Page 42 of Marry Me, Right Now

“I’ll tell my mother on you.”

She gave me another tiny smack, laughing like crazy.

“Now I’m really going to tell.”

Her hand lifted to tap me again, but I caught her wrist, pinning it behind her back, and tickling her stomach with my free hand.

She went berserk, shaking and squealing, and I released her immediately. “No tickling,” she said, as soon as she could breathe.

“Noted.”

My fingers wandered to the inside of her elbow, stroking softly. After a second, she jumped away. “No tickling.”

I leaned closer, my fingers reaching behind her neck up into the back of her hair. Holding still for a moment, her glorious wide eyes l

ooked up at me with an expression I couldn’t read. My fingers began gliding against her skin, up and down her neck, slowly, then quickly. She leaned closer, looking like a kitten who was about to purr. I needed to kiss her. Her lips were so close, and I could feel that she wanted me to.

Realizing that I crossing all sorts of lines, I snapped my hand back, but she only smiled. “Okay, tickling in permitted areas only.” We laughed, the moment of tension broken.

“How was your day at work?” she asked politely.

“Busy. Our tech team just fixed a major problem far more quickly than we anticipated, which is wonderful because the new team leader is our first woman in the position, and she’s kicking ass.”

She regarded me carefully. “Do you try to hire women?”

“Yes. I mean, we always have to hire the best person for the job, but if the decision comes down to a coin toss, we look at the whole department, and try to make things as balanced as possible.”

“Good for you.” She seemed genuinely impressed.

“I’m glad that my business practices meet with my fiancée’s approval,” I said, patting her knee then pulling my hand back. I couldn’t stop touching her. It was automatic, and the urge was so strong it was hard to concentrate around her.

“Tacos for dinner?” she asked, jumping up.

“See? I knew it. You’re a great wife already.”

M I A

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THE BIG DRESS

I had just finished making a huge pot of coffee when Jacob came into the kitchen Tuesday morning. He flashed that casually stunning smile of his while he poured himself a mug.

“You’re shopping for your dress today, right?”

“Yes. Is there anything in particular that you’re looking for?”

His eyes widened in surprise, then he crinkled his nose and flashed me his boyish grin. “I’m sure you will choose something fabulous.”

“At the past few weddings you’ve been to with your friends, what have the dresses been like?”

He stared into his coffee for a moment. “Um, they were white? And…” It was cute how hard he was concentrating while trying to recall the details. “They sort of looked more like an evening gown than a big poofy cupcake. Overdressed for a cocktail party, but not by much.”

“Perfect, thank you.”

He glanced up at sheepishly. “I’m sorry I don’t know anything about dresses.”

“No, that’s enough to go on. Just wanted to be sure.”

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