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He rubbed his cheek against hers. “Took nerve, you know.”
“You’ll need nerve, hanging out with me.”
And they came together again, sucked into the heart of that apocalyptic kiss. Her heart bumped like it wanted to jump out of her chest, and her soul ached to braid itself together with his, and the world went away—
Except that the world started honking the car horn and strobing the brights against the garage wall. Smart-asses.
Kev popped open his door. “Hey! Save it for later, Romeo.”
Bruno cupped her face, stared into her eyes, breathing hard. His color was high. “Goddamn it,” he muttered.
She pulled his face back down, kissed him hungrily. “You be careful out there. Or I’ll kill you.”
His grin flashed as he got in, and the vehicle was in motion before the door swung shut. Fleeing Bruno’s hell-bitch girlfriend’s irrational demands. Headlights cut out abruptly. The doors groaned slowly open. The SUV backed out. The doors ground shut again. And her, alone, like an idiot. Wondering if she should have paid more attention to those last moments. Riveted every precious detail more deeply into her memory.
Tam stood by the door, closing the little control panel for the garage door. Edie, Kev’s fianceé, was in the doorway, too.
“You OK, Lily?” Edie’s voice was low and gentle.
Lily shook her head, pressed her hand to her mouth. She heard slippered footsteps padding, and Edie’s arm slid around her. “Worried?”
Lily nodded.
“If it’s any comfort to you, he’s got four of the toughest guys you’ll ever meet in that car with him. I’m talking, rawhide. I pity the fool who messes with even one McCloud, let alone four of them.”
Lily shot her a grateful, if watery smile. Edie applied gentle pressure with her arm, coaxing Lily towards the door. “I know it makes you feel useless,” she said. “But you’re not. You’ll get your chance to have plenty more dangerous adventures before you’re through, I bet.”
“Hey, hanging out in Zia Rosa’s clutches is a dangerous adventure in itself,” Tam spoke up, her voice smoky with amusement. “Gird up your loins, girlfriend. That woman is going to take you to pieces.”
They squeezed out into the corridor. Edie gave Tam a teasing look. “Seems like you and she get along better these days.”
Tam rolled her eyes, and indicated her swollen belly. “Of course. I’m engaged in repopulating the earth. So I’m now in the club of people who have the right to exist.” She paused, and swept her eyes over Edie’s long, slender body. “You’re not in that club yet, are you?”
Edie made a noncommittal sound. “Don’t think so.”
Tam turned her gaze on Lily. “How about you? Being careful?”
Lily didn’t have a hope in hell of hiding the blush.
Tam smote her brow. “For God’s sake. What are youthinking?”
“Leave her alone,” Edie scolded. “It’s a tough time for her. And it’s not about thinking, Tam, it’s about feeling.”
“Feel all you want with your legs in the air and an implant in your arm!” She turned to Lily. “Do you want a morning after pill?”
Lily faltered, stammering. “Ah…”
“Let me tell you something, Lily,” Tam said. “I’ve been on the run for my life alone. I’ve been on the run for my life with my kid. Alone’s better. Running for your life with a kid is hell on earth. Think about it.”
Lily nodded, cowed.
Edie frowned at Tam. “Let’s change the subject, please,” she said. “Come on. Let’s go up to the kitchen, make some tea. We can try another one of Zia’s cupcakes. She made some with chocolate frosting.”
Lily froze in her tracks. “I hate it,” she burst out. “I’m here, sipping tea and nibbling cupcakes while Bruno’s out there? What, should I maybe crochet a white lace doily while I’m at it?”
Tam and Edie exchanged glances.
Tam spoke, her voice dry. “Shot of bourbon, then?”
