“Go to sleep, baby.” He wrapped her in his arms and cuddled her against his damp chest. “I’m not done with you yet.”

Morgan closed her eyes.

God, she’d eaten the chips. Every single last one of them, and it was just as she feared.

It had been a mind-blowing experience. And she wanted more.

“Hmm, that’s nice.”

The massage on his bare feet was a bit ticklish, but the warm, wet motions dragged him from a heavy sleep and allowed him to finally surface. Who would’ve thought she’d have a foot fetish? Of course, she’d surprised him in all sorts of wonderful ways last night. But this was—

“Ugh!” He jumped up from the bed and found a delighted Balin by his feet, tongue hanging out. Gross. Gandalf was by the side of the bed, patiently waiting for him to open his eyes, and all that doggy intensity went haywire when Cal finally sat up.

“Shhh, don’t wake Morgan,” he warned. They wriggled and shook with the need to get up on the bed and treat Morgan to a good tongue bath. Overnight guests weren’t expected, so the dogs probably thought it was snuggle time.

Holding back a smile, he swung his legs around and threw on a pair of sweats. Cal studied Morgan’s sleeping form with fierce satisfaction. He’d made sure there’d be no sneaking out in the middle of the night this time. No distance or politeness or walls up. Last night had changed everything, and he didn’t intend to go back.

Now he just had to convince Morgan he was right.

Even in sleep, she kept to herself, as if not used to sharing her bed or her life with someone. Curled up in the fetal position, face smoothed free of worries, silvery hair spilled messily over her cheek, she looked open and vulnerable. Cal withstood the rush of possessiveness that roared in his head and his dick. This was his woman now. Somehow, someway, she’d dug herself under his skin and stuck.

He led the dogs out of the bedroom and out the front door. Watching them bound around the lawn, frolicking, his mind went over his odd thoughts. He’d never felt this good the morning after. The need for her was strong. But so soon? After one night of great sex? It made no sense. He wasn’t the type to get lovey-dovey or attached. He hadn’t been looking for anything, yet here she was. Just strolled into his life with a haughty, demanding attitude and a rockin’ body, and he fell in one quick swoop.

The dogs finished up, and he headed into the kitchen to give them food and water. While they munched on breakfast, he started up the mega stainless steel coffeemaker and waited for it to finish brewing. How would she react this morning? Would she be cool and distant? Would she want to continue their relationship or term it a one-night occurrence?

He sensed their connection went beyond the physical. The way she’d opened herself up to him last night, and begged so sweetly. The way she stroked him like he was the only one to feed her hunger. The way she worried about protocol before falling asleep wrapped tight in his arms. He’d woken her up three times like an addict needing a hit, and she fell on him with a fervor that matched his own.

Cal waited for his coffee and pondered. The sun spilled through the window and lit up the kitchen. Damn, this felt good. He felt good. Even with Felicia, he was always trying to plan for what she needed next. He’d been besotted, and in lust. He’d envisioned a bright future with her, but he’d never looked into her eyes and knew who she really was. They’d been too young, and not meant for each other.

The moment he slid into Morgan’s body and watched her shatter beneath him, something shifted. It was like coming home after years of searching for something.

Holy shit, he was waxing poetic after one night with her. This was definitely uncharted territory.

Shaking his head at his thoughts, he glanced at his watch. He’d let her sleep for a bit longer. They had a long day ahead, and he’d kept her up most of the night. Humming under his breath, he poured out a mug of steaming coffee and shared some toast and butter with the dogs. Hopefully, Dalton had fixed the problem with the inspector and he could get him on the schedule to start the drywall.

He mentally sifted through the rest of the schedule. It was tight but still doable. Sure, they’d had some setbacks, but that was part of the building process. Cal had to admit that, even though the deadline sucked, he’d had more fun building this house than he’d had in a long time. Working with Morgan brought a freshness and creativity to the site, along with a hard-core work ethic he respected. He looked forward to seeing her every day in her white khakis and pink work boots. She wasn’t above doing a coffee run for the crew, and she handled the masculine environment with ease. He liked seeing her in the office with Sydney or bantering with his brothers.

And they had four months left.

“Hey.”

He turned at the soft greeting and smiled. Morgan’s hair was damp from her shower, and she wore one of his T-shirts with her white pants. Her face was scrubbed free of makeup. He had a moment of regret that he couldn’t tumble her one last time before the day started, but he doubted he’d be able to get out of bed if he tasted her one more time. The dogs shot over to her, pressing against her in competitive ecstasy for the first belly scratch. She grinned and gave them what they wanted, using both hands until they were satisfied they’d gotten enough morning love. Cal wished he could get some, too.

“Hey. I figured I’d wake you in a bit. You needed the sleep.”

Her blush was adorable and sexy. She tugged at the hem of his shirt. “I have to get home and change. My blouse got ripped, so I can’t wear it.”

The image of him tearing off her blouse to reveal her gorgeous full breasts shot straight to his dick. In seconds, he was at full mast and uncomfortable as hell. “I remember.” His voice dropped. “My only regret right now is I didn’t rip the pants, too.”

Morgan gulped, then swiftly looked away. “Then I wouldn’t have anything to wear.”

Cal laughed. Oh, this was too good. She’d had her mouth all over him and there hadn’t been a trace of shyness. Seems the morning light changed her back into a very proper lady. He refused to let her hide, though. He stalked forward and closed the distance between them. “Exactly.”

“I have to go.”

“We have fifteen minutes.”

Her eyes widened with his insinuation. Cal kept the laughter from his expression. “Umm, we have the inspector problem and the drywall delivery and a meeting with Sydney and lots of stuff.”