I waved a hand at him. "You. You're funny."
He frowned harder and his biceps flexed, which only made me laugh harder. "I don't understand."
"You're wearing the grumpy face right now," I said, giggling like an idiot. But there was no stopping it.
Marcus seemed to realize what he was doing because his face cleared and he dropped his arms to his sides.
Since I was still snickering, Callum changed the subject. "Merry was worried about you missing out on the planning session and getting hurt when we go on our mission. I was just trying to reassure her that even if your grumpy self wasn't present, you've done missions like these for longer than the United States has existed and you would be fine."
I picked up a pen and flicked it in Callum's direction. "You don't have to repeat everything that I say," I griped.
He caught the pen in mid-air. "I didn't."
I rolled my eyes and looked back at Marcus. "I just thought it would be best if you were in on all the details," I said to him.
"I understand. Thank you for your concern, but Callum is right. We've been a team for a long time and we work well together."
"Okay," I sighed.
Callum clapped his hands, which made me jump. "I have an idea! Why don't you two have a nice dinner and a quiet night in while I'm in town?" He looked at Marcus. "Merry could use some relaxation. And probably a massage. My back is killing me so I'm sure hers hurts as well. She doesn't heal as fast as I do."
Oh, he was so damn lucky I'd already thrown the only pen on the desk at him. Otherwise, I would have done it at that moment.
"Is your back okay?" Marcus asked.
"It'll be fine after a little stretching and a glass of wine," I answered. I shot Callum an angry look, which seemed to slide right off him.
"I'll see the two of you in the morning," Callum said as he gathered up his things. "I probably won't be back until after you both are all tucked up in bed."
The innuendo was heavy in his voice and if I'd had the ability to kill with my eyes, his carcass would be smoking on the carpet.
"I'm going to go start dinner," Marcus said. "Is there anything you'd like?" he asked me.
"Anything is fine," I answered.
As soon as he left the room, I lunged at Callum and pinched his side. He didn't have a lot of extra flesh around his abdomen, but I got a good grip.
"Ouch! Hey!"
"Why are you such a pervert?" I hissed. "Or were you just born that way?"
He rubbed his side. "Pretty sure it's genetic as my father had a way with the ladies—"
I reached toward him again and he ran backwards, lifting his hands in surrender. "Okay, okay. I'll stop."
"Stop meddling," I said. "We'll muddle through this on our own."
"Muddling is about right," he muttered.
"Oh, and your love life is better?" I asked, arching my eyebrows at him.
"Ouch." He grimaced. "Okay, good point."
Shit. He laughed and joked so much that I forgot he had feelings underneath the amiable facade.
"I'm sorry. That was rude." I cleared my throat. "I appreciate what you're trying to do, but Marcus and I are awkward enough as it is and it only feels worse when you start in with the innuendo. I...like Marcus. A lot. And I think he likes me, too."
"You know he likes you," Callum said. "But I understand and I'll back off."
