Page 82 of Forgot to Tell You Something

“Fine. I’ll just shovel pizza into my gullet and leave the festivities for other people.” She sets down her piece, her gaze on the table. “I have to ask you something.”

“Anything.” I mean it, too. No more secrets.

“Nicole really has a thing for you.”

I nod. No point in denying it. “I know. She’s obvious about it.”

“Have you two slept together?”

My mouth falls open. Talk about a surprise detour. “Never.”

“Everything but sex?”

I grab her hand, pressing it to my mouth. I didn’t realize that Nicole’s flirtations were bothering her that much. I assumed Tally knew the woman wasn’t a threat. “I’m a one-woman kind of guy, and that woman has been you since the night we met. Even if you refuse to believe me.”

She has yet to meet my gaze, focusing her eyes on her lap. “I believe you.”

“That’s a good start, but do you forgive me, Tally?”

She releases a long exhale. That’s never a good sign. “It doesn’t do me much good to stay angry, even if I’m entitled to my rightful indignation.” The words are harsh, but her wink assures me she’s joking.

“Is that a yes?”

“That’s a ‘you owe me amazing oral for the next month’ yes,” she volleys back.

I can’t hold back the shit-eating grin crossing my face. My punishment is her pussy? Yes, please. “Can I start now?”

“Right now?”

“Right here.” I’m serious, too. And Tally knows it.

“No,” she starts, holding up her hand to prevent me from arguing, “and it’s not because I won’t do it in a public place. But I want to return to this pizzeria. I don’t want one of those most wanted photos of me hanging behind the counter.”

“There is another option, then.”

“I’m not doing it in their bathroom, either,” she retorts, squashing my plan.

“Buzzkill. How about this?” I take a deep breath, preparing to lay all my cards out on the table. “After we eat, I think we should go get Hecate and head back to the condo. I want you to live there with me.”

She chews her lip as she considers my offer. “Why don’t we stay at my place tonight, since it’s closer, and head back to your—our—condo tomorrow?”

I grasp her hands. She’s not the only one needing reassurance. “Are you back? Do I have my Tally back? I’m talking one hundred percent, Darlin. No more hiding or pretending that we aren’t together.”

After a moment, she nods. “I don’t know how we’re going to do this—”

“We love each other. That’s all. It’s pretty simple.”

“You won’t lie to me again?” I see the apprehension in her eyes. Tally is risking her heart by giving me another chance. I’m sure as hell not blowing it this time.

“I swear. Never again. Hey, I’m a pretty good catch. I’m a doctor, not a derelict. You say I’m hot, and I think I’m damn good in bed.”

“You have a few redeeming qualities, I suppose.”

“That, and if you say no, you won’t have my tongue at your beck and call for the next month.” It’s a total bullshit statement, and Tally knows it, too.

“Yes, I will,” she smiles, leaning across the table and planting a hard kiss on my mouth, solidifying our deal.

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