[McCade is now lounging on the daybed with his beer, two cats and Lyla, taking up most of what had seemed a rather large piece of furniture, but now does not. She’s still sitting cross-legged on it, but he’s curled around her at her back, so her hips are tucked against his lap and stomach, and he’s up with his head in his hand on an elbow in the surfeit of pillows.]

You want this. That was a smooth line. (McCade)

[Twisting to look at him] It was goofy. (Lyla)

[McCade’s brows go up] Goofy?

Yes.

It worked on you.

[Lyla rolls her eyes, but she offers no argument.]

[McCade looks to me and grins] That line got me Jesse.

It got me Jesse.

[McCade looks to his wife and speaks softly] Yeah.

[Her expression softens in return]

You know, you got to tell your story at the bar already. (Lyla)

Jesse’s got the chili in hand. (McCade)

[Lyla sighs and returns her attention to me]

We’ll just pretend he’s not here. (Lyla)

[Off tape]

That might be impossible.

[McCade explodes with laughter. Lyla fails to fight a smile.]

The short hall had his tee and mine on the floor.

I had his mouth on mine, his hands on my ass, and my fingers on the belt at his jeans when I sensed we were in a bigger space.

I opened my eyes, slid them right and spotted a couch.

I tugged him by his belt toward the couch.

He broke his lips from mine and started guiding us to some stairs.

“Preacher,” I snapped.

“Cher, I am not makin’ love to you for the first time in six years on a couch.”

I took his hand and tugged him my way, saying, “Who cares?”

He tugged harder at my hand and I went flying, slamming into him.

His chin was nearly in his throat with the way he was looking down at me.

“I care,” he growled. “Haul ass up the stairs.”

“Preacher.”

He dipped and the tip of his nose touched mine.

“Haul. Ass. Up. The. Stairs.”

“I forgot how bossy you are,” I clipped.

He looked to the ceiling. “Fuck me.”

I threw my hands out to the sides and cried, “I’m trying!”

Another growl came with no words and then I was over his shoulder and he hauled my ass up the stairs.

[Off tape]

This is actually very sweet.

See? That’s what I was goin’ for. (McCade)

It wasn’t sweet. It was hot. (Lyla)

[McCade grins]

I was goin’ for that too.

He tossed me to my back on a bed.

I did not bounce because Preacher was on me.

I forgot to be mad he was so pushy and willing to do whatever he wanted to get his way, and all the ramifications of that, including the good ones I was currently experiencing, when his mouth again came to mine.