Leanne was caught between sleep and wakefulness when the bedroom door creaked open again. The sound of steady, unhurried footsteps approached the bed.
The mattress dipped slightly as the other half of the down comforter was pulled back, and a faint, refreshing scent of cedar, reminiscent of morning mist in a forest, enveloped her. He didn't want to wake her, so he used the guest bathroom to freshen up.
Feeling secure in his presence, Leanne instinctively snuggled closer, wrapping her arms around his waist. She felt warm and soft, filling Curtis' arms.
He wrapped his arms around her, his voice low with concern. "Did I wake you?"
Partially awake by then, she shook her head against his chest. "I was half expecting you."
Far from being a saint, Curtis found himself unable to resist her sleepy charm.
He gently brushed her hair to the side, planting soft kisses on her eyes, delicate nose, and lips.
With affection, he teased, "My little snuggle bug." The nickname stirred a sweet, tingling sensation in Leanne's heart. She responded with a kiss, making up for the earlier distance.
But her rare display of passion seemed to ignite Curtis further, and when she felt a physical response from him, she paused, curious to see more.
Caught between amusement and resignation, Curtis gently lifted her chin. "Let's not start something we can't finish tonight. It's late, and you need your rest." She'd been sleeping poorly lately, often waking up in the middle of the night. Curtis knew his self-control around her was weak, but he wasn't that desperate. Under the soft orange glow of the night light, Leanne's clear and moist eyes held his gaze.
Her sudden movement made Curtis catch his breath, his voice tightening. "What are you up to?"
"I want to help," Leanne whispered, cheeks burning.
He indeed wanted that.
Loosening his grip, Curtis pressed his forehead against hers, his voice husky. "You've been naughty. Learning tricks online?" "Self-taught," Leanne admitted.
Despite her inexperience, her eagerness to learn was a plus.
Curtis held her close, his face buried in the crook of her shoulder, his breath hot against her skin.
Afterward, he tenderly cleaned her hands with a wipe, his movements careful and gentle.
Once they were lying in bed, Leanne fiddled with the buttons on his pajama top, fighting the urge to sleep.
"Not sleepy?" Curtis observed.
"I want to spend more time with you. You've been so busy lately."
The quiet summer night spread around them like thick ink. Curtis twirled her hair around his finger, explaining, "I've been finalizing some details with Vector Vista. There's a signing ceremony coming up, and we're launching a new financial product."
"Do you have a celebration dinner tomorrow night?" Leanne asked casually.
"Yeah, why?" Curtis replied, seemingly indifferent.
"Can I come with you?"
She looked up at him, her eyes catching the dim light, making them appear deep and mysterious, like a forest pool untouched by moonlight.
"Clinging to me much?" he teased.
"Don't you like it when I'm clingy?" Leanne challenged.
"I do." Curtis' smile was a promise, "I'll have Jake pick you up after work."
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