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“I know.” He shakes his head as worry etches his features. “This one was worse than the last. Mrs. Gibson left another pan on the stove and forgot about it. The cat knocked a bowl off the shelf above the stove and started a grease fire. It was just last week when they moved back in after getting the window and drywall replaced in the kitchen. This time, the floor caught just as much damage.”
“Is their son taking it seriously this time? Surely, he’ll do something before tragedy strikes.” Fear skates along my spine. I’ve known Nelson and Mabel my entire life. Nelson came to my dad’s hardware store every weekend to grab home modeling supplies. The man was endlessly tinkering on his house. But now, he’s nearing 80, and he nor his wife have any business cooking.
“He relented last time to give them their way.”
“Surely, he sees how dangerous this is. I know he loves his parents and hates to see them lose their independence, but he’ll feel guilty for the rest of his life if something happens to one or both of them.”
Cole squeezes my shoulders and kisses my temple. “I think this one is hitting hard.”
“Good.” I point to the building at the end of the next block. “That’s my place, right there.”
He whistles. “That’s a nice place.” He waggles his eyebrows and grins. “Are you sure he isn’t putting you up here for an ulterior motive?”
“Stop.” I glare at him and elbow him in the ribs. It’s hard to keep from laughing at his teasing, but I’m beginning to like playing games with him as much as he appears to enjoy starting things.
“I’m joking.” He stops without caring if anyone is going to run into us and kisses me until I forget what we are talking about. The man’s lips are as deadly a weapon as his fingers.
I shiver and pull back. “Don’t plan to end all arguments with that.”
He arches an eyebrow. “What argument?”
Shit. What were we talking about? “Damn it.” I stomp the toe of my shoe on the cement. “I don’t remember.”
He chuckles and wraps his arms around me. “I don’t think we were arguing.” I sigh and settle against him, loving the feel of his arm and body surrounding me. I could stay like this forever. “I call it foreplay.”
Arguments. The condo. Damn him. I pull back and cross my arms over my chest.
“Damn, you’re sexy when you’re pretending to be angry.” His eyes dance with humor.
“I’m going to smother you.” It takes everything I have not to break out into a fit of laughter. I’ve never been this happy before.
“You not only could.” He slings his arm around my waist and directs me toward the front entrance of my building. “But you 100% will in about five minutes. Ten tops. Now, get going.”
Fuck it. If he wants to end all arguments by giving me an orgasm, I’m going to let him win.
Seven minutes later, we’re inside my condo, and he’s walking me backward toward the oversized white sofa. “I’ve missed you.”
“Have you?” With each step, I drop another piece of clothing, not caring for one second that I’m naked and he’s still wearing jeans and a T-shirt. He’s the one who wants to stop arguments with sex, so he’s getting his wish.
“Yes, I have.” He leans down and whispers in my ear, “Where should I start in reacquainting myself with you?” The huskiness of his voice sends a shudder along my spine, and goosebumps cover my arms.
“Be creative.”
“Yes, I think I will.” He laces his fingers through my hair and nuzzles along my jaw, down my neck, and from one breast to the other as I whimper with enjoyment.
“I’ve missed you, too.”
He flicks his tongue over my nipple. “Me or my mouth?” He places his thigh between my legs and rocks into my core.
“Both,” I moan. Why didn’t we do this sooner? I wasted my time with my ex when I could have been doing this. He sucks the tip of my nipple into his mouth and tugs. “That feels so good.”
“Good.” He glances up with a serious expression on his face. “I don’t want you only wanting me around for sex.”
I cup his cheeks as he straightens. “The sex is great, but I like you. I love your sense of humor and your loyalty to Connor and to my family. I’m proud that you chose to become a firefighter and help people. Even though it freaks me out. And I adore that you put so much effort into pleasing me. No one has ever made me feel more special, and you’ve barely tried.”
His eyebrows arch upward again. “Barely tried?”
“See.” I laugh and shake my head. “You make everything fun. Even serious conversations are lighthearted with you.”
