Page 76 of Fierce-Hyde

Her flip-flops were by the door and she slipped them on and dashed down the stairs to see him standing there. Another tenant was coming through with their card and let Hyde in.

“Hi,” he said.

“Hey,” she said. He was still dressed from work too and she wondered if he was staying late. Raina normally left around five or earlier. Of course Raina had to get Duke from daycare too because Cody didn’t have the flexibility with his job.

He followed her back to her apartment, she swiped her card and went in, kicking her flip-flops off.

“Want me to remove my shoes?” he asked.

“That is up to you,” she said. “You don’t have to. I just put them on quickly to run down and get you.”

“You look cute with them off in that dress,” he said, yanking her in and giving her a kiss like she wanted earlier.

If she was disappointed he didn’t kiss her like that in his office, she wouldn’t complain. That wouldn’t be appropriate in the least.

“I wasn’t going for cute, but sure,” she said.

“Are you trying to turn me on?” he asked.

“Doesn’t every woman want to turn a man on they are dating?”

“You’re blushing,” he said, running his hand down her cheek. “Why?”

“I get so embarrassed around you.”

“I’m not sure why,” he said. “I’d like to think we’ve seen each other at the most vulnerable. In several ways. That should strengthen us, not weaken.”

Why didn’t she think of these things?

“I’m thinking you’re much smarter than I am. It’s a bit embarrassing.”

He snorted. “I won’t be insulted that you said that. Maybe I’ve realized you need a lot of work and I shouldn’t take it personally.”

Her back wanted to get up over the comment of “needing a lot of work” but she told herself to simmer down.

They were still bopping around each other and he wasn’t being mean.

He was actually talking softly and still caressing her.

“Don’t take it that way,” she said.

“Good for you not letting the words come out of your mouth that were reflected in your eyes.”

“Guess I’m not good at hiding that much either,” she said.

“Speaking of hiding things,” he said.

Oh boy. Here it came. “What?” she asked.

“The Fierces,” he said.

She frowned. “What about them?” she asked. “And can we talk in the kitchen? I need to check on dinner. It should be done soon.”

She moved toward her kitchen with him following. “That smells good, what is it?”

She opened the oven and pulled out a casserole dish. “I remember you saying how you lived off of tacos for a period of time and hadn’t had them in a while. I love them too but rarely make them. This is a Mexican casserole. Kind of like a taco bake. I used chicken rather than beef though.”

“I love messy food. That’s kind of the joke with me.”

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