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“Understood and accepted,” Bones told her. “Grace, give me ten and we can take Goblin. Everyone else get to work.”
Everyone else…
He strode out of the room and I wasn’t the only one who turned to follow his progress or stare at the swinging door as he left the kitchen.
“Did he just…” Alphabet asked.
“He did,” Lunchbox confirmed.
“Did what?” Grace wanted to know and I swung back around to grin.
“Just sidestepped all of us to be the one who took you out for a walk.”
“Oh.” The pink flushed her cheeks again. “That’s… not a problem right?”
“Of course not,” I said because jealousy was not going to be an issue. At least not that way. “Except I’ve got dibs for the next walk.”
“Hey,” Alphabet straightened. “Get your own dog. I also need the walks, you know.”
“Yeah, but he isn’t going to let you get away from those machines until the decryption is done.” Lunchbox patted him on the shoulder.
“How about,” Grace said, reaching over to put her hand on Alphabet’s. “I come hang out with you for part of the day. That way I can make sure you have drinks and that you get up and walk around. I can do that thigh massage again too.”
I slapped some duct tape over my inner twelve-year-old’s mouth and downed the rest of my coffee. Lunchbox just grinned.
“I can make that work,” Alphabet said after a beat as if he had to really think about it. “We can see what else we can do to speed up the process.”
“I’ll do my best,” she promised. “Just tell me what you need.” It was her turn to huff out a breath as she stood. There was no missing how gingerly she moved. “I need to go find shoes and a jacket.”
“If you need any other clothes, Firecracker, just give me a short list. I’ll take care of it.”
“More underwear would be nice.” She paused next to Alphabet and pressed a kiss to his forehead. “I’ll come grab Goblin in a minute.”
“Take your time.” He slid an arm around her hip and gave her a light squeeze. “You doing okay after last night?”
“Walking a little funny.” She flashed a grin at Lunchbox. “But I’m fine. I think this walk will help me too.”
“Good.” He patted her ass once, then held up his hands when she gave him a look. “Just wanted to test the waters. I’ve resisted patting that exceptional ass but…”
“You can pat my ass whenever you like,” she offered, then paused to glance at me and Lunchbox before she focused on Alphabet again. “Tell you what, since you are going to be chained to the computer and they can go for walks with me, you’re the only one who can pat my ass right now.”
“Hell yes,” Alphabet said with a fist pump. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” She grinned then circled the table, she paused to rise up on her tip toes as Lunchbox bent his head and brushed her lips with his own. It was a quick there and gone again kiss.
When she reached me and put her hand on my shoulder, I covered hers with mine. “How soon will you be leaving?”
“I’ll wait until you two get back, so you can give me a list too.” I needed to do inventory anyway. When she dipped her head, I moved my hand to her nape and held her there for a longer, deeper kiss. I savored the hint of maple still lingering on her lips and the richness of the coffee.
Woman was a drug and I was addicted.
Happily so.
She sighed against my mouth and seemed to soften as she leaned against me and the chair. With some reluctance, I let her go and she was flushed a gorgeous pink as she straightened.
“I love you guys,” she said softly. “All of you.” The words took me out at the knees. The emotion sucker punched me and, for a moment, I thought she broke my damn jaw with it. She swepther gaze over the guys before she retreated for the door. “I just wanted you to know that…”
Then she was out and the door swung closed behind her.