“I would love to.” Anne took the tiny bundle, snuggled her close, and kissed the wispy blonde hair. What was there about holding a baby that filled something needy inside?
I want a child. The longing had grown—and been ignored—over the past year. She pressed a kiss to the little head, and Sophia’s rosebud lips made a smacking sound. “She’s beautiful, Jessica. Fine work, Z.”
She realized Ben had leaned against a wall, arms crossed—a common posture with him—and his whiskey brown eyes were studying her, probably coming to the correct conclusion: Mistress Anne was a sucker for babies.
“Well, I need to get home.” With a sense of loss, she gave the baby back to Jessica, added a quick hug for the new mother, and nodded at Z.
Ben followed her out.
In the living room, Z walked over. “We have bedrooms for both of you. Why don’t you stay and catch some sleep?”
“That’s a kind offer, but I’ll sleep better in my own bed,” she said.
“I see.” Z set a warm hand on her shoulder. “Jessica and I appreciate your assistance last night.”
“Actually, I should be thanking you for letting me be part of a miracle. Sophia is lovely.”
“She is, isn’t she?” Z’s quick smile faded. “Please be cautious on the drive home. Our country roads can be hazardous after a storm.” He hesitated and glanced at Ben.
Anne picked up her bag. “I’ll take care. You better try to catch a little sleep, Z, since it’ll be in short supply from now on.”
A smile softened his hard face.
She added, “And call me when you need a break. I’m good with babies.”
Chapter Four
Ben pulled his SUV into Anne’s drive, parked off to the side, and jumped out. Hands in his pockets, he regarded the area. He’d never seen her home in the daylight. Hell of a place.
The two-story house was dark green with white trim and raised high enough to provide a slightly sunken carport beneath—not a bad idea considering how close to the shore this was. From this angle, he could see a shoulder-high deck extended toward the water. She’d had a balcony off the master bedroom, hadn’t she? With beach houses, it was all about the ocean view.
As Anne watched him walk up the steps, her pissed-off expression made him long for a groin protector. He was in for it now.
“Choice A. You’re stalking me,” she said bluntly. “Choice B. Mama Z told you to shadow me home.”
He grinned. No flies on this woman. “B. Although I wouldn’t mind A, if it wouldn’t get me filled with bullet holes.”
His answer didn’t diminish the steam he could almost see coming from her ears. Damn, she was gorgeous when her color was up.
“Oh, honestly, Ben. That’s simply—”
“He knows you can take care of yourself in a fight. But you can’t lift a palm tree, and I doubt you carry a chainsaw in your trunk.”
“A chainsaw? Seriously?” She glanced at his Jeep Grand Cherokee.
“I’m in the wilderness a lot. Comes in handy.”
“Well.” She didn’t…quite…growl. “Right. Thank you then. This is a long way to come when you haven’t had any sleep.”
“You’re welcome, Anne.” He smiled slowly, thinking of Patton’s favorite quote, “Audacity, audacity, always audacity.” All right then. “I wouldn’t mind a cup of coffee if it wouldn’t be too much trouble.”
Considering they’d passed a myriad of stores and coffee shops, she knew he could find his own. His request was for something else, and being the woman she was, she knew that.
She crossed her arms and looked him over like a side of beef.
It took some work¸ but he stood his ground.
And then she smiled. “You are the pushiest submissive I’ve ever met. Why am I enjoying that?” She motioned him into her house. “Come on in.”
Submissive. The word—applied to him—made him pause, but only a second. And then he was right on her heels.
Inside, he caught a glimpse of her living room that seemed all sunlight and windows. She stopped in the foyer to remove her boots and went barefoot up the stairs.
After doing the same, he followed her. Three steps up, he paused to adjust himself. His jeans felt as if they were shrinking around his cock. Wasn’t it nice that he didn’t have to wonder how she’d react to a man’s hard-on? He’d never met any woman so straightforward about sex.
“You’re thinking too much, Benjamin.” Halfway up, she stripped off her shirt and tossed it down.
He caught the garment before it landed on his head—barely. His gaze had been occupied with the sight of her bare back. How her hips started to widen before being covered by her jeans. How her skin was so smooth and golden.