“Twenty-two.”
My brows pull together. “What?”
His thumb skims my cheek as his eyes meet mine. “Twenty-two freckles. Just like the last time.”
“You counted?”
“Of course I did. How would I know if I hadn’t?” He brushes a strand of hair behind my ear. “Did you know they become more prominent when you blush?”
“No.” I slide my hands over his shoulders, my fingers tangling in his hair. “Is that why you always made me blush?”
“It’s part of the fun.” He grazes his teeth over his lower lip, his voice turning more serious. “You good? No regrets?”
I shake my head. “I could never regret you.”
It’s the truth.
Good or bad, it doesn’t matter.
Not where he’s concerned.
Tilting my head, my mouth meets his in a slow kiss. A graze of the mouth. Leisurely exploration. I nip at his lip, coaxing his mouth open. A low groan escapes him when our tongues tangle together. He grips me harder, tilting my head as his tongue sinks into my mouth. My legs wrap around his hips, pulling him flush against me.
“Jessy? The door was ope—Shit!”
Matthew and I break apart and turn toward the doorway where Mae is watching us with a smug grin on her face.
“Do you not know how to use the doorbell?” I ask, glaring at my best friend.
“I used the doorbell! Not sure a bomb exploding would have made much difference.” Her knowing gaze takes us in. “Just fake, huh?”
“Mae!”
Matthew chuckles, his head burrowing in the crook of my neck. I pinch his side. “Don’t encourage her.”
“Oh, I’ve seen enough! Sorry, not sorry.” She lifts a duffle before dropping it on the floor. “Your clothes are here, andapparently there was no need to pack sexy undies. Such a shame.”
“Mae!”
“I’m leaving. I’m leaving.” She points her finger at me. “But I’m expecting a full report later.”
Groaning, I let my head fall back and just stare at the ceiling. Matthew is still laughing at the whole interaction.
“It’s not funny.”
“It is. A little bit.” I lift my head so I can glare at him, but that doesn’t frighten him in the least. “You know, it would be a shame to let those sexy undies go to waste. Just sayin’.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
MATTHEW
When I get to the station the next day for my shift, I spot Nico standing and talking to Mary. I pull out my phone and press dial. The phone beeps a few times, so I wait, my eyes glued to the couple across the room. Nico nods at whatever Mary says, his hand reaching into his pocket and pulling out the phone. When he spots the name on the screen, his head snaps up, our gazes connecting across the room.
I hang up as I make my way to them, my jaw feeling tight. Mary gives me a sympathetic smile as she leaves us alone.
“So, you do know how to answer your phone,” I mutter as I come to a stop.
Nico sighs. “I’ve been a little busy over here, Rookie.”
