Maggie’s eyes fill with compassion, and it pisses me off that my sister threw my business out there. “It’s not a big deal. It was a long time ago,” I say, kicking at the post of the fence. “Something I wish I could have told you, instead of having it come from my sister.”
Tessa shrugs. “He doesn’t like talking about that kind of stuff. It’s been a while for him when it comes to dating, so be patient with the big lug.”
Maggie smiles sweetly at me, her eyes locking with mine. “That’s not a problem.”
“Are you done?” I ask, and Tessa just smiles like the pain in the ass she is.
Then out of nowhere, she throws her hands up dramatically. “Oh shit. I forgot to put the alarm system on at the shop,” she says in pure, animated horror. “I have to go back! Like, right now!”
If I weren’t onto her charade, I would be more concerned. Instead, I eye her. “Oh no, please tell me more about the alarm that wasn’t set by me.”
She waves me off. “You did it wrong. Duh! I have to go. I hate to do this, but I’ve gotta cancel dinner. But hey, Maggie loves everything I got, so you two can eat it. Together. In your house. And maybe ask some questions you want the answers to.”
“Oh no, I couldn’t. I didn’t mean to interrupt your dinner. I know how important they are,” Maggie says quickly, guilt written all over her face. “I’m so sorry.”
Tessa waves her off. “They are, but something has come up, and I can’t ignore it.”
“Tessa,” I try, but she shakes her head.
“Sorry. Rain check?”
She wraps her arms around my neck, hugging me close. I hug her back as I sigh deeply. “You’re doing too much.”
In my ear, she says, “This is it, Mot. Don’t overthink it.”
She pulls away and squeezes my arm. Then she looks at Maggie. “I can’t wait to get to know you.”
“I want the same, but are you sure you need to go?”
Tesse feigns sadness. “Unfortunately. But my brother is in great hands.”
She waves to us, and then she’s off. I watch her get into her car before I look back at Maggie. “You know she did that so we could be alone, because apparently I’m over here dropping the ball left and right.”
“Oh, totally. I have four sisters. I can see meddling a mile away.”
We share a smile. “But I’m not upset about it. I want to spend time with you.”
“Me too,” she says softly.
I don’t know who moves first, but together, we walk to the end of the gate, and I open it for her. I hold it for her as she stepsthrough, her eyes on me. The tension between us burns like the setting sun, and I can’t help but look at her lips. They’re so plush, and I wish I hadn’t waited so long to kiss them. Her two front teeth sink into her bottom lip as she looks away, a blush creeping up her beautiful face, and I’m gone for her.
I blow out a breath as we walk up the drive to my clinic. I unlock the door for her, then relock it before we head up the side to the entrance to my apartment. I try not to look at her ass as we climb the stairs, but that would be like asking a bookworm not to buy books at the bookshop next door.
When we enter my apartment, Kip goes absolutely batshit since Maggie is in his home. He jumps into her arms, and she coos and loves on him as I set the food on the side table, along with the loaf of bread. I shake out my hands as I watch her fuss over my dog, until I can’t take it anymore.
Once I make sure the door is locked, I say, “Kip, go to your bed.”
He listens, running to his spot in the middle of the living room, which makes Maggie look up at me with a pout.
“Hey—”
“No,” I say as I step into her personal space. “Because my lips want yours, and I can’t wait another second.”
And then I reach for her, bringing her into my arms and cupping her jaw before I tilt it up for my mouth. She doesn’t even look surprised—no, not Maggie Welch. My girl looks eager right before her eyes fall shut and our lips meet.
Yeah, it’s fucking heaven.
She tastes like something sweet, maybe strawberries, and I want more. I press into the small of her back, bringing her in closer as I run my tongue along the seam of her lips. She moans into my mouth as she opens for me, and I’m a fucking goner. I stroke her tongue with mine, basking in the feel of her as heat gathers at the base of my spine.
