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“I’one now

Now is a good ti her full on Nate sat virtually naked just inches away Thanks to her extra bright flashlight she saw every bare inch of hi her otherwise, Lauren let her gaze roam from his face across his shoulders and chest and down his torso Not an extra ounce of flesh existed on hi the track her eyes had just taken, she spotted the Marine insignia tattoo—the eagle, anchor, and globe—on his upper right bicep near his shoulder Back in high school she never would’ve guessed he’d get a tattoo, yet it looked good on him Almost natural, if that was possible

“Thanks” Nate’s voice washed over her, tugging her back to reality His hand oosebumps on her skin

Lauren met his hazel-blue eyes, unable to look away For a moment it felt as if the clock had turned back fifteen years As if drawn by a pulley, she leaned forward intent on one thing, kissing hiain A sudden shift on the mattress when JoJo leaped on the bed broke whatever spell she’d fallen under With a jerk, Lauren pulled her arain, Lauren focused on the wall behind hiht in the bureau if you need it” She sensed that he wanted to say so back to bed See you in the ” Lauren took a few steps toward the door, but when JoJo didn’t follow she stopped “Co looked up in response to her naet off the bed Instead she settled her head on her paws Prepared to pull the dog off the bed, she oose He doesn’t want you to sleep in here tonight”

“She can stay if she wants”

Lauren’s hand paused above the dog’s collar “Are you sure? She likes to hog the bed”

“Positive Leave her”

Don’t argue Leave while you still can After she gave JoJo one final pat, she retreated back to her own room and away from the temptation that Nate presented

With one hand she covered a yahile the other poured an extra-largeof coffee After the restless sleep she’d had, she needed all the caffeine she could get Thank goodness the poas back on Before doing anything else, she took a long s of the French-vanilla coffee Coars, it was the perfect h her body, warood fifteen minutes earlier, the house still remained on the chilly side It would probably take another hour or so before it reached her preferred temperature

After a few more sips she moved on, prepared to tackle breakfast The weekends were the only ti the week she opted for things like cereal with fruit or yogurt h, she didn’t need to rush, so French toast or homemade waffles often made the menu

So far she’d heard nothing from the spare bedroom In case that meant Nate still slept, she tried to be quiet as she , she’d gotten used to not worrying about waking someone else up Even if she didn’t wake him, at so up the scene last night or let it go? He’d brushed the drea The expression on his face said otherwise Granted, people experienced nightmares all the tiht wasthat happened often

It’s none of s into a bowl and then added some vanilla and milk Nate had family and friends to talk to He didn’t need her interference Besides, if she tried to help he ht now she didn’t need that co well Too much interaction with Nate could jeopardize that relationship With ether with the vanilla and ar and cinnamon to theout her skillet, and turned on the stove All the while though, she kept an ear tuned for any movement in the spare bedroom If he didn’t wake up on his own soon, JoJo was sure to wake him JoJo aloke her on the weekends when her bladder could wait no longer

Nate felt the last remnants of sleep drift away With reluctance, he opened his eyes An unfa slept with its head resting on the other pillow Instantly his brain kicked in Meh his head Lauren’s house In one s over the side of the bed and stood Without even bothering to grab his jeans, he reeted hier fell, but at least a foot of the white stuff covered the backyard If he hoped to leave anyti what he needed to do, he stood at theIt had been a while since he’d seen snow like this If the temperature stayed as cold as it had been, this snoould be around past April Fool’s Day