“We make a good team,” I praise once we’re done and we start cleaning up.
“Yeah, we do, sweetheart.”
“I’m going to feel you every time I move today,” I mock grumble as we get ready for work.
“And that’s a problem because…?” he teases. “Since I think the last two times were you attacking me, I think you bear some responsibility.”
“Maybe so, but I’m not the one who’s packing what you’ve got,” I sass, giving him a pointed look.
CHAPTER
TWENTY-FIVE
Abyss
Walkinginto the shop with Shelly in front of me has me grinning from ear to ear. Hands down, these past few days have been some of the best of my life. It’s not even about finally claiming her as mine, although that ranks up there. It has more to do with the fact that it was so easy between us. Knowing that we’re finally where I knew we would be has me wanting to take on the world, no holds barred.
“I’ll get the computer up and running,” Shelly says as she hits the button to turn on the coffee pot.
“Then I’ll be right back, gotta get my woman her go-go drink,” I reply. Her radiant smile directed at me has me grinning back at her.
“Don’t forget the apple fritter,” she teases as she heads down the hallway toward the front reception area.
“Like I’d forget that,” I holler before I go through the back door.
By the time I make it back with our drinks and pastries, she’s on the phone with someone. I set her drink and apple fritter next to her, getting a soft smile, then I head into my room to prep it for my first client of the day.
“Well, I have one on the books for today myself,” she says, walking in a few minutes later, her drink in hand. “And it’s a new client, not one of my old ones who is making the trip!”
“I told you that would start happening,” I reply.
“I know, I know, but it’s awesome when things start to really come together.”
I grab her empty hand and pull her onto my lap before kissing her soundly. “Sounds like you’re all loved up or something,” I tease.
She shrugs then says, “There’s always room for more of that, just saying.”
“Come on, I had a text from Mongrel that the latest order came in, and he just set the boxes inside the inventory room. We can get it all put up before either one of us has to start laying ink,” I reply.
“Are other couples like us, do you think?” she asks later that day.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, I know that some people can spend all their time together and don’t have a problem with it at all, while others seem to need the break of work. I like being with you, though. Is that weird?”
“It’s what works for us, so I don’t think it’s weird. I know there’ll be times that I’ll be away on club business, but when I’m not, there’s nobody else I’d rather be with, even if you do have questionable taste in movies.” She looks at me in shock until I burst out laughing. “Just kidding, sweetheart. I know you’re not a fan of horror movies, so I’ll hold off on watching them until I’m away with the brothers.”
“I promise I’ll never share with anyone that you enjoy watching rom-coms,” she says, her face serious and her hand up in what I suspect is the Vulcan sign, not the Girl Scouts pledge.
“Appreciate that, babe, really do,” I retort as I pick her up and spin her around. When Rod Stewart’s song, “You’re in My Heart” comes on, I start dancing with her, softly singing the lyrics in her ear as she melts against me. It may be an oldie but it’s definitely a good one and it epitomizes how I feel about her.
“You just made another dream come true,” she tells me as the song finishes and I dip her low.
After kissing her, I ask, “How so?”
“Uncle Mack and Marcella used to dance around the kitchen, sometimes to slow songs, other times to fast ones. I always wanted that because even though I was too young to know what intimacy was, I knew it was something important. Now that I’m old enough to understand that it’s more than sex, I hoped I would have it for myself someday.”
“Sweetheart, I’ll always gladly show you my moves,” I say, kissing her again. “Now, let’s get this place cleaned up so we can head out.”
