He dragged his eyes away from Thea. “Cupid?”
“Yes, Cupid,” she declared.
“Cupid,” he repeated. “I like it.”
22
TWENTY-TWO
When an exhausted little girl and her new puppy had fallen asleep and been carried up to bed, they finally got a chance to talk.
“So, Mackenzie chose on her own to go to the parlor?”
“Yes,” Thor replied. “Daisy said she saw Mackenzie walking alone on the street, and when she didn’t see you with her, she followed her to make sure she was all right.”
“Hmm,” was all Thea managed. “I saw you kissing her.” She kept her voice neutral.
“No, you saw her kissing me. It wasn’t reciprocated.”
She still suspected Daisy had a larger ulterior motive behind her actions, but nonetheless, she was grateful an adult Mackenzie knew had been with her from that point forward.
“Did Mackenzie tell you why she left school alone without permission?”
“She was very upset at the thought of you leaving, and had noticed her teacher used a different door from the kids. She was smart enough to figure out if she used it too, she might escape unnoticed.”
“Was she trying to run away?” Worry filled Thea’s eyes.
“I think that’s possible, but she seemed to instinctually know to go to someplace familiar.”
“Thank God the school isn’t too far from the parlor.”
“I know. I’m grateful for that.”
“How do we handle making sure she doesn’t think running away is a solution to her problems?”
“We talked about it—as extensively as you can with a five-year-old. We’ll reinforce appropriate responses as we move forward. It’s all part of bringing up a child, Thea.”
Thea nodded. She had a lot to learn.
“It’s great that BRG could track the car following Mackenzie and me around—I was furious at the congressman for putting a tail on me without telling me.”
“You’re sure you’re okay with walking away from that assignment, Thea?” Thor asked, his eyes watching her closely.
Thea looked down at the diamond ring glistening on her hand, still getting used to it’s weight on her finger. Zee hadn’t been the only one who’d gotten a wonderful gift today—.
When Thea looked back at Thor, he was smiling, and her breath quickened as he took her hands in his, heat pooling between her legs. His eyes darkened—he didn’t miss a thing.
“Very sure. No regrets,” she assured him.
“What was that date again?” she asked, breathlessly. If his eyes and simple touch could ignite this much hunger in her, she could only imagine what it would be like to be his wife—in every way.”
“We talked about a Christmas wedding.”
She groaned.
“I agree, it’s too far away. Maybe we should move it up.”
“What if we just do something small, Thor. Just my immediate family, yours, a few of Mackenzie’s closest friends, and of course the BRG Security crew? Enough people so that Mackenzie can be the flower girl—we can’t disappoint her—she never stops talking about it.”
“Are you sure? This will be your first wedding, Thea.”
“It will be my first and last,” she added with unswerving emphasis. “It will be a first for a lot of things for me—“ She let that hang for a minute, her voice sultry, and a smile swept across her face at the glimpse of hunger in his eyes.
He was constantly giving her a taste of what was to come for them—a brush of his hand on her hip, his hands resting lightly on her side next to her breast, his fingers tracing her face, neck, and collarbone. Simple yet unbelievably sexy looks and touches that drove her wild. He deserved to squirm in return. Who knew that flirting could be so much fun, while driving one wild at the same time.
She licked her lower lip, watching his eyes hungrily follow the trail, and he pulled her to him for a kiss, and then pulled her out of the chair and into his arms, backing her against the kitchen island.
“You’re sure this is all new to you?” he asked, nibbling at her ear, “Because you drive me absolutely crazy.”
“Oh, did I neglect to tell you?” her eyes feigned innocence. “I have a new research project…”
His eyes burned into hers, and he placed his hands palms down on the island, on either side of her; they stayed like that for what seemed like an eternity. She felt the passion escalate between them. Her eyes explored his soul and she lost all track of time—until his hands began to move up her arms, and she shivered as they continued to her face.
Her arousal was a slow burn, and she moaned as he gently cupped her chin, and moved in, kissing the base of her neck where her pulse throbbed. Breathing her in, and nuzzling her neck.
“Enough, Thor,” she gasped. “And yes, we need to move the date closer…would next week work?” she asked, only half in jest.
“Not soon enough. But yes,” he whispered softly.
THE END
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Kate Cambridge is the author of thirteen books and counting. She writes historical (The Choice Brides Suffragette Series) and contemporary romance books—with an occasional twist of intrigue, and always with a thread of hope.
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