Heath (Wild Boys After Dark, #2)(46)

She loved seeing Heath’s things mingling with hers, and when she walked back into the bedroom, her heart nearly stopped at the sight of him. His eyes were partway open. He held a finger up to his lips to shush her and pointed to Fifi sleeping soundly against him; then he opened his hand for her to take. She slid into the bed carefully, and he blew her a silent kiss.

“Sorry I fell asleep,” she whispered.

“You were adorable, and I had good company.” He beckoned her closer.

Ally inched closer, until Fifi was nestled safely between them, and for the first time in her life, she wondered what it might be like to have a child. Amanda was the dreamer in the family. Ally had never given much thought to marriage or babies, but now, as sleep made her eyelids heavy, her mind drifted to what it might be like to be married to Heath. To have a family of their own. Heath smiled as he curled one hand around her and laid the other protectively over Fifi. He had such a big heart, and as her eyes rolled over his contented expression and he gathered them both in close, she imagined he’d make a loving and protective father.

“Good night, sweetheart,” he whispered.

A minute later his chest rose and fell in the even pattern of sleep, and Ally’s heart beat a little harder.





Chapter Twenty


ALLY AWOKE TO the sound of Fifi purring. She felt the weight of Heath lying a few inches away on the mattress, and when she opened her eyes, she found him petting Fifi.

“Hi, sleepyhead.” He leaned over Fifi and kissed her.

“You didn’t mind that she slept here?”

He lifted Fifi onto his bare chest, and the kitty licked his chin. “This little muffin? Not at all.” He reached one arm out and pulled Ally closer. “I have my two favorite girls in bed with me.”

She smiled and petted Fifi. “She’s very spoiled.”

“She’s very loved. There’s a difference.” He kissed Ally’s forehead, laid his head back on the pillow, and closed his eyes. “What do you usually do Sunday mornings?”

“Depends. Sometimes I lie around and read all morning.”

“That sounds luxurious.” He smiled and opened his eyes.

“You mean lazy.”

He laughed.

“I’m not always lazy. Sometimes I go for a run. Gosh, I haven’t been since I got back from Vermont. I should really get out of bed and go running.”

“You’re a runner?” Heath pushed up on one elbow, sliding Fifi back onto the mattress. The kitty yawned and stretched her front paws out, pressing her butt up in the air. Then she leaped from the mattress to the floor.

“A jogger. I’m not very fast.”

“Let’s go for a run together,” he suggested. “I run a few times each week. We have more in common than we even imagined.”

“You’ll blow me away. Your legs are much longer than mine, and I’m sure you’re much faster.”

“Come on. I’ll go slow.”

Before she could answer, his cell phone rang.

“That’s the answering service ring tone.” He sat up to answer the call. “Yes.” He paused, and while he listened, he rose to his feet and reached for his bag of clothes. “I’ll be right there.” He ended the call and pulled on his briefs.

“One of my patients has been in an accident.” He pulled on his shirt and spoke fast. “I have to go to the hospital.”

As he pulled on his socks, Ally grabbed his shoes from the living room and brought them to him. “I hope your patient’s okay.”

He shoved his feet into his shoes, and Ally handed him his wallet and keys as he headed for the door. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. Go for your run. Do something fun today. I’m not sure how long I’ll be, but I’ll call you later, when I have a handle on things.”

She unlocked the door, and he pulled her into his arms.

“Are we still on for dinner with my family?” He smiled. “Even though that makes me sound like a mama’s boy?”

“I love the mama’s boy in you.”

Heath’s piercing blue eyes narrowed, and a smile spread across his lips.

“I mean…I like...I mean…” Love. I mean I love everything about you.

“You mean?”

“I…”

He sealed his lips over hers and took her in a knee-weakening kiss, and when their lips parted, he searched her eyes with a glint of hope in his.

“You have to go.” Before I say I love you. She took a step back, afraid she’d melt against him and her feelings would flow like a river from her lips.

“Yes, I do. And when I see you later, you can tell me exactly what you mean.” He pressed two fast kisses to her lips, then went out the door and called over his shoulder, “Love you, sweethe—”

Ally sucked in a breath.

Heath stopped, as if the words had rolled off his tongue without thought and shocked him, too. He turned, and the confused look on his face quickly morphed into a wide smile. He pulled her in close again, breathing hard.

“I have to leave, but I do love you, Ally. And I mean exactly that.” With another quick kiss, he hurried down the hall to the elevator, turning to look at her as the doors slid open.

“Pick your jaw up off the floor.” He blew her a kiss and disappeared into the elevator.