“It’s hard work, but I had to give it a shot.”
Mack laughed and shook her head, but there was something like fondness in her voice when she said, “I can be an idiot sometimes.”
“Takes one to know one.” Skye dropped the smile, and the hand on Mack’s shoulder clenched like she was trying to rip it off. “Treat her right, or you’ll answer to me.”
A lump formed in Kayla’s throat and tears filled her eyes, but she didn’t ruin the moment by letting them fall. Mack nodded and released Skye’s hand. She gave Kayla a little wink, then wrapped an arm around Amy.
Skye tried to pull Amy away, but she nimbly dodged aside and stepped a little too close to Kayla. She still had that sweet smile pasted onto her lips when she said, “Now that everything is settled, I just wanted to remind you. I’m an orthopedic surgeon. I know precisely how to separate every joint in the human body. If you ever kiss my wife again, no one will find a single part of your body. Not even a finger.”
Kayla’s mouth dropped open, and she stood, staring in horror. Amy kept smiling. She didn’t look the least bit angry. She looked perfectly cool and confident. There was a lightness in her, but Kayla had a sneaking suspicion that she would make good on the threat.
Kayla swallowed hard and said, “Understood.”
Skye let out a shaky breath, but she was staring at Amy with an undeniable hunger. “Babe?”
Amy hopped merrily as she turned and took Skye’s arm. She looked back to give them a wave and said, “Safe travels home.”
They only made it a couple of steps when Kayla’s brain kicked into gear and she called them back. “Hey, wait. You said wife. In all the confusion, I forgot, but how could you have gotten to your wedding ceremony when you were helping me?”
Amy shrugged. “Oh, we actually got married on the first day.”
Kayla swayed in confusion. “What?”
Skye scratched the back of her neck, her typical gesture for embarrassment. “We arrived super early and, well, we were excited. We convinced the wedding team to do a quickie ceremony for us right around lunchtime. Then we spent the rest of the day in our bungalow.”
Kayla’s jaw dropped. “So, I was too late even before I started my plan.”
Amy hopped on her toes, looking a decade younger. “Yeah, sorry.”
“Why are you apologizing to me? I’m so happy I didn’t screw anything up.”
Skye wrapped her arm low around Amy’s waist. She spoke to Kayla, but she never took her eyes off her wife. “You didn’t. It was a fun adventure. Brought us closer together.” She jerked her chin toward Mack. “Did the same for you two, didn’t it?”
Mack pulled Kayla into her arms, and Kayla melted into her embrace, more content than she had ever been. “Damn right it did.”
As they turned to go, Amy said over her shoulder, “Guess your Plan of Seduction worked out after all.”
Kayla turned in the circle of Mack’s arms. Looking up into those gorgeous eyes, she locked her fingers behind Mack’s neck and pulled her down. “Damn right it did.”
Epilogue
Kayla’s sandals slapped hardagainst the cheap vinyl floor as she stomped toward the single luggage carousel. It looked exactly as it had a year earlier, surrounded by little huddled groups of excited tourists and smaller, more tightly huddled groups of airport personnel. She stopped beside Mack and crossed her arms over her chest, letting her annoyance out in a huff of breath.
Mack looked over at her, a thin line creasing the skin between her eyebrows. “What’s got your panties in a twist?”
Kayla fought to keep her frown in place, though a smile was begging to come out. “I told you last year, I hate that word.”
Mack leaned in, one eyebrow arching, and her voice humming with that seductive purr Kayla had become so fond of. “And this year, I know exactly what kind of panties you wear. And when you aren’t wearing any at all.”
The tropical humidity had nothing on the flush that heated Kayla’s cheeks. She hadn’t thought Mack had realized in the rushto leave the house that morning. Somehow, Mack knowing that Kayla had chosen her favorite dress and no underwear for this trip made the choice all the more delicious. What else did Mack know about her plans? Probably everything. After all, Mack could read her like a book and for some reason still enjoyed the story.
With one final wink, Mack stood straight and returned her attention to the immobile luggage carousel. “So, what’s got your lack of a thong in a twist?”
Grumpiness settled back in Kayla and she stomped her foot. “The stupid passport official wouldn’t tell me if Skye has arrived yet. Same with the desk agent for United.”
“Remember how last year I specifically requested you not get arrested for bribing a passport official? That goes double this year. I can’t have you wearing shackles to our wedding.”
A burst of warmth bloomed in Kayla’s chest, and she pried Mack’s arms apart so she could wrap her midsection in a hug. Pressing her cheek to Mack’s chest, she said, “Only one ball and chain for me this trip. I promise.”
