“All good?” he asked me quietly, ignoring Killer’s scratching at his jeans-clad leg.
“Yes.” I turned my face up to his and slipped my hand around his neck. Without a word, he leaned in, fitting his mouth to mine and giving me everything and then some. By the time he finished I was breathing heavy, feeling flushed.
“Break it up.” Ben groaned, swinging a bouquet of bright flowers in one hand. “You’ve got guests, for fuck’s sake.”
“Aw, that’s sweet. You bring me flowers, Benny?” Mal asked, rubbing a hand up and down my back.
“Hell no. I bought your hot girlfriend flowers.” He handed the heavy bunch over to my waiting arms.
“Thank you, Ben.” I smiled, charmed.
“Well, your hot girlfriend and her equally hot little sister.”
I narrowed my eyes at him.
The big man smiled. Such a shit stirrer.
“Where’s the rest of them?” asked Ben. He scooped up Killer and then settled himself in the corner of the couch, turning on the TV. With one hand he flicked through channels, with the other he proceeded to rile up my puppy. Soon crazed baby-sized barks, snapping, and growling filled the air. Killer adored Mal, but Ben wasn’t too far behind in his doggy affections.
“They’ll be here soon,” said Mal.
“You heard Lena quit?”
I just about jumped. “What? No. When?”
“Couple of days ago. Jimmy is not pleased.”
Mal gave a low whistle but otherwise didn’t comment. His gaze went to the hallway, where Mom and Lizzy were winding up their tour on account of them running out of places to look.
“Quick,” Mal said, bringing his face close to mine.
“What?”
“This.” He covered my mouth with his, sliding his tongue into my mouth. Generally kissing me stupid. Whatever mocking statement Ben made, I missed it. Only kissing Mal mattered. His hands cupped my ass, fingers kneading. My toes curled and my senses went wild. By the time he pulled back, my lips were wet and most definitely so were things downstairs. It took a long minute for me to catch my breath.
“Can’t make out in front of your mom,” he explained. “Oops. I kinda fucked up your lipstick. More than last time even. Sorry.”
“It was worth it.”
“Was it?” he asked, heat and affection and a hundred other things shining in his beautiful green eyes.
“Oh, yeah. You’re the best.” I grinned back at him.
“Pumpkin, hello. Of course I am!”