They definitely needed to get out of this room, away from that bed only steps away.
“We’re going out to see a few sights.”
She blinked up at him with surprise and confusion on her face. “How will this help us get to the bomb?”
“It doesn’t.”It keeps me from saying more foolish things like I did last night. Things that can never happen.
He threw her another smile, hoping to lighten his own mindset. “Unless you don’t want to visit a chocolate factory.”
She stuttered out, “Why didn’t you just say that first?” She grumbled something about men who didn’t have common sense enough to know that a woman liked something sweet once in a while, and pulled on her boots.
In minutes, they walked out of the hotel and set off in an easy stroll. He resisted the urge to hold her hand as they walked down the sunlit street.
From the corner of his eye, he studied her. On the surface, she appeared relaxed, easy. But he knew that behind those sharp eyes taking in their surroundings, her mind was working furiously.
He knew May well enough to plainly see that she was analyzing everything, connecting dots other people didn’t even see. Maybe even about Simpson.
It was what made her damn good at her job—and why she needed a break today.
Henner gave in and clasped her hand. She looked up at him in surprise.
“Relax. We’re supposed to be a couple, remember?”
“Are you going to tell me what made you want to visit a candy factory?”
He shook his head. “First, we’re making another stop.”
“I don’t know if I like this, AJ.”
“What? Having a little fun? Lighten up, May. It’s not every day that you get to pretend you’re on vacation with the man you love.”
When she jumped, the shock shot up his arm.
He realized what he said…and how it must sound, especially after the things he blurted out in bed.
Make you mine. Make a family.
With the map of the local area stamped on his brain, he took the turn without much thought.
“Where exactly are we going?” Her grip on his hand relaxed a measure.
He steered her toward a crosswalk. “I’ve got something fun planned. Well…it will be fun foryou.”
“What does that mean?”
“You’ll see.”
“AJ—”
Reaching out, he pressed his forefinger over her plump lips, silencing her protest. Their steps slowed, and they drifted to a stop. Without planning to move, he reached out and took her in his arms.
A soft sigh escaped her as he tugged her against him and kissed her. The gentle caress was so similar to the one they shared right before the wild need to claim May hit him the previous night that he had to force himself to raise his head and step back.
She appeared a little dazed. Unable to stop himself, he smoothed the pad of his thumb across her lips, damp from his kiss. Then booped her on the nose.
She screwed up her face. “You did not just do that to me.”
He squashed his fingertip down on her adorable nose again. She cuffed him in the shoulder, and they both started laughing.