Page 121 of Spying Under the Mistletoe
With my free hand, I bring her head to mine. “Definitely no regrets.”
And then we’re kissing.
The best drug around.
I run the tip of my tongue along her lower lip. And it’s like the parting of the red sea. Her mouth opens to my mine, and her tongue meets mine, stroke for stroke.
I have no idea how long we’ve been kissing—maybe a few minutes, maybe a lot longer—when the sound of a creaking hinge penetrates my brain.
I ignore it. Kissing Chloe is much more important than checking who just entered my room. If they know what’s good for them, they’ll turn around and leave.
“Well, I’d say he’s as good as new,” Jayden says, not bothering to keep the amusement from his voice. This is met with a soft laugh that I’m guessing belongs to Isabelle.
“Leave him alone.” If her voice is anything to go by, she’s smiling.
“Yes, leave us alone,” I say as Chloe starts to pull away. “We’re busy.”
“We can see that.” This time the words come from Liam. I look past Chloe to find the entire team, along with Ava, standing in my room.
“You’re definitely looking more with it than you were earlier,” Liam says.
“That must’ve been some magical kiss. She woke up her grumpy Prince Charming.” Isabelle laughs and glances at the ceiling. “And she didn’t even need mistletoe for the magic to happen.”
“Earlier?” I ask.
“I came to check on you this morning,” Liam says. “You were still groggy. I’m not surprised you don’t remember.”
Shit, I hope I didn’t say anything I’ll later regret.
“Are you all here to spring me out of this place?”
The expression on Liam’s face smothers all hope of that. “Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you’re going to be here for a few days.”
Yeah, I don’t think so. I grab the cover. “I’m good to go now.”
Chloe parks her hand on mine, preventing me from ripping the cover off my lower body. “You were shot in the shoulder and had surgery. You’re not going anywhere for now.” Her thumb strokes against my knuckles. “But once we spring you out of here, I’m staying with you for a bit to play nurse. And to help you with Whiskey.”
Dirty thoughts pop into my head of her in a sexy nurse’s uniform, though I doubt that’s what she meant.
I flash her a lopsided grin. “You’ve got yourself a deal.”
We’ve got a lot of lost time to make up for.
And I plan to make the most of it.
34
Chloe
The dayI’ve been waiting for is finally here.
I step off the school bus and watch the kindergarteners file out and line up in front of me. Josephine and Andrew are also with us. Excited chatter vibrates through the group.
Once the last kid is accounted for, I direct everyone into the building through the door Landon is holding open.
It’s been a week since he was shot and one day since he was released from the hospital and into my care. I don’t know who was more thrilled: Landon, for finally being freed from his own private hell—his words, not mine—or Whiskey, for finally having his daddy home.
The puppy ran circles around Landon the moment he walked through the door.
