Page 39 of Winning His Wager

Fletcher looked down.

Soft blond hair hid her eyes from him, but he knew.

Dylan was fast asleep. And about to fall to the floor.

He wrapped his arms around her.

Fletcher hiked her closer, sure she’d wake up at any moment and he’d have to explain himself fast. She didn’t.

It didn’t get better than this. He had gotten to hold her tonight, after all.

He pulled the blanket over them both and just stayed right where he was as his eyes drifted shut. He’d get up in a bit, but for now, Dylan didn’t have a clue what she had done to him tonight. But she’d catch on eventually. He was sure of it.

He was looking forward to the challenge.

* * *

Someone was shaking her awake.Dylan was warm and comfortable, damn it. She didn’t want to go anywhere. She opened her eyes and…growled.

Her father was standing over her, staring down at her. Anger on his face and his arms crossed. What had she donenow?

“Just what are you doing, sleeping with that man?”

“I think it’s rather obvious,” Dylan said, sitting up quickly. AsFletcherdid the same, right next to her. “I was sleeping. In case you missed it.”

Well, it was also news to her. She’d give her father that, but what was her father even doing there again anyway? She was now on Fletcher’s lap. And, well, it was morning, and Fletcher was aman. A young, perfectly healthy, very—um…virile…man.

She could feel obvious proof of that before her right palm. She moved her hand—fast.

Dylan felt her cheeks flame.

“No kidding.” Fletcher glared at her father—and his brother. “I’m going to change the damned locks this afternoon. What in the hell do you two want now?”

Fletcher’s hand was on her hip, holding her right there in place.

“Careful. Anyone messes up my filing system will pay. In dire ways,” Dylan said, grabbing a pile of receipts when Ben almost sent them to the floor. She looked at Fletcher, heat hitting her cheeks. “We worked too hard last night for you lunatics to just mess it up.”

She’d apparently slept the entire night in his arms. Soundly. She hadn’t woken even once. Well, except that one time when the house had been dimmed and there had been a slight chill in the air and she had just snuggled closer without thinking about how crazy it was.

Because it had felt right and good and like she was exactly where she was supposed to be.

Where she wanted to be. She’d felt safe in his arms last night.

She’d never forget his blue eyes staring at her then—as he’d pulled her even closer. And just held her. As she had pressed even closer. Not a word had been said, but they had both been awake and well aware of what they had been choosing. She’dchosento sleep in Fletcher’s arms. All night long.

Wow. This was a bit unexpected here. “Guess we fell asleep. Nothing more sleep-inducing than tax deductions.”

“Yeah.” He rubbed a hand over his face. Strawberry-blond hair stuck up everywhere. His hair curled, just like his brothers’. It made her want to touch… “Forgot to set the alarm. I need to get outside. Ben can help me with the stock.”

“I’ll have breakfast ready when you get back,” she said softly, momentarily ignoring her father staring at her like he had a right to just barge in. Again. “I think we got all of it finished last night.”

“Hallelujah. And thanks.”

“Yeah.” Her eyes met his.

And nothing felt the same.

It probably never would again.