Page 49 of Forever to Fall
“Should I put our predictable dinner in the oven? I made a salad too, just to throw you off your game.” He winked, hoping it looked more flirtatious than squinty.
Mallory sipped and nodded. “Yes, please. I missed lunch today, and I’m about to devour this stack of napkins.”
“How bad was that code red?” he asked, busying himself with finishing dinner. When Mallory tried to stand to set the table, he gently pushed her back into her chair. “And don’t even think about helping. How was work?”
For a moment, she didn’t respond, and he had to turn around to make sure she was listening. A funny expression flitted across her lovely face before she recovered and took another sip. “Well, it was a multi-car collision from 70. Fortunately, everyone made it, including the staff. When there’s that much chaos, that much noise and adrenaline, I almost fear one of us will pass out from the stress. But we always rally, support each other. It’s a good team, and I’m lucky to be there.”
Beckett diced a tomato and added it to the salad bowl before joining her at the table. “I think you’re pretty amazing, handling that kind of work day in and day out. You’re a superhero, Mal.”
“Pfft, just doing my job.”
Beckett slid her salad to her, taking a moment to linger. Cupping her cheek, he tilted her head up and snagged her gaze. “Don’t do that,” he ordered.
“Do what?” she asked, her voice barely audible.
“Diminish your career, how hard you work. Very few people can handle that kind of stress, let alone thrive in it. You’re amazing.”
“Oh.” It was all she could manage, her mouth forming the letter as she leaned into his touch. His thumb slid over her bottom lip, which was tinged a plum purple from the wine. He passed his thumb over the plump skin again, this time rewarded with a quick nibble.
Beckett’s knees gave out, and he knelt before her. Mallory swiveled in her seat until they were facing each other. She mussed his hair, her hand sliding down until it rested on his shoulders. “What are we doing?”
Beckett closed the distance and swallowed her question. He didn’t have answers, but he did have an undying need to taste the wine on her lips.
The kiss was hungry, frantic. Mallory pulled him closer, grasping his shirt in an unforgiving fist. Beckett cupped her face and deepened the kiss. Her lips tasted like a mix of her cinnamon gum and the spicy wine. A tiny moan escaped her, and Beckett felt his skin combust.
The truth was, he had no idea what they were doing, and he didn’t care. Having Mallory back in his space, sitting in his tiny kitchen doing the most mundane routine of any couple, he couldn’t fathom life without her. He wanted to hear about her days every night over a bottle of wine. He wanted to support her, laugh with her, love her like she deserved. But right now, this kiss was more than enough, and judging from the way Mallory clawed at him, she was enjoying the moment too. That was enough for Beckett, at least for the moment. He had bigger plans, plans that included their current activity every day.
CHAPTER 15
You came here to talk!
You came here to talk!
You came here to talk...Mallory’s brain chanted as she yanked Beckett closer. His long legs banged into the table, but she didn’t care. Judging from the animalistic growl as he trailed kisses down her neck, he didn’t care either.
This felt amazing, this felt like home, this felt like a mistake. They had so much to talk about, and kissing him without a care felt wrong. She would put a stop to this as soon as dinner was ready.
