Page 215 of Dark Duet: Platinum Edition

Livvie laughed. It was her incredibly loud cackle that meant she couldn’t control herself. It was not a pretty sight, but I loved it when she laughed like that. Iloveit when she laughs like that.

“No. It’sMonty Python.”

I was laughing too. Livvie’s laughter is too infectious not to take part in it.

“A what?”

“It’s a movie.” She wiped tears from her eyes.

I pulled her hand toward my mouth and licked her finger. There are so many kinds of tears. I plan to collect them all.

“I’m not sure I want to see it.”

Livvie leaned forward and kissed my lips.

“Well, wehaveto now. It’s an older movie and over-the-top ridiculous, but I can’t wait to see your face.”

I made a face of the “what the hell is wrong with you?” variety.

“It’s disturbing when you do that. I always know when something big is about to happen because there you are, staring at me with your huge doe eyes.”

Livvie shrugged.

“Not my fault you’re so nice to look at.” Her expression turned ruefully judgmental. “You’re the only person I know who lookssexierwith bruises.” She poked the butterfly stitch on my eyebrow and I hissed.

“Dammit, Pet. That hurts.” I’d been visiting the gym a few times a week and sparring. I fought Fernando mostly, but other fighters from time to time. Some of them were even decent conversationalists, so long as the topic didn’t stray from matches, fighting styles, or food intake. I was compelled to try a protein shake… once.

“Oh? And it didn’t hurt when that guy kicked you in the face?” She made a fist and twisted it near the corner of her eye while sticking out her bottom lip.

“Are you calling me a cry baby?” I stood and glared. Livvie’s head was craned all the way back to meet my eyes. “Big talk for such a little girl.”

“I’m not scared of you. I’ll poke your band-aid.” She puffed out her ample chest.

It was difficult to keep a straight face. Had I really been outmatched byher? The answer was a resoundingyes.

“You poke my band-aid and you’re going to have a serious problem.”

She sucked in her cheeks to keep from smiling. Slowly her hand reached up toward my eyebrow. Her eyes met mine. She considered. A flicker of excitement caused her to lick her bottom lip. She pressed her fingertip to my cut. I didn’t wince.

“Is this the part where I get angry and threaten to teach you a lesson?” I asked calmly. Livvie practically vibrated with excitement.

“Yes.” She shivered.

“When do you leave for work?”

“I have a few hours.” She sounded breathy.

“Well then.” I caressed her face so I could watch the way she closed her eyes to savor my touch. With my other hand, I grabbed a fistful of hair and pulled. “Let’s go teach you some manners.”

***

“Remind me again. Why are we spending our romantic evening with Claudia and Rubio? If romance is what you’re after, it seems counterproductive to have other people in attendance.” I’d forgotten my shoes in my hotel room and we were forced to go and retrieve them. The clock in my dash display reminded me we were supposed to pick up the other couple in an hour.

“Because, Best Boyfriend in the World, it’ll be fun. Also, Rubi really wanted to take Claudia somewhere nice. He’s been saving up since Christmas. Can Fabes is supposed to have amazing food. I still don’t know how you managed to make reservations. Howdidyou get reservations anyway? It was pretty short notice.” Livvie checked her lipstick in the visor mirror for the third time. I think she just liked the way her lips looked in red. So did I.

“It was short notice because you didn’t tell me I was supposed to plan something. Valentine’s Day? I’ve heard of it, but I had no idea people actually participated in such… sentimentality. Don’t they get enough of that during Thanksgiving and Christmas?” I put my blinker on and moved to the passing lane to get around someone in what appeared to be a golf cart.Fuel-efficient cars. Bleh!

“Changing the subject, James. I’m on to your tactics.” Livvie glared. A smile played on her lips.