Page 33 of Smoky Mountain K-9
With a wide grin, her friend waved her hands. “Fine. No decorations. Until your birthday. Then all bets are off.”
Mara sighed again and decided it was time to change the subject. “So, can you give me a ride back to Carter’s to get my car once the grain arrives? We came in his cruiser, since he brought Mav. It’ll save him having to get it to me or finding me a ride back.”
“Sure.” A wicked smile appeared on her face. “We should have some retail therapy today. I think you need it.”
Groaning, Mara slumped in her chair. One way or another, Brooke would get her to decorate her office today. And since she didn’t really have anything else to do besides catch up on laundry and pray someone called her back about grain for next week, she was free until Carter got off work this evening. There was no use making up an excuse. Brooke would sniff out a lie in a second.
“Fine. But I’m driving. And after I take a shower.”
“Deal.”
Eighteen
Carter jogged up the walkway to Mara’s house, Maverick at his side. They hadn’t made plans, but he didn’t care. He’d run home long enough to shower and change, then got in the car and drove over, eager to see her. She’d updated him a couple of times during the day on the situation at the equestrian center, but he needed to see her. To touch her.
Last night flipped his world on its axis. Not just the sex—that was incredible—but the emotional connection. He’d been telling the truth when he said he never expected her. Or that he didn’t deserve her. Her easy acceptance of his demons—as well as her words about looking at it from a different perspective—lit up a path he’d never envisioned before. And he’d be damned if he didn’t walk down it. He could see his future beckoning him from the other side. It was beautiful. More than he ever thought he’d have. He wasn’t giving it up.
Ringing the bell, Carter waited for Mara to answer. This two-house thing was going to get old quick. Normally, he didn’t want a woman in his space, but with Mara, it wasn’t like that. He didn’t want it to be just his space now. Moving in together at this stage was much too soon, but it wouldn’t be long if they kept going the way they were.
The door swung open, and he smiled, drinking in her pretty face. “Hey.”
Returning his smile, she stepped back. “Hey, yourself.”
Carter ushered the dog in, then followed and shut the door. He snagged her around the waist and hauled her close. She let out a squawk of surprise and grabbed his arms. Her wide, bright blue eyes met his, then crinkled at the corners as she smiled.
He grinned, bending his neck to bring his lips within millimeters of hers. “Hi.” The word was barely out before his mouth crashed down, and he swallowed her soft gasp. Fire erupted in his veins, surging south and short-circuiting his brain. Using the few remaining brain cells still firing, he pulled back before he pushed her against the wall and they had a repeat of last night. That wasn’t why he was here. Well, not the only reason.
“Sorry. Didn’t mean to ambush you as soon as I walked in. But I’ve been thinking about that most of the day.”
She smoothed a hand over his jaw. “Don’t apologize. I’ve been thinking about it too.”
He leaned in and pressed another lingering kiss to her lips before stepping back. “So, did you eat?”
“Yeah. Brooke and I went into Asheville.” She walked into the living room, stopping near the coffee table. “She decided I needed retail therapy and that my office needed a makeover.” Mara gestured to the bags on the couch. “I haven’t been back too long. We didn’t leave the equestrian center until lunchtime. And there’s no, ‘Let’s just pop into a couple stores quick,’ with Brooke. The woman could be a professional shopper. Once we finished putting a dent in my wallet, we went to dinner.”
“Did you have fun, at least?”
“Always. She’s a blast to be around. Speaking of, she invited us on a triple date with her and her fiancé. Gemma and Ben are coming too.”
“When?”
“Probably next weekend.”
His head bobbed once. “Sounds good. I’m off Friday and Saturday.”
“I’ll let her know. Do you want something to eat?”
“I can go get something.” He didn’t come here to have her feed him, either.
She waved a hand. “I was going to make you a grilled cheese sandwich. There are chips in the pantry.”
“That works.”
“What about Maverick? I know he can’t eat grilled cheese, but did you feed him before you came, or are you going to run out on me soon?” She glanced over her shoulder as she led him into the kitchen.
“He ate while I was in the shower.”
Her eyes took on a heated look. “Does that mean I get you all night?” She stopped next to the island.