Page 40 of Control Line

He heard her breath hitch, garnering the desired effect from pitching his voice low. However, she stared straight ahead, twisting the napkin on her lap. With a single finger, he shifted her chin, demanding her attention. “Talk to me. Tell me I’m forgiven.”

With a sigh, she cupped his cheek. “I forgave you before I closed the door.”

Barney wasn’t sure it had happened quite that fast, but he’d take it. Shifting his eyes toward the kitchen, he decided there was time for a small kiss. Leaning in, he captured her lips, and they shared a moment. When she moaned, he pulled back.

“Damn, I can’t wait to see your beautiful body again, but if we don’t stop, we are going to embarrass ourselves.”

“Right,” she spoke as she thumbed the lipstick from his lips. “Not the time or place. Let’s eat dessert and then bail. I can’t wait to see yours again, either.”

If he doubted he had fallen for her before, looking into her eyes erased that. Eyes he hoped their children inherited.

Whoa. Pull it back Barnes, Jesus.

No matter how badly he wanted to see her naked, he wanted to apologize even more. Leave no doubt in her mind his assholery had nothing to do with her. That spoke volumes to him.

Deciding not to tell her how he felt just yet when he wanted to shout it from the rooftops was hard enough, but he had to hold back to get answers. The report from the funeral home was back at his place. He would read it for his own peace of mind and use what it contained to help prove he wasn’t dead. But beyond that, it meant nothing to him. Thanks to her.

It wasn’t personal so he could let it go. That was Zee’s perspective on the matter. As soon as he was declared among the living, he would share his true feelings with her and just maybe, by then, she’d feel the same way.

The Malones entered with key lime pie, pulling him out of his head pretty damn quick. Another favorite. “Someone is pulling out all the stops.” Barney leaned back from Zee.

“Yeah, Malone Matchmaker Services dinner party, for sure,” Zee stage whispered, not even trying to hide it.

“Of course, dear,” Mrs. Malone said as she served the pie. “If I see two people as well suited as the two of you, it’s my civic duty to intervene.”

Mr. Malone choked on air, and Zee and Barney laughed outright.

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