Page 54 of S.O.S. Mizzay

Andy looked at him questioningly, then felt a flicker of unease as he reached for and took her hand, kissing her knuckles.

“I know what’s eating at you, and because of an upcoming—and possibly jeopardous—outcome, you need to have it said out loud. And…I’m brave enough to go first,” he declared. He drew in a deep breath that expanded his already large chest. “I love you,too, Andy.”

“Wha…?”

Had he just—?

“You do?” she squeaked. “I mean, I do. No. No. That’s not what I mean. Well, it is, but…” she paused and regrouped, looking bemusedly into Cobble’s now delighted face. “Dammit, Cobble. How did you know?”

“Aww, come on Andy,” he replied. “We’ve been dancing around this for years. And not just the time between when wefirst made love and now. Even before we had that first, and very epic encounter in the bunker, we both knew. But things were always in flux, so neither one of us dared to say the words. Not even in the safety of your parents’ compound.”

She thought he was finished, but he added a kicker.

“I talked to your Mom about it, you know,” he revealed.

“What? You did?” Again, her voice cracked.

“Mmm, hmm. And wise woman that she is, she told me you felt the same,” he added smugly.

“Wait. How did she know? I never told her.”

“Not in so many words you didn’t. But she said she was sure of it, which went a long way toward making my situation bearable,” he admitted. “Why do you think I’ve been able to maintain my sanity over these last legs of my confinement?”

When Andy didn’t answer, Cobble continued.

“It’s because I continued to believe in a future where we could be together, that’s why,” he filled in the blank. “A future where I wouldn’t be on the run, and we could make plans and work together toward everything we’ve ever dreamed of.” He got an impish look on his face. “You agree, right?”

“With all that? Uh, yeah. Sure,” she managed.

He grinned broadly. “So. Are you going to say it, then?”

Andy felt like she’d been dropped into an alternate universe; one where she floundered, unsure of herself, but in a good way. Reason had flown completely out of her head, and she was running on raw instinct. It almost felt like she was glowing from within over Cobble’s unabashed declaration. His were the best words she’d ever heard, but she had to get control of herself, or she’d end up happy-crying all over him again.

Andy took a deep breath. She sought grounding to answer him back.

When that didn’t work, she straightened her shoulders and gave herself a mental smack. She wasstillthe irreverent andcaustic Mizzay. She had a reputation to uphold. Instead of getting all sappy, she needed to keep Cobble on his toes.

“What is it that I’m supposed to say to you?” she asked innocently, stretching until the sheet slid from her upper torso, revealing her already-been-loved breasts.

“Imp,” Cobble growled, reaching out and covering one orb with his hand. “You know what I want to hear.”

“I do?” she pondered mischievously, tapping her lip and trying to ignore the light fondle on her flesh that she wished was firmer.

Cobble rolled his eyesanda nipple. “Okay. How about I make you a deal?”

She snorted, but leaned into his touch. That didn’t make her weak, did it?

“What kind of deal?”

He thought for a second. “I’ll let you be on top next time we fuck,ifyou tell me you love me.”

Andy convulsed with laughter, her nipple chafing against his palm with the movement, making her think she might want to wrap up this conversation and get back to some action, fast. Still… This was fun.

“Iwason toplasttime,” she sassed back. “Or have you forgotten?”

“Uh, uh. I haven’t. How could I forget these lovely tits bouncing above my face. But,” he wagged his free finger at her. “You were unable to continue and follow through after we made it to the home stretch,” he countered cheekily. “If you recall, your knees gave out. We had to switch places, andIhad to get us to the finish line.”

“Ten seconds,” she scoffed incredulously. “I didallthe work except for thelast ten seconds,” she sassed sternly.

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