She searched his face, maybe looking for the truth—a truth he hadn’t yet acknowledged to himself. Rather than dig the hole deeper, Stack said nothing. He didn’t trust himself.

She withdrew her hand but only to lock her arms around his neck. “When you’re around I don’t get much sleep, but you always make the tiredness worthwhile.”

The vise on his nape loosened. Not only did Vanity skip past his invitation, she lightened the moment, letting him off the hook.

And that, too, made her special. “So you do get tired? And here I was beginning to think you had more stamina than a champion fighter.”

“Mmm.” Her fingers sank into his hair. “My stamina has improved with all our bedroom...exercise.”

Before she totally distracted him with sex, Stack nodded to Maggie and Norwood. “The dogs could be considered protection.” The reason fucking Phil first claimed to get them.

“No.” Vanity scowled at him for making the suggestion. “I don’t ever want them to be in a position of having to protect me. They could get hurt, and then I’d never forgive myself.” She turned to the dogs with a fond smile. “Plus, they aren’t mine. I know eventually your mother will want them back.”

“They’re Tabby’s dogs, not Mom’s.”

The look she gave him spoke volumes. “F’ing Phil may have gotten them for Tabby, but they’re your mother’s dogs now.”

True enough. “About that quickie...”

This time it was her cell that rang. Vanity laughed at his crestfallen expression, patted his chest and located her purse on the counter. She dug out the cell. The second she answered, she looked guilty and turned her back on him.

Stack worked his jaw, fighting the surge of jealousy. He had no reason, he reminded himself, so to give her privacy, he picked up his coffee and left the room.

* * *

VANITY ONLY HALF heard Tabby’s invitation. She was too busy wondering if Stack’s departure meant he trusted her, that he didn’t care if she spoke to another man, or that she’d offended him when she turned her back.

Truthfully, despite the amazing progress they’d made and his request that they be exclusive, she still felt very unsure about things. This new facet to their relationship was tentative at best, and she didn’t want him to read too much into his sister’s call. If he wasn’t feeling as full steam ahead as she was, he might get spooked by her rapidly growing relationship with his family.

“So, what do you say?” Tabby asked. “Want to see a movie with me tonight?”

“I can’t. I have to get my hair and nails done, and then I’m seeing your brother again.” Saying it aloud made it all the more real, and she couldn’t keep the fat smile at bay.

She and the awesome Stack Hannigan were a couple. Her heart danced as she thought of it.

Bummed, Tabby said, “Oh. Okay. I understand.”

Inspired, Vanity ventured forth an invite of her own. “Want to join me at the salon? We can get the works together. Mani, pedi, facial, all that.”

Tabby heaved a long sigh. “Oh, God, that sounds so amazing. Like heaven. Absolute heaven. But I can’t afford it. It was stretching the budget just to consider the movies.” She laughed. “I should be buying laundry detergent, but I really wanted to see you, so...”

“It’ll be my treat.” Really getting into the idea, Vanity said, “Let me, please. You’d be doing me a favor, keeping me company during the whole thing. The salon can be so boring. Please? Will you join me?”

A moment of silence, and then: “Seriously? You’d do that for me?”

“I would love it, I promise.”

“Are you sure you can get an appointment? What if they can’t fit me in?”

“Trust me. They’ll love the idea as much as I do.” And if she had to promise triple in a tip, she would. “So, what do you say?”

Tabby screeched, making Vanity laugh as she held the phone away from her ear. “Yes! I say yes, yes, yes! Oh, thank you. It’s been forever since I’ve gotten pampered. Oh, my God, I have goose bumps. Goose bumps!”

Gratified by that response, Vanity told her what time and where to meet her, then she ended the call and tapped in the number for the spa. Her stylist was more than happy to arrange things for Tabby, especially since another stylist had the opening.

With that done, Vanity went to look for Stack.

She found him in her bedroom, standing at the window and looking out at the yard.

Without a word Vanity skimmed off her jeans and socks, then her heavy sweatshirt, T-shirt and cami. To gain his attention, she closed the door with a click.