“Trust me. I’d never confuse you two. Ever.”
He grinned. “I hope not.”
She snorted. “No way I’d ever sleep with Xavier. He’s a dog.”
“Right?” He followed her out in search of his socks and shoes. “I know you didn’t ask, but I haven’t been with anyone in about four months. I wore a condom then too.”
“Good.” There. She turned pink again. Cass was shy when it came to talking about sex? How sweet…and unexpected.
He finished putting on his boots and stood. “What about you?”
“Me?” she squeaked and tried to hide it with a cough.
He forced himself to keep a straight face. “Well, health is something we both take seriously. It’s a legit question.”
“True. I haven’t been with anyone in a while.”
“A while?”
She frowned, which oddly amused him. “A year and a half, okay?”
He stared. “But why?”
“Why?”
“Yes, why? You’re hot as fuck,” he said bluntly and thought she might have liked that because her expression turned shyly pleased. “And you’re funny.”
“You think I’m funny?” She looked flabbergasted.
“Yeah. And you like sports. You have the trifecta of woman gold. I’m surprised you’re not married with five kids already, to be honest.”
“You and my dad,” she muttered before clearing her throat. “I love being a cop. Work comes before relationships, and a lot of guys can’t handle that.”
“I hear ya.” He sighed. “Work is my everything right now. When I’m not working, I like hanging with the guys.”
“Not your family?”
“Well, no. I love them, but we’re all very different people. I’m a fireman. They’re all cops. I mean,all. My mom still works in admin, my dad’s retired, and my three brothers are still active.”
“I know what you mean. Both my parents are healthcare workers, and I’m in law enforcement.”
“But you care for people.”
“I do, but it’s not the same.”
They looked at each other. She blushed again, though he wasn’t sure why.
Seeing her so open, so beautiful, he wanted her even more now, something strange gathering in his chest as he watched her. But before he could figure it out, she was literally pushing him toward the door and shoving his jacket at him.
He laughed as he resisted, making her work harder. “I take it this means I’m not invited to move in? No short engagement?”
“Shut up.” She chuckled. “And stop pushing back against me. If I let go, you’ll fall.”
“Nah. You’re strong. You’ll catch me.” But he did straighten and walk to the door. Before he opened it, he turned and gathered her in his arms. “One last kiss before I go? And Cass, you don’t need to worry about me kissing and telling. This was just for us, okay?”
She seemed to believe him because he could see the smile in her eyes. “Okay.”
He kissed her, and like before, fireworks blazed between them. But Mack understood what she wouldn’t say—that today had been more than she’d expected. It had been a lot more than he’d expected, at any rate. And he needed to figure out his next move.
