Page 176 of The Best of Us

He rested both hands on the counter beside me as I arched into him.

He groaned, then brought his face back to mine, nuzzling my neck, trailing kisses along my jaw. “It’s a rather important meeting. One with an attorney.”

“Oh? Our marriage license?” I asked between kisses. “Or for our name changes?”For both Colin and me.

“No, I filed those documents the second the sun came up yesterday.”

“Mm. Of course you did. What was I thinking? You Costas move a mile a minute.”

My mind wandered to the wedding plans Izzy and my mother-in-law had already started before we’d returned to the States. They’d also pulled my mom into it as well. We had a four-way chat going already. And since party planning wasn’t my thing, I was happily bystanding my way through it, letting the three of them duke out the details.

“They’ll have us walking down the aisle in no time.” I laughed.

“Just tell me when and where, and I’ll be there,” he rasped, tilting my face to get access to my neck, planting kisses there.

“The wedding would kind of suck without you, so I hope you show up,” I teased. “I think we’re getting married along the Kentucky and Tennessee border. You know, so Alessandro and Callie can drive there with Elijah since they don’t want to fly with him yet.” I dug my nails into his suit jacket as his hot breath fanned across the shell of my ear. “Guess what I found out through their back-and-forth that I may have fallen asleep trying to read last night?”

He leaned back to meet my eyes, but he kept his body flush with mine, his hard-on not going anywhere from the feel of it. “And what might that be?” He lifted a hand to cradle my head, running his fingers through my hair.

“Did you know Sean McGregor’s sister-in-law, Anna, is from Kentucky? And you won’t believe this, but our paths have crossed. Anna’s father is friends with my dad.”

“I didn’t know, but why am I not surprised?”

“Connected. All of us in one way or another, I suppose.” I shrugged, licking my lips. “I’m going to invite them to the wedding.”

He gently fisted my hair, drawing my chin up without dropping his mouth over mine. “Who else is on that guest list?” he murmured. “All of the McGregors?Carter?”

“Aren’t you friends now?”

“Don’t push your luck.” A hearty laugh slipped between us, and then he playfully rolled his eyes. “Fine, fine. He can come.”

“You really are turning a new leaf, hmm?” I linked my wrists behind his neck.

“All wood at the moment.” He ground his hips against me, then winced. “I suck at jokes. I’m trying, but . . .”

“Your corny is perfectly on point with mine.” I brought my lips to his, sighing against his mouth. “So, tell me about this important meeting.”

“Ugh.” He rested his forehead against mine. “How about I take you to our room and make you come again instead?”

“As enticing as that sounds, you’re avoiding telling me something.” I brought my hands back between us and tugged his tie. “What is it?”

He closed his eyes, his already hard features appearing to harden before my eyes.

“Don’t tell me something new is wrong? I thought Falcon Falls handled everything for us? And everyone was behind bars. So, does that mean your meeting is mafia-related?”

“No, everything is good there. No danger. You’re both safe.” His gaze flicked to mine, his jaw tightening.

Then what is it?

He quietly stared at me, waiting for the puzzle pieces to click into place.

Ohhh.“Already?” I playfully swatted his chest. “Constantine,” I fake-scolded.

He untangled his hand from my hair and stood tall and pushed away from the counter. “Just a quick conversation.”

I hopped off the counter and gave him my best “mom” look I could manage without coffee fortification.

“Like you said, us Costas don’t waste time.” He lifted an innocent shoulder, a sly smile slipping across his lips. “Coffee?” He went over to the machine and started it up, popping in a pod as if I’d let this go with that not-so-minor caffeine distraction.

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