Reggie couldn’t help laughing as he got the puppy out of the saddle and hat. He left the three behind, rejoining Maggie in the living room.
“Nice job avoiding a slaughter in there,” he said to her, still grinning.
Her eyes sparkled. “I try to keep the peace around here.”
He loved seeing that joy, and the kernel of happiness normally buried under stoicism and duty sprang to light inside him.
Her eyes remained warm, but her smile faded as she watched him.
As if the time with the children hadn’t happened, his mind immediately recalled the feel of Maggie in his arms. Her mouth, her smooth skin under his palms…
“Um, er, about before…” She blew out a breath. “I, ah…”
“Yeah.” He sighed. “We really need to do that again.”
She blinked at him and slowly smiled, her grin dazzling. “We do, don’t we?”
He nodded and rubbed his head, doing his damnedest to will away his growing arousal.
“So, I wasn’t too grabby or anything?” Maggie’s cheeks turned pink. “I want to say I’m sorry for dragging you down for a kiss. But I’m not.” She paused, watching him. “Should I be?”
“Hell no.” Reggie knew if he kissed her again, he’d want more. So, instead, he drew her into his arms and carefully hugged her, conscious of her hurt arm. He pulled back to look down at her. “But maybe the next time we kiss, we do it where there aren’t any kids around.”
Her eyes widened.
He realized she might think he only wanted to get together again for sex and said, “I mean, I want to kiss you. But we could slow down, have dinner, talk. Then, well, you know…”Making a mess of it here, dude.“When you’re ready,” he added.
She nodded. “And when you’re ready.”
“Hell, I’m ready now,” he muttered.
She glanced down at his fly and gaped. “I’ll say.”
“Damn, Maggie.”
She surprised him by laughing so hard, she started crying. “I’m sorry. It’s just… The girls have the worst timing. But I guess it wasn’t so bad. I mean, I shouldn’t be jumping the guests.” She wiped her eyes. “Heck. I’m sorry, Reggie. Not for the kiss, but for my timing. You poor thing.”
He saw the humor in it, but fuck, he wanted her right now.Bad.Hearing her laugh turned him on.I’m such a weirdo.“Yeah, talk about getting grabby…with one hand.” They shared more laughter and teasing.
“I’d better go.” He took her hand in his and kissed the back of it.
Her eyes darkened as she looked up at him. “You should go. You’re not safe here.” She tugged him toward her, and he leaned closer. She gave him a quick peck on the lips. “If you stay any longer, you might not leave. Ever.” She gave an evil laugh.
Not leaving sounded just fine to him.
“Why? Do you have a bunch of bodies under your bed?”
“Yes. And a bunch of etchings you really need to see. Come back with me to my bedroom,” she teased. She couldn’t know how much he wanted to take her up on her offer.
“I would, but then the girls might get an X-rated introduction to magic baby beans.”
Maggie cracked up. “You really got put through the ringer tonight. The girls, me. I’m going to start calling you Saint Reggie.”
“Please, don’t.” He brushed a lock of her hair behind her ears, loving the fact she tensed when he touched her. He tried not to look but couldn’t help noticing the hard points of her nipples beneath her T-shirt. “I’ll pick you up tomorrow morning at nine thirty, okay?”
“Sure.” She nodded. “What?”
“For your appointment to get a cast.”
