CoyoteWhispers by Rhian Cahill Page B

sure Dale gets the keys,”
Steve said.
    “I’m fine, just a little tired and my feet are cold.”
    Steve stood and scooped her up in his arms.
    “Hey.”
    “Hey, yourself.”
    “Put me down.”
    “I will.” He walked across the room. “Just as soon as I get
you in the bedroom. Say goodnight, Gordie.”
    A chorus of goodnight Gordie echoed behind them as
Steve strode along the hallway leading to the bedroom.
    Gordie yawned again. She really was tired. Maybe she’d just
lie down for a few minutes. Steve deposited her on the mattress and stood with
hands on hips beside the bed.
    “No arguing, you’ve got dark circles under your eyes. I bet
you didn’t sleep at all last night, did you?”
    She ducked her head. There was no way she could sleep after
finding that dress on her bed, not even with her sister in the room down the
hall. “No.”
    “Just as I thought.” He reached over and pulled the covers
back. “Come on, ditch the pants and climb in.”
    “Ditch the pants?”
    “You can’t sleep in those. Leave the shirt on though, it
gets chilly even with the heat on.”
    Before she could move he’d snagged the end of the bow and
yanked the drawstring loose. Gripping a bunch of fabric in each fist at her
hips he tugged the sweats down her legs and threw them in the general direction
of the dresser.
    “There. Climb in. I’ll go see to our friends and be back
before you’ve missed me.”
    “Who said I’d miss you?” She smiled around another yawn and
her eyelids grew heavy.
    “Me.” Steve bent over and gave her a smacking kiss on the
mouth. “Rest. I’ll be right down the hall.”
    “Rest with me.” Her eyes closed.
    “Later.”
    “Okay.”
    “Back to agreeable Doc, I see.”
    “Only until I sleep.”
    Steve chuckled. “Doesn’t matter which Doc you are, I’m still
glad you’re in my bed.”
    “You just liked the sex.”
    “Gordie.” His fingers brushed her cheek.
    “Mmm…”
    “Sleep.”
    “Night.”
     
    Steve gazed down at a sleeping Doc and tried not to climb
into bed with her. He still had to go out and deal with their friends and he
wanted to be sure Dale kept him in the loop about her house and the clinic.
Anger still burned in his gut when he thought about her not calling him last
night. She wouldn’t admit it but she was still holding him at arm’s length. A
smile stretched his mouth. There would be no holding him off now.
    Doc was right, he had enjoyed the sex but it had been far
more than a physical act. He’d finally been buried inside her after years of
dreaming about it. No fantasy he’d concocted came close to the real thing. Now
he wanted a repeat but she needed to rest and he had to sort out a plan of
defense because there was no doubt in his mind that Marcus was back on the
scene. In fact, Steve was pretty sure the man had never left.
    He tiptoed from the room and pulled the door shut, leaving
it open a crack so he could hear Doc if she called out. Quiet voices drifted
down the hall, they grew louder as he made his way back to the dining room. The
table had been cleared and everyone sat with a mug of coffee, at least he
thought that’s what he smelled. Obviously Kat’s talents weren’t just with food.
    “How is she?” Kat asked.
    “Asleep.” She eyed him through narrowed lids. He knew what
she was really asking but he wasn’t getting into that with her. “Later.”
    Steve spied a spare mug and picked it up. The aroma rose up,
teasing his senses with the taste to come. He sipped, the hot liquid filling
his mouth, spilling over his tongue. Damn, whoever made this knew what they
were doing. Taking a bigger drink he walked out of the room and headed for the
garage. They’d left Doc’s purse in his truck when they rushed inside earlier.
He placed his mug on the table beside the garage door as he walked past.
    He retrieved her bag from the truck and headed for the
button to shut the roller door and pressed it, but movement at the end of the
driveway caught his