Page 98 of Memphis

“Come on, Wes,” I complained. “You’ve gotta give me more than that. I don’t want to look stupid.”

“No way you could ever look stupid, babe. Hell, you’re smoking hot when you wake up in your pjs and have that little drool spot on your cheek, and your hair is all over the place. So, as far as I’m concerned, you can go like that.”

“I do not drool, and I certainly don’t have a spot!”

“Ah, but you do, and it’s pretty fucking cute.”

“There is nothing cute about drool, Wes.”

“It is when you do it.” He stepped over to me and slipped his arm around my waist, inching me closer. “My point is, you can wear whatever you want, and you’ll look amazing.”

“You’re sweet, but zero help.”

“How ‘bout you wear those cut-offs with your cowboy boots? Then, I can help you take them off when we get back home.”

“I like the sound of that.”

“There ya go. I helped after all.”

“That you did. Now, let me go so I can go get ready.”

“Just one more second.”

His hand slipped into my hair, gently pulling as his mouth hovered over mine. Just before his lips touched mine, he paused. His dark eyes fell on me, searching for some kind of confirmation, but I was too impatient to wait. I lifted up on my tiptoes, crashing my mouth against his lips. My body melted into his as he wrapped his arms around my waist and pressed me close to his chest. I couldn’t remember ever wanting anything so much.

The tips of his fingers trailed along my spine, and I arched towards him, seeking the heat of his touch. As we continued to kiss, a warmth spread through my body. It had started with just a spark, but it continued to build, intensifying with every touch. He eased back and chuckled. “You better watch it, or we’re gonna be late to the barbeque.”

“How much time do we have?”

“About an hour. Plenty of time for us to...”

“An hour!” I quickly turned and started for the bedroom. “I had no idea we were leaving so soon!”

I darted over to the closet and started pulling out my clothes. I rushed into the bathroom, and I’d just turned on the shower when I heard my cell phone ringing. I rushed into the bedroom and grabbed it, and when I glanced down at the screen, I saw that it was Mark calling. I quickly answered, “Hey, Mark. How’s it going?”

“Better now.”

“Why? What’s going on?”

“We just left the courthouse.” There was no missing the excitement in his voice when he said, “We won, and we won big!”

“That’s awesome, Mark! I’m so excited for you.”

“Not just me! This was just as much you as it was me, if not more so.”

“Thanks, Mark. I appreciate you saying so, but you busted it just as much as I did.”

“We both busted it, and our efforts paid off. It’s the third big case our team has won this quarter.”

“I know. It’s incredible.”

“The crew is heading down to Beale Street tonight. You should come down so we can celebrate.”

“I wish I could, but I’ve got plans tonight.”

“I was afraid of that.”

“I’m really happy for you guys. I wish I could have been there for court.”

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