’m at the hospital than I do when I’m with you. You don’t want to go there.”
He chuckled. “Got it.”
“I like it when you’re forceful.”
“Really?”
“I’ve thought about having you shave me.”
“You mean… here?” He reached down, cupped her.
“Yes.”
“Jesus.”
“And I like your bad-boy vibe.”
“My … what?”
“You know—the bad-boy vibe. Okay, so you’ve spent your life working as one of the good guys, but put you in black leather, and you’d look like a biker with those muscles and those tats.”
He seemed to find this funny. “Good to know.”
Chapter 17
Acallfrom the front desk woke them both at five. Ellie whimpered in protest and snuggled deeper into Jesse. “I don’t want to.”
He chuckled. “I don’t think you have a choice.”
She didn’t. She dragged herself out of bed, her body pleasantly sore, and packed her things together, throwing on a pair of jeans and a sweater. By the time she was ready to go, he’d carried the leftover food to his SUV and had driven the vehicle around to the lodge’s door for her.
The sun hadn’t yet risen, tiny flakes drifting in a cold wind.
“More snow.”
Jesse grinned, as if this were good news. “Yeah. They’re saying we’ll get another six inches tonight.”
“That’s not so much.”
“That’s not what you were telling me last night.”
That made her laugh. “I bet you’re bigger than six inches.”
“I wasn’t going to point that out myself, but since you mentioned it...”
They arrived at her house to find Cedar and Claire ready to go and the twins still asleep. Jesse helped Claire out to the car while Cedar carried their overnight bags.
“Thanks.” Ellie gave her sister a kiss.
“You’re welcome.” Claire lowered her voice to a whisper. “Details.”
Ellie changed the sheets on her bed—again—and then crawled under the covers, Jesse joining her, the two of them still dressed. And for a while, they slept.
It was just after seven when a little voice woke Ellie.
“Mama?”
“You can sleep,” she said to Jesse. “I’ll get them changed and make breakfast.”