VALOROUS (A Quantum Novel)(13)

I lead Natalie to the back of the cabin and into the bedroom.

“Holy cow,” she says when she spies the full-size bed. “This is the life.”

“I’m glad you think so, because it’s your life from now on.”

“I’m still trying to wrap my head around that.”

I drop a quick kiss on her lips. “Take all the time you need to get used to it. You want to use the bathroom first?”

“Sure, thanks.” She takes her purse with her into the tiny bathroom that adjoins the bedroom.

While she’s in there, I unbutton my shirt and remove it and the T-shirt under it. I remove my jeans and then pick them up off the floor so Natalie won’t trip over them. A few minutes later, she emerges from the bathroom wearing only a T-shirt. Her hair has been brushed and the minty scent of toothpaste follows her.

I take my turn in the bathroom and make use of the toothbrush and toothpaste the airline provides. And then I take a minute to remind myself that I need to be gentle with her tonight and keep the rage that’s overtaken me out of our bed. It has no place there, especially in light of what’s happened to her in the past.

When I feel calm enough to be what she needs, I leave the bathroom and crawl into bed beside her. “This is becoming my favorite place to be.”

“In bed on an airplane?”

“No, in bed with you.” I reach for her, and I’m greeted by a snarl and a bark that remind me we’re not completely alone. “Fluff, you and I need to come to an understanding.”


The little brat shows me her pathetic fangs.

“Maybe we’ll do that tomorrow.”

Natalie giggles like a little girl, which goes a long way toward helping me relax. If she can laugh like that, maybe I can chill the f*ck out until tomorrow, when I’ll rejoin the war already in progress. Natalie sits up to settle Fluff at the foot of the bed.

The dog reacts by whimpering in protest. I can’t say I blame her for wanting to sleep cuddled up to Natalie.

“Stay.” Natalie’s stern tone turns me on. Hell, everything about her turns me on.

Satisfied that Fluff will stay put, she turns on her side so she’s facing me. “How you doing?”

I caress her cheek and let her silky hair slide through my fingers. “I should be asking you that.”

“I’m not the one who’s about to spontaneously combust from stress and rage and a host of other unpleasant emotions.”

“How are you able to be so calm?”

“I don’t know exactly.” She worries her bottom lip with her teeth, which is so freaking adorable. “I guess when you worry about the worst possible thing happening and then it does, you don’t have to worry about it anymore. Does that make any sense?”

“It makes a ton of sense. It’s almost a relief that the worrying is gone.”

“Yeah, exactly.”

“I’m so sorry you lost your job and your kids. I don’t know if I’ll ever get over that happening because of me.”

She gives me that stern look she normally reserves for Fluff. “It’s not your fault. I’m going to keep saying it until you believe it, too.”

“That might take a while, sweetheart.”

“Well, apparently we have nothing but time to spend together.”

I have a million things I need to be doing with a new film heading into postproduction, decisions to be made on upcoming projects and meetings galore about the hunger foundation I’m starting. But nothing is more important than her and whatever she needs.

I’ll put everything else on hold until this crisis has passed and I’m certain she’s really okay, not just acting the part for my sake.

Her hand on my chest demands my full attention when she slides it down the front of me, coming to rest on my stomach.

“What’re you up to?”

“Just touching you. Is that okay?”

“Fuck, yes, that’s okay.”

Smiling, she goes up on her knees and bends over me, peppering my chest with kisses and little bites that make me hard as a f*cking rock in about two seconds flat.

“Nat… What’re you doing?”

“Touching you.”

“Fuck…”

Then she laughs, and my heart literally contracts in my chest because the punch of love is that strong. I’m willing to put up with any torture she has in mind if it means she’ll laugh and smile. Then she closes her teeth around my nipple, and my mind goes blank. I grasp handfuls of her hair, trying to retain some control, but she won’t be controlled.

Holy motherf*cker…

She kisses her way down the front of me and uses her tongue to outline the hills and valleys of my abs. I thank Christ for every second I’ve spent in the gym. It becomes worth it right here and now. Her chin brushes against my cock through my boxer briefs, and I nearly lose my shit. That’s all it takes to put me right on the edge.

“Could I… Can I…”

I groan loudly. “Nat.”

She rests her face on my quivering stomach, her hair soft against my fevered skin. “I suck at this.”

“Oh my God, you do not! You’re about to make me come just by thinking about what you want to do.”

She turns so her chin is propped on her hand and she’s looking up at me. “I am? Really?”