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“Yes. He and his lovely wife will enjoy our reservation.”
I shake my head and stalk toward her. “You little menace.”
“It’s not very fun getting thrown out of the emergency exit, is it?” Her hands slide down my shirt, lighting a fire from my chest to my abs.
“On the contrary, I’m quite enjoying this,” I whisper into her smooth neck. All I have to do is get these handcuffs on her. Which I’m working on right now. I slip my wallet out of my back pocket and find the pin I keep there.
“Then you’re really going to enjoy what we do next.” Her soft lips graze my cheek.
My pulse thrums to life like I’ve been rebooted. All systems on Amelia. I am going to enjoy this.
“What’s that?”
“We’re going to karaoke night.”
“Uh.” All systems shut down.
“Come on, it will be fun.”
“If that’s what you want to do, I’ll get up on that stage and sing Taylor Swift at the top of my lungs for you. But can we take the handcuffs off?”
“No.”
I slip my hands out from behind my back and have hers locked up in the cuffs in seconds. “New plan.” I trail kisses down her neck. “I’m kidnapping you instead.”
Her breath escapes in short bursts. “I mean… if you insist.”
“And we’re going…” I press a kiss to the corner of her mouth. “On a stakeout.”
“No! Kill me now!”
“I brought snacks.” I kiss the other corner of her mouth.
“Totally back in.” I can feel the spike in her pulse where I’m still holding her wrist. “Who, um, are we stalking?”
“An actor who goes by the name Shawn Spencer.”
“What?” she screams.
“He may be in town. I may have asked him if his biggest fan could buy him a drink tonight.”
“This is the best day of my life!” She jumps up and down, her arms still locked behind her back. She arches up on her toes and presses a kiss to my lips. “I love you.”
I take the moment to enjoy an extra slow kiss with her. “I love you.” I kiss her harder, signing my heart over to her kiss by kiss. Every day it's easier to stay, easier to want more. Every day I fall more in love with her. There seems to be no end. This is what my dad missed out on. This is what my mom tried to teach me. I’m finally learning.
I pull back, watching her dazed eyes and delicate lips that are more swollen than they were ten minutes ago.
Man, that's a long time to kiss in a nasty alley. We should get out of here.
“Since we’re in love, can we skip the drink with the celebrity?” I ask.
“Not a chance! Come on, son!” Then she takes off down the alley. Running, in a dress and heels and her arms handcuffed behind her back.
I’ve never loved anyone more.
THE END