“Hands off everything? Or just what’s on the stove?” His breath tickled her neck as he spoke.
“The food,” Mallory managed to respond, ignoring the heat blossoming from her core.
Goosebumps spread across her flesh from the close contact. Even though he’d showered with her bodywash, she was surrounded by his masculine scent, and she wanted nothing more than to get close enough to be consumed by it. Remembering that they weren’t alone, she turned and gave him a quick kiss, effectively dismissing him so she could finishcooking without either ruining the meal or embarrassing herself in front of Dan.
She was aware of Dan and Christian sitting at the table having a quiet conversation as she boiled the pasta and tossed some garlic bread into the oven. It didn’t take long to finish cooking the meal, but by the time they sat down to eat she was able to relax and enjoy the fact that Christian and Dan seemed to be getting along. Crisis averted.
CHRISTIAN
Chris tried not to stare while Mallory was bent over the dishwasher adding their dinner dishes. She had refused his help telling him no guest was allowed to do any chores their first time over. Doing dishes sucked, so he wasn’t about to argue. Plus, she’d taken a shower and changed into a tank top and some tiny shorts. He hoped she would bend over just a little further so he could get a glimpse of heaven.
“Have you heard from your brother?” Mallory asked while she dried her hands on a dish towel.
“Yeah. He said to keep him posted.”
As an owner-operator, Robbie was able to park his truck and fly home if he had to, but it wasn’t a simple thing if he had a load. They were counting on his mom to remain stable. Doctors were hesitantly optimistic. Chris still wasn’t completely comfortable leaving her bedside, but she was right. He was exhausted.
“And your daughter?” Mallory had made her way over to him and seemed nervous to ask about her.
“Yeah. She’s worried, of course. I explained that I would need to figure things out for her summer visit. Even if I use up all my PTO, I’m not sure I’ll be able to get all those days off in a row. My ex is the one giving me shit about it, but that’s no surprise.” He looked up to find Mallory watching him closely. “I’m sorry. You didn’t ask all that, did you?”
“Just because I didn’t ask doesn’t mean I don’t want to know. I’m just trying to figure out how to navigate this. My piece of shit ex was the only serious relationship I’ve been in. We weren’t married and have no kids so he’s a non-issue. And I’ve never dated anyone with kids,” Mallory sat beside him and looked down at her hands as she spoke. “What I’m trying to say is, I don’t want to overstep.”
Chris covered her hands with his. She looked up at him, her blue eyes a sea of uncertainty behind dark lashes. Without hesitation, he cupped her face and gently stroked her cheek with his thumb. A soft sigh escaped her lips as she closed her eyes and leaned into his touch.
“You could never overstep. I’m pretty sure that possibility ended today.”
He wasn’t sure when the change happened, but it felt silly to behave as though they had just started seeing each other, even though they had. The strange part wasn’t that they’d apparently skipped the stage where things were new, it was that he wasn’t bothered by it. Like Mallory, he’d only had one serious relationship, and that was with his ex-wife. Since then, he avoided them. But with Mallory, he wanted more.
“Stay the night.”
Chris was torn. There was nothing he wanted more than to fall asleep with her in his arms. His discussion with Michael flashed before him. He was honestly able to deny sleeping with Mallory. He wasn’t sure he’d be able to stay over and that still be the case. He also had to think about the fact that he was keeping things from her. She’d taken the news about Liliana in stride. She wasn’t happy that he hadn’t told her, but she was understanding. He wouldn’t get that lucky twice. Finding out his best friend was married to her brother would be a different story.
“Please?” she prompted when he didn’t give an answer.
“I really shouldn’t,” he hesitated.
“What are we doing here?” she asked. “I know we’ve skipped past acquaintances, but what does that mean? If you haven’t noticed, I like to feel in control of the situations I find myself in, and I can’t be in control if I don’t know what’s going on. Right now, I feel off balance and I don’t like it.”
Her vulnerability was disarming. He’d observed all of those things, but it was something else to hear her put it into words. They weren’t acquaintances. They were much more than that, but he’d given his word to Michael that they weren’t sleeping together. So, what were they?
“We’re us,” he said softly, brushing a kiss against her forehead. “I’ll stay. But I’ll take the couch. I’m glad you’re here for me with everything that’s going on with my mom, but don’t feel like it has to be anything more. I backed out of my overtime, so I’m off this weekend. Keep me awake so I can get on a normal sleep schedule.”
“Okay,” she quickly agreed. “Find something to watch, and I’ll get some sheets and blankets.”
She disappeared down the hall and Chris went to the living room to turn on the TV. He’d had a feeling she would relax once she realized he didn’t expect sex, and he was right. Truth be told, he relaxed as soon as sex was off the table. Even the thought of sleeping with her without being completely honest with her made him feel like shit. But he still wanted her. He turned Netflix on and waited for her to join him.
Her arms were piled high with blankets, sheets, and pillows. She could barely see around everything as she walked into the living room and set everything down. Wordlessly, she covered the couch with a sheet and folded a blanket on one end before placing a pillow on top.
“Sit,” Chris requested. “Your day has been just as long as mine. Relax. I’ll rub your shoulders. It’s the least I can do since you cooked for me after the crazy day we had.”
Season one of Grey’s Anatomy started as she sat down on the floor between his legs. “Grey’s? I didn’t pin you for a soap opera type.”
“It’s not a soap,” Chris argued. “It’s prime-time TV at its best. You don’t like this show? Believe it or not my mom watches religiously every Thursday night.”
Chris felt her relax under his touch. Her head tipped forward before she responded. “Oh, I love it. But you know it’s just a glorified soap opera. I’d think your mom would be a bigger Station 19 fan.”
He kneaded her muscles, concentrating on the knots. Ignoring her sighs was impossible, since they spoke straight to his libido. Visions of her blue eyes looking up at him, her sighs of pleasure filling the silence as he buried himself inside her, flashed before him. Her eyes wide and glistening with tears as she took everything he was willing to give …
