David was the first to look away, but he was smiling. It turned even sweeter when his eyes landed on Mati.
She’d curled up like a cat in the chair next to David’s to “rest her eyes” about two hours ago and hadn’t moved a muscle since. She’d had a hell of a day between the trip to Chaz’s office, the bank, and the marathon—and ultimately pointless—review of Reese’s real estate holdings and documents.
“Her neck is going to be sore in the morning,” David observed, adjusting the blanket they’d tucked around her. “Maybe it’s time to take a break and get her into bed.”
Reese stood, groaning as he arched his back into a stretch. “That’s a great idea.”
David stood, too. “Think she’d kill me if I carried her?”
Reese smiled, remembering the last time David had asked, and gave a completely different answer. “I think it would make her happy.”
David scooped her into his arms, tilting his head toward the door. “Lead the way.”
Reese held the door while David pivoted to get Mati through without hitting her head or legs. Reese caught a glimpse of the smile on Mati’s lips as she burrowed against David’s chest.
“This is nice,” Mati murmured.
“I’m sorry we woke you,” David said as they strode through the front hall.
Hodges popped out of the kitchen and watched, agape, as David bounded up the stairs as if Mati weighed nothing.
Reese shrugged helplessly at Hodges, who snorted and watched David disappear down the hallway with a shake of his head.
Then he winked at Reese. “Go get ‘em, tiger.”
“Oh god,no. You—”
Before Reese could fully convey his horror, Hodges was gone, cackling as the door swung closed behind him.
David’s voice reached him from above. “Reese? You coming?”
Chapter Thirty-Two
David set Mati on the bed gently, but her eyes still fluttered open. As soon as they focused on his face, she smiled.
David’s heart did a funny jig in his chest.
“Thank you for carrying me,” Mati said, her voice husky from sleep.
“Reese assured me you’d like it.” He felt pinned by her warm brown eyes, even though he was the one hovering above her.
“I did.”
“Are you telling on me?” Reese asked. He was leaning against the door, his arms crossed over his chest. He was ridiculously handsome.
David’s heart did that same damn jig again. God, he was happy, really happy, but it was laced with fear. To have found this,them, seemed miraculous, but nothing was certain.
He opened the buttons on Mati’s blazer and she sat up enough to shrug it from her shoulders. He curled his arms around her, unhooked her skirt, and was in the process of sliding the zipper down when Reese put his hand on David’s back, his long fingers spanning his shoulder blades.
David stilled, his cheek pressed to Mati’s.
She nuzzled him. “You always take such good care of me,” she said softly.
“Of us,” Reese agreed.
David finished with the zipper while trying to shrug. He could feel Mati’s smile against his cheek, which was warming with their praise.
He stood and helped Mati to her feet. She shimmied her hips and her skirt fell to the floor.
