Her heart fluttered. “I’ve hardly kept you from my bed, Galen,” she whispered. “But I look forward to any . . . punishment you think I deserve.”
“You are too damned tempting, Myka,” he growled low in his throat.
“Don’t think it hasn’t been hard on me either. Patrick still in the living room?”
He nodded. “I think he’s getting tired. He’s starting to doze off. I figured I’d come see the most beautiful woman in the world, who is soon to be my wife, while he falls asleep. Then I’ll carry him to bed.”
She stepped out and closed the door behind her before leaning against it. He put his hands on each side of the casing and crowded her with his huge frame. The heat radiated off him and seeped through her skin.
“Not happening tonight, mister. Surely we can control ourselves the night before our wedding.”
When he bent down and blew softly over her ear before nibbling her lobe, she thought maybe she was wrong. Maybe even one night away from him was too much to ask.
“How about if you come to the barn tonight after Patrick is safely in bed and I simply hold you in my arms?” he murmured next to her ear before kissing a path along her jaw.
“I have serious doubts”—she moaned when he nipped at her neck—”about us sharing a bed and only cuddling.”
“I think we can manage.” He straightened and stared down at her.
She reached out and ran her fingers along his chest, down his abs, then lower, stopping just above where his cock was now straining against his jeans. She arched a brow. “You think so?”
“I have amazing self-control when I put my mind to it.”
“I have good self-control too,” she said indignantly.
“Shall we put it to the test?” He shifted until his body pressed against hers.
“Deal,” she choked out.
He leaned down and treated her to a toe-curling, scorching kiss. “Deal.”
She groaned when he turned and swaggered back to the living room. He was so going to pay for that later.
Chapter Fifteen
“You look absolutely beautiful, dear.” Betty hugged Myka.
“Yes. She does,” Galen said as he walked up beside her.
“Thank you.” She wasn’t used to so many compliments and tried to hide the blush heating her cheeks. “Have either of you seen Patrick lately?”
“I believe he’s helping himself to another piece of cake.” Galen chuckled.
“I better go and make sure it’s the last piece, or you will be up with him all night with an upset tummy, Betty.”
“I’ll go. You visit with Betty.” Galen bent down and kissed her on the cheek before making his way toward Patrick.
“My, my but he is a looker,” Betty said before blushing.
“He is, isn’t he?” Myka ogled him as he walked away.
He’d worn dark jeans, a dark blue shirt with a blue tie that was two shades lighter, and a black jacket—the latter he’d removed a few minutes earlier. She was positive she’d never see another man who could wear a pair of jeans like Galen. His lean hips and perfect ass were swoon worthy, and if she were a maiden from times past, she was sure she’d faint dead away at such a glorious specimen of male flesh.
Earlier, she’d gotten ready at the courthouse to keep Galen from seeing her dress before they got married. While Patrick had proudly walked her down the short aisle to her waiting groom, her knees had nearly turned to jelly when Galen’s heated gaze roamed her from head to toe and back. He made her feel sexy, and she couldn’t wait to get him home. She still owed him for the relentless torture he’d put her through last night with his kisses and caresses, then withholding what she really ached for.
It had been her own fault. She’d been the one who’d wanted to forgo making love last night, the one who’d issued the challenge on self-control. She’d lost terribly. Tonight, however, she planned to make him do a little suffering before she gave them both what they wanted. He wasn’t the only one who could tease mercilessly. Not to mention, she’d enjoy every bit of the playful payback knowing it would end with them both replete and happy.
Although she was no fool. She’d have to remain focused the entire time because one touch of his clever fingers, and she’d go up in flames. Lose all logic thought. Give in to the pleasure only Galen could bring her. When he glanced her way, she smiled wickedly at him. She wasn’t surprised when the corner of his lips turned up in a sexy smile as if he already knew what she was up to.
“I have lots of activities planned for me and Patrick. You don’t worry about him at all.”
Betty’s voice brought her brain out of its lust-induced fog. “I don’t worry when he’s with you. You have been wonderful with him and are a cherished friend to me.”
Tom came up and gave Myka a hug. “Congratulations, Myka.”
“Thank you, Tom.”
“I think you picked a good one.”
“I think so too,” she said.
“Hello, Betty.”
“Hi, Tom.”
“I was wondering if you would like to go to dinner with me tomorrow night.”
“I would love to, but I’m watching Patrick for the next few days.”
Tom smiled warmly. “That’s no problem. Bring him along.”
“Oh.” Betty grinned, then blushed. “That would be nice.”
“I’ll call you tomorrow,” Tom said before turning back to Myka. “I’m going to go congratulate Galen now.”
She didn’t miss the way Betty watched him as he made his way to Galen. Could there be something going on between Betty and Tom? She raised a brow and smiled. They would make a cute couple, and they both deserved happiness. She couldn’t think of two nicer people as a couple.
Three hours later, after much mingling and laughing, Myka and Galen were saying their good-byes. Myka was sure many of the townspeople would hang around after they left since there weren’t a lot of options for entertainment close by.
“You be a good boy for Betty.” Myka kissed, then hugged Patrick.
“I will be. I always have fun at Betty’s house. I just wish Leroy was still here,” Patrick said.
“I think you’ll have more opportunities to play with Leroy in the future.”
“I sure hope so.”
“Come with me to the truck. I have something for you before we leave.” Galen motioned for Patrick to follow him. “You should come too, Myka.”
She glanced at Betty with raised brows. “What is he up to?”
“You’ll just have to find out, dear.”
They followed Galen, Patrick asking him what he had for him every step of the way, and Galen patiently telling him he’d have to wait and see. When they got to the truck, Galen reached into the bed and pulled out a big, fluffy ball of fur. Patrick screeched in delight when Galen handed him the red hound dog puppy.
“For me?” Patrick cried out as he hugged the puppy that was nearly as big as he was to his chest.
“Yep. All for you.”
“How did you find the time to do this, Galen?” she asked with a smile.
“Tom mentioned something about a place he was delivering hay to that had puppies. When I said I thought that Patrick would love one, he offered to pick this little guy up this morning before the wedding.”
“He’s not such a little guy, but he’s adorable.” She bent and gave him a pet and a kiss on the head. “Look at all of those wrinkles.”
“I’m going to call him Oscar,” Patrick said.
“You can name him whatever you like.” Galen grinned at Myka, and her heart melted.
“Thank you, Galen!”
Galen squatted to his knees, and Patrick jumped into his arms with the puppy. Galen gave him a big bear hug, careful not to squish him or Oscar, then sat them down. “See you in a couple days, kiddo.”