“Do you want me to lie to you?”
Enzo’s eyes lit up as he nodded. “Lie to me, Claudia. Tell me I’m your first.”
Russ snorted, Linc’s head fell into his hands, and Mackenzie and Molly both grimaced.
“We’re so very sorry for Enzo.” Molly announced to anyone in ear shot. “We don’t let him out much. He’s not yet fully house trained.”
Claudia waved her off. “It’s okay. Yes, Enzo.” She fanned herself with the book. “You are the first person to ever pull an Uno reverse card on me in the check presenter.” She tossed her head back and a melodic fake-laugh spread through the space. “You’re soooooo smart and funny.” She batted her eyelids and pushed his shoulder playfully.
Enzo preening could probably be seen from outer space. He pointed finger guns at Austin. “You better leave her a big tip, Big Daddy.”
Artemis appeared over Claudia’s shoulder, his stern face a stark contrast to the amusement of the Snow Pirates. “How was the food?”
Appreciative murmurs rippled around their table, and Russell leaned back in his chair and patted his stomach. “It’ll taste better tomorrow when you get handed our bill.”
Artemis’s lips twitched. “Fighting talk.” He turned his attention to Austin. “You coming to the game?”
“I would not miss it for the world.”
“Good. I’ll leave a Raccoons shirt for you at Will Call with your tickets so you’re wearing the right colors to celebrate our win.” With a grin at Claudia and what Austin imagined was supposed to be a subtle glare at… Enzo? Artemis went back to his table.
Mackenzie tapped Claudia on the forearm. “Can I ask you for one last thing before we get all the way out of your beautiful hair, please, Claudia?”
“Sure thing.”
“Can you take a group photo of us at the swing?”
Fifteen minutes later, three hundred pictures taken – because someone’s eyes were undoubtedly closed in every fucking take – and goodbyes for the night said, Mackenzie and Austin stood next to his rental truck.
“Are you still okay to come with me to check out this building? It should not take long. I just need to make sure the promotional pictures they sent are not misleading. But if you are tired, I could drop you back to the hotel first.”
She shook her head. “I’m good.”
“Are you sure? You seemed unsettled during dinner.”
She snorted. “You think?”
“Is something the matter, Love?”
She narrowed her eyes at him, before poking his left pec with a perfectly manicured finger. “You know damn well there is, Austin Morgan.”
He shrugged, reached around her, and opened the passenger door. “I have no idea what you are talking about.”
“We’ll see about that.” She stepped through the open door and slipped onto the seat. By the time he’d circled the truck and took his own seat, she’d popped open the buttons and slipped her hand into her pants.
Minx.
“Mackenzie.” His voice carried warning as he started the car.
“Yes, Sir?”
He growled in response before plugging the address into the GPS and easing out of the parking lot into the light traffic.
“Is something wrong?” Her voice was breathy as her hand moved, making his balls tighten.
She was close.
She moaned and dropped her head back onto the headrest. “Austin…”
