“Sorry.” She hadn’t remembered that.
“But worse than that you left my bed without a word—again. You treated us as if we were some sleazy one-night stand.” Antonio stormed to her and grabbed her by the shoulders. “We’re in a relationship,” he said, shaking her. “Is that clear?”
“Yes.” Happiness burst inside Grace and she smiled. He really did want her. Antonio wanted her. She would have the affair of a lifetime. Even if he didn’t want her forever, she would make this be enough. To have him even for a short time would be everything. “I thought it was pity.”
“You think pity could make me come three times in one night,” he said, shaking his head. “You’re crazy. Incredibly hot, brilliant and loving but crazy.”
“Brackman would probably agree with you about now regarding the crazy part.” Grace told him about the argument she’d had with the senior partner.
“Maybe we should both resign from this place and hang out our own shingle together,” Antonio offered.
The fact that he wanted more than an affair sent a thrill through her. “You want to be partners?”
“Absolutely. I have some money saved. Enough to set us up.”
“I can’t believe this,” she said, putting one hand to her head. Everything had moved so fast, she felt dizzy.
“Why not?” he asked. “Aren’t my feelings about you shamefully obvious?”
“No.” Her eyes widened with shock. “They’re not. What feelings, precisely?”
“Anyone with eyes knew I fell in lust the moment I first saw you.”
“Why didn’t you say something?”
“You were wearing another man’s ring, and I didn’t feel right about making a move. I thought friendship was all I would be allowed to have and it killed me. That’s why I got so drunk the night of your bachelorette party. Then, when you announced the engagement had been called off, I felt jubilant and horrible for being happy when you had been devastated by that jerk.”
“But why did you pretend you didn’t remember us having sex?”
“You left while I slept. I thought you were ashamed of what happened. I thought you wouldn’t have slept with me but for the alcohol, and I got scared. Scared you’d never want to have anything to do with me again if I acknowledged what we’d done together.”
“You thought I’d reject you?” Grace knew her voice sounded incredulous. “What woman would be crazy enough to reject you?”
“You’d be surprised,” he said. “All the girls who want you don’t matter at all if the only one you care about doesn’t seem to.”
“But—” Then his words registered. “You care about me? Really?” What did that mean? Grace knew he cared about her as a friend. “But—” she began only to be interrupted.
“Shhhh.” He stopped her words with a finger to her lips. Then he removed his finger and replaced it with his soft lips in a quick but sensuous kiss before pulling back. “Since you seem so doubtful, let me put this in terms you’ll understand, with a question.” He kissed her again, this time slanting his lips over her and deepening it. His tongue played delightfully with hers before pulling back.
What was that again? “What’s the question?” she asked breathlessly.
“Why did the chicken guy kiss the chicken girl?”
“Isn’t a guy chicken a rooster? Besides, I don’t think chickens can kiss,” she pointed out. “They have those beaks and—”
“Don’t be such a lawyer. Just go with it,” he admonished, shaking her a little. He planted another quick kiss square on her lips.
“Mmmm, Okay.” She licked her lips as if savoring the taste of him. “Why did the chicken guy kiss the chicken girl?”
He leaned his forehead against hers and nuzzled her nose with his. He gently pressed his lips to hers. “He kissed her because the chicken guy loves the chicken girl, of course.”
Long seconds passed before his words registered. Then a slow smile expanded from her heart to be reflected on her lips. “Lucky chicken girl,” Grace whispered.
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