Mazzy leaned her head on my arm, her silky hair brushing my skin. “Things don’t have to change just because you sign this. I’d like to continue as we have been. This is just for our protection. Both of us.”
“I hear what you’re saying,” I muttered, shifting so I could curl my arm around her. “I don’t like the idea that either of us needs protection from the other.”
She tipped her head back to meet my gaze. Her eyes were a cloudless sky, pretty and serene. “I don’t think we will, but when it comes down to it, we’re two strangers who met on a plane.”
“Right.” My head dropped. I wasn’t one to admit defeat easily, but hearing her say that did me in. “Funny, you don’t feel like a stranger to me.”
“Me either. It’s really easy to get swept up in you, Ben Wells. That’s how we got here in the first place. But I’ve got Katty to think about, so I’m trying to be a little smarter this time.”
I nodded. “I know you’re right.” I reached for the pen again, ready to sign before my heart could argue with my head, but she swatted my hand away.
“Ben!” she cried, ducking out from under my arm.
My brow furrowed. “What? Isn’t this what you wanted me to do?”
“You didn’t even read it.” She plucked the pen out of my hand and pointed it at me like a weapon. “I forbid you to sign anything until you’ve read itandhad your lawyer look it over.”
I turned to face her. “You forbid me?”
She jutted out her chin, like she was a tough guy. If I hadn’t been so upset, I would’ve thought it was cute. “That’s right.” Then she gave my chest a shove. “Don’t be dumb.”
“Maybe I want to be dumb.” I folded my arms across my chest, fighting a grin despite myself. “You can’t stop me.”
She wagged the pen at me. “How are you going to sign it without a pen?”
“You think that’s my only one?”
I turned to open the drawer, but something small and plastic dinged my forehead before I could.
I froze, blinking in disbelief. The pen clattered to the floor.
Mazzy’s hand flew to her mouth, and her eyes rounded in surprise. “Oops,” she gasped, her voice strangled with laughter. “I didn’t mean tohityou.”
I rubbed the spot. “You threw a pen at my face, but didn’t mean to hit me?”
She was already giggling, trying to look apologetic and failing miserably. “I usually haveterribleaim.”
“Right.” I straightened slowly. “Now you’ve done it.”
“Ben, I’m really sorry.” She backed away as I took a step toward her.
“It’s too late. You're in trouble now.”
I lunged, and she yelped, darting around the counter. I caught the hem of her shirt, but she wriggled free, laughing and squealing.
“Stop! You’ll make me—” Rounding the corner, I hooked an arm around her waist, hauling her back against me.
She shrieked and twisted, trying to escape, but I tickled her ribs until she was gasping and smacking at my arms.
“Okay, okay,” she cried between laughs, her head falling against my chest. “Truce! You win.”
I stilled, her words distant as her soft body melded against mine. I hadn’t intended to put us in this position, but now that I had her in my arms, memories of the last time she’d been there came rushing back.
Heat. Her mouth on my neck. Driving into her. Arching hips. Clawing fingers. Endless need.
Blood flooded my core so fast my vision went spotty. The last thing Mazzy wanted or needed was my erection prodding her very lush ass, so I yanked my hips back and loosened my hold enough for her to turn around and face me.
That wasn’t any better, though. Not with her flushed cheeks and bright, shining eyes. I was thinking about kissing her, but even I wasn’t dumb enough to do it.
