Page 111 of Married With Malice

We’re nearly at the ranch. My last words still hang in the air and I’m beginning to wish I’d kept them to myself.

He pilots the truck through the open gate. The hour isn’t very late but ranch life begins early so everyone is starting to wind down for the night.

As we pull in, Cale is walking back from the barn, likely finishing one final check on the animals before locking up. He raises a hand in greeting and then briskly proceeds into the house.

Luca pulls up a few yards from the front door and sets the brake. He reaches for my hand. With the porch lights on, I can see the serious look on his face very clearly.

“Don’t thank me for taking you out,” he says. “Every hour of the day all I think about is being with you. There’s no higher priority, nothing else I’d rather be doing, tonight or any other night. You’re it for me, Anni.”

I’m already committing his speech to memory before he’s finished talking. I expect I’ll be replaying it in my head forever.

Luca leaves the driver’s seat and quickly walks around to open my door. He keeps his arm around me for the very short journey to the front door.

I stop him from reaching for the doorknob and throw my arms around his neck. “Luca, this was the best date I ever had.”

“Me too.” His voice is gruff and his arms surround me. I’m lifted slightly off the ground and I breathe him in with a stir of desire.

Our mouths meet and a kiss that starts sweet turns fervent. I feel his tongue and eagerly offer my own. A thick groan of passion comes from his throat and his hand sneaks under my coat. My back is now against the door. His hand cups my breast.

And then some dogs begin barking as loud as an air raid siren.

Zeus and Apollo, overjoyed by our return and unable to understand why we haven’t appeared yet, keep barking and clawing at the other side of the door. Not wanting to be left out, the residents of The Doghouse join in the chorus with a shrill wave of barking and howling.

The door to Peggy’s apartment swings open and Peggy appears, wild-haired and wearing a patchwork bathrobe. Her broom is clutched in her hands and she wields it like a rifle.

When Peggy sees we’re the ones responsible for the disruption, she lowers her broom rifle. Her pursed lips of disapproval make me feel like a teenager who has been caught getting felt up in her parents’ living room.

“Sorry Peggy,” Luca calls.

Peggy huffs and retreats indoors with her broom.

Zeus and Apollo are now trying to dig under the door to reach us. Cale’s grumpy voice is on the other side, ordering them to knock it off.

Luca sighs and keeps his arms locked around my waist as he peers down at me. “I guess this is where we say good night.”

I don’t want to say good night. I want to take his clothes off and crawl into bed with him and do all of the filthy things.

“Good night, Luca,” I say.

Cale flings the door open. He glowers like an angry dad.

“Wrap it up you two,” he grunts and pulls the dogs back before they escape and go for a run around the ranch.

Luca brushes one final soft kiss over my lips. “Sweet dreams, my angel.”

Disentangling from him is no fun at all.

And yet nothing, not even Cale’s cranky glance, can ruin the feeling that I’m walking on air as I float back to the Halloween guest room.

24

LUCA

“There’s a new bullet point for the resume,” I say as I push a long wooden rail into place and then step back to admire my handiwork. “I’m now skilled at repairing fences.”

Cale rolls his eyes with impatience. “Anytime you’re done preening like a peacock you can grab that other fence rail and get to work.”

“Know what, big brother? You’re remarkably less charming when your wife isn’t around.”

---