Tyler chuckled. “Does your mother know?”
“Yes, not that it’s got anything to do with her.”
Tyler snorted. “That’s never stopped Elizabeth before.”
“I intend to marry Yvonne, once she gets over this stupid friend business. Mum will have to accept Yvonne and her boys or she won’t have any family left.”
“What about Dad?”
“Dad just wants us both to find happiness,” Nolan said. “He’s changed during the last couple of months. He seems more content and active. Less depressed and moody than we’re used to.”
Yvonne and Susan returned and took their seats.
“Anyone for dessert? They do an excellent Tiramisu here,” Susan said. “The gelato selection is delicious too. Or coffee?”
Good god!He couldn’t sit through dessert and coffee. He leaned toward Yvonne. “Do you want to go soon?”
“Already?” she asked in surprise.
In answer, he took her hand and placed it on his lap. She froze, then a saucy grin split her face. “I fancy a coffee. Is anyone else having one?”
A low growl escaped him, and his brother smirked. Nolan shot him a dark scowl.
“Nolan is feeling tired,” Yvonne said.
Nolan growled again and decided spanking was looking good.
“He doesn’t need to growl like a grumpy bear,” Susan chided.
Yvonne cackled. Actually cackled like an evil cartoon character.
“We’ll get you a coffee at the hotel,” he said, standing abruptly. He didn’t care if anyone noticed hiscondition. He handed Tyler a wad of cash to pay for their dinner. “If I’m playing rugby tomorrow I need my rest.” He held out his hand in a silent demand.
Yvonne winked at Tyler and Susan and rose. “It appears we’re leaving. Thanks for the company.”
“Good move,” Nolan growled when she grasped his fingers. “If you’d dallied any longer, I would’ve carted you out dangling over my shoulder, and to hell with the stares.”
“Well,” said Susan. “I think I’m offended.”
“I’m not,” Tyler said, and Nolan heard the humor in his brother’s voice before they’d left earshot. “We can have an early night now.”
The cab ride back to the hotel was mercifully quick.
“That was a bit rude,” Yvonne said.
“They’re family. Tyler understood.” He wrapped an arm around Yvonne and drew her against his side for the short ride to their hotel.
“Good evening. Hey, aren’t you that guy on the reality show?” the man behind the desk asked when they walked past to reach the lifts.
“No,” Nolan said.
“People tell him that all the time,” Yvonne said, laughter shading in her words. “I think the man on the show has a bigger nose. I think he might get a stomach paunch when he gets older.”
Nolan grit his teeth and urged her onward. They stepped inside the waiting car. Once the door closed, he moved, crowding her against the mirrored wall. “A big nose and a paunch?” His hands molded her to his body while he claimed her mouth in the way he’d wanted to for hours.
Some of his impatient tension left when her soft lips accepted his, cushioned the hard edge of his kiss. Her eager participation further blunted his frustration. God, she tasted good and the feel of her curves pressing into him…
Damn, this bloody just-friends thing.
