“Try is not an option. Secure the bag, Theodore.”
“What’s the bag?”
“My niece,” she whisper-shouts, then turns me toward the door. “Just go get her.” And with a slap to my bum, she sends me on my way.
I glance back at her, and she angrily points toward the main store, so I move forward. As I approach, the subtle sound of music spills through the hall. I’m not ashamed to admit it, but I’d know that voice anywhere: Harry Styles.
She has good taste.
Then again, she must if she let me kiss her.
If only Rupert was around to hear me say that.
Him and the stupid fucking lobster roll. If I was a lesser man, I’d hope that he choked on it, but I’m better than that. At least I like to think that I am.
“Aunt Kitty, do you need help?”
Shit, she’s getting impatient.
Have to make my move.
I head toward the end of the hallway, peek around the corner, and find her with her back to me, standing right next to the bar, so I take that moment to walk right up behind her and loop my arm around her waist.
“What on earth?” she says just as I spin her around, catching the look of utter shock in her eyes. “Theo,” she says in a breathy tone. “Wh-what are you doing here?”
Her eyes search mine.
Her tongue wets her lips.
And when she doesn’t pull away, I believe this to be a complete success.
“Thought I’d come home early and surprise you.” I sit her down on one of the barstools and press one of my hands on the counter behind her, while I keep my other arm wrapped around her. “Are you happy?”
“I…I wasn’t expecting you.”
She’d never claim to be happy to see me, not right now when she’s still trying to deny me and put up the front of not liking me, but she still hasn’t pushed me away, so I continue to take that as a win.
“I can tell, but that doesn’t answer the question. Are you happy to see me?”
Her eyes land on mine, searching.
Her back melts into my embrace.
And her hands creep up my chest.
Smiling, she says, “No.”
I knew she’d say that.
“Such a fucking liar,” I reply as I tug her closer and wait for her to push away one more time, to give me any sort of hint that she doesn’t want this. But when she keeps me in place, I take that as the go-ahead.
I close the distance between us and, with my hand gripping the counter, trapping her in, I inch in closer and closer, just a mere inch from her lips.
“Say it, Gossy. Say you missed me.”
“Never,” she whispers as her hand moves up to my neck.
“So stubborn.”
