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“It pays to be early,” Jake teased.
Allison’s stomach rumbled.
“Damn it, I should have given you mine,” I told her.
There was an audible gasp, but I couldn’t tell from whom. Yeah, I was on a slippery slope and didn’t even know it.
“There’s plenty of food in the kitchen,” Gran said. “The catering team is prepping the next round, so you can go and have your pick.”
“All right, I’ll go see what they have,” Allison said.
“I’m coming with you,” I assured her.
I figured she and I should settle on some rules if we planned to go through with teasing the family. Or we could just throw that plan in the garbage.
Yeah, I liked that much better. We’d already blown it anyway.
When we entered the kitchen, the catering team had just finished their preparations and were moving around the kitchen with efficiency.
“Let’s steal something and go into the backyard,” I said.
We grabbed two plates and some grilled cheese sandwiches, then went outside. We ate them much quicker than I thought we would and set the plates on the swing they’d installed for Ben.
“So,” she said, looking at me with a mischievous smile, “you asked me out here for a reason, huh?”
“Yes. I have a problem,” I admitted. “I can’t keep my hands off you.”
She grinned and immediately laced her arms around my neck. “I figured that. Just didn’t know what to make of it.”
I growled. “I don’t think our plan was smart.”
“I’m starting to think you’re right. So, what else do you want to do?”
“Well, what I want to do right now is kiss you. I didn’t get my fill of you this morning. That’s why I can’t keep my hands off you.”
Rising onto her toes, she brought her mouth to my ear. I grabbed her hips firmly so she wouldn’t lose her balance. “Nah, Ithink the opposite is true. The more you touch me, the more you want me.”
I didn’t argue with that because she had a point, and I needed that sassy mouth too much to waste precious time talking. I kissed her just the way I’d wanted to all day. Her lips were soft and so damn delicious. I could spend the rest of my life kissing this woman, and it wouldn’t be enough. I didn’t have words to describe what being with her did to me. It was transformative in a way that surpassed my comprehension.
I was so lost in exploring her mouth that I didn’t even hear the door open. But I did hear the voice filtering through.
“Oh, okay. I guess we found them.”
I instantly straightened up, and so did Allison. We both glanced toward the house. Swear to God, the entire family had come out to the backyard.
Maddox grinned. “That’s one way to make a statement.”
I started to laugh. Allison was blushing.
“No. We decided to come out here and eat. There’s not enough space in the living room,” I said.
“Well, well!” Gran exclaimed, smiling from ear to ear.
The only ones missing from the group were Penny, Spencer, Ben, and the twins.
“I’m very happy for you two kids,” Gran said.
Allison covered her mouth with her hand. The ring I’d given her popped at me, reminding me that we were married and this could be real. We just had to make it that way. But right now, I sensed Allison was feeling cornered.