I looked at the clock on the oven and nodded, taking another bite.
“Thank you so much for stopping by. You’re always welcome here.”
“I’ll make sure I call next time, and whatever you’re doing with Marcus, keep it up,” she said, standing up and lifting Phoebe from her cat bed for snuggles. “He has this crazy idea in his head he has to stay single because he’s on the force, but really, he’s just closing himself off from everyone who loves him.” Bev reached out her hand, and I grasped it in mine. “You’re good for him.”
“Oh, we’re not, I mean, we haven’t. Not that I don’t want to. Complicated,” I said, stuttering through the words.
“You don’t have to explain anything to me. I’ll support my boys with whatever they choose. Thank you for the coffee.”
“Anytime, Bev.”
I followed her to the foyer, and she turned around, giving me a soft smile that made her eyes sparkle, just like Mark’s.
“Bye, Jenna. I hope to see you again soon, and I’ll be sure to bring you a bonsai. You have quite the green thumb.”
“Thank you, Bev. Me too.”
I gave her one last wave and stood on the porch with Phoebe until she backed her car out of the driveway and headed down the street. Walking back into the house, I put the rest of the cinnamon rolls in the fridge and rinsed out the coffee cups. Taking the overripe zucchini out of the fridge, I headed out to the porch to feed Gretchen breakfast before getting ready for work.
As I pulled into the driveway, I couldn’t figure out how I was home only seven hours later. Mark’s truck was already here, and I unlocked the door, calling out a greeting. While I was waiting for an answer, I pulled out my phone, deciding to text the girls and see about switching things up.
Me: Anyone mind if I invite Mark tonight?
Addison: Oh, I wish you would. I’d love to meet the man that dry
humped you to orgasm.
Annaleigh: Duh. Broody Max wants to thank him.
Olivia: GIF of a cat jumping up and down
Me: I need to talk about this. Are ya’ll going to make it weird?
Addison: Why would we make it weird? I only want to thank his magic cock for dragging the stick out of your ass. You’ve been burning the candle at both ends. Something had to give, and I’m glad it led to an orgasm.
Olivia: Damn, Addison.
Addison: What? It’s true.
Annaleigh: We won’t make it weird. Mark, Max, and Edward can talk about guy stuff at the bar for a while and let us chat.
Me: He might not say yes. I’m so confused.
Annaleigh: Um, yes, he will. See you soon. We’ll talk about everything.
I put my phone back in my pocket and listened for any other sounds in the house. It was silent. Weird, since his truck was here. I walked to my bedroom, stripped off my clothes, started the shower, and grabbed a towel. I was anxious to tell the girls about meeting his mom and the job offer, but I didn’t know how to start. I wasn’t used to being indecisive.
I was closing the bedroom door when I heard Mark yell my name. I grabbed my robe from the back of the bathroom door and slipped the silk over my shoulders, cinching the waist and walking to the living room.
Mark was dressed in black athletic shorts and a gray tank top. His shirt was sweaty and clung to his skin, but instead of wrinkling my nose and insisting he take a shower, I wanted to lick his neck and taste him.
“Jenna,” he rumbled, noticing me when he turned around.
His muscles rippled as he strode forward, fisting the knot in my robe and pulling me flush against him. He used his other hand to grab the back of my neck and kiss me fiercely, his tongue sweeping into my mouth as he growled low in his throat, grinding his hips into mine obscenely. I wrapped my arms around him and pressed my chest to his, sucking on his lower lip and nipping lightly.
He pulled away, pressing his forehead to mine and breathing heavily. “I missed you today.”
“Woah. Going from zero to full contact, Officer Handsome.”
