“Yeah, no prob sis,” said Dan uncomfortably.
Pippa just grimaced. “Are they always like this?”
“This is tame,” said Philip turning towards Dan and Pippa. “So, before the rest of us lose our breakfast can I interest you two in a tour of the area?”
“Cool,” cried Lizzie, assuming the invitation extended to her. “I don’t have any money on me.”
“No problem,” said Juan smiling at Tasha.
Jim reached into his pocket and passed a handful of notes from his wallet to Juan who waved his hands to signal that he didn’t want it.
“Please take it, get this lot some lunch or something,” Jim told him forcefully.
“Come on then.” Philip was already heading for the door.
Tasha chased after them and called Dan and Pippa back. “You’re welcome to stay here. You really don’t have to go out.”
“Stay here and watch you and Jim drooling? No thanks.” Dan grinned and wiggled his eyebrows.
“I’m all for the tour if it’s all the same to you,” Pippa agreed.
“Okay, but take some cash.” Tasha handed each of them some U.S. currency.
She closed the front door behind them and immediately sensed Jim behind her and within seconds he confirmed that as his arms wrapped around her waist while he began to nuzzle her neck.
“You have no idea how pleased I am to see you.” He tightened his grip on her.
“Probably as pleased as I was at the prospect of seeing you at the airport.” Her reply was deliberately curt.
“I know, baby, but it couldn’t be helped.”
She turned herself around so that she was facing him now annoyed that he considered that any kind of explanation. “Why?”
“Why what?” Jim was apparently confused.
“Why couldn’t it be helped? What was so important that you chose Mickie over us, over me?” She was desperate to keep her tears at bay or he would focus on that and not on replying. More than that he would refuse to discuss what had happened to call him away for fear of upsetting her further.
“Oh Tasha, I didn’t. It was the exact opposite, honey,” he said sincerely.
“I don’t understand. Explain.”
“We can talk later and I’ll tell you everything, okay?” he said as a statement more than a question.
“Tell me now.”
“No. Later,” replied Jim as he moved closer to her where brushed her hair back off her face before lowering his lips to hers.
In her head she was telling himnobut her heart, or some other part of her anatomy overruled her as she greedily kissed him back and was more than happy to fall back against the door as he pressed himself against her.
“Now—” he loosened his grip on her. “Assuming you were joking about Mike receiving my welcome at the airport, I believe you have a welcome just for me.”
“I think that particular welcome is still at the airport,” she replied seriously.
“Then we have a choice, baby; I am happy to go and collect my welcome from LAX if you are more of a method actor or we could just do it here if you are into improvisation. The choice is yours.” He arched a brow.
“Definitely improv’.”
He backed away, allowing her to approach him and as he wrapped his arms around her she embraced him tightly with her arms around his neck and her legs around his hips.
