“What’s her name?”

“Rosanne.”

“Is she beautiful?”

“You’re beautiful.”

“Nice try. What does she look like?”

“Short with buck teeth and a wart on her nose. Nothing at all to look at.”

Maddie dissolved into laughter. “You’re so full of it. She probably looks like a super model.”

Mac linked his fingers with hers. “She can’t hold a candle to you. The second I saw you, every other woman faded to the background. You’re the only one who matters now—the only one who’s ever mattered.”

“Mac. . . You’re so sweet.” She brought their joined hands to her lips. “Now tell me, what does she really look like?”

He laughed at her persistence. “Well, she has six toes on her left foot.”

“Mac!”

After they finished the shift at the daycare, Mac told Maddie he had an errand to run and would be back shortly. He sat on the sofa to tie his running shoes.

“So you’re literally going to run?” Maddie asked.

“Yep.”

She eyed the bag from Gold’s on the counter. “Do you think maybe you could hurry up?”

Mac stood and wrapped his arms tight around her. “I’ll be so fast you won’t even know I’m gone.”

She ran the tip of her tongue over his neck. “I’ll get Thomas fed and put down while you’re gone.”

Mac shuddered. “Hold that thought.”

“Hurry.”

He had never moved faster as he jogged over to pick up the black SUV he’d spotted for sale earlier in the day. After completing the transaction, he enjoyed the smooth ride and the easy way it handled. Mac went next to the grocery store and bought a rotisserie chicken and salad for dinner and was back at Maddie’s forty-five minutes after he left. He walked in to soft music and candlelight. The blinds were drawn, and the bed had been pulled out.

She came out of the bathroom wearing the nightgown. Crossing her arms, she leaned against the wall and looked at him with hungry eyes. “What took so long?”

Stemming the urge to drool, Mac stashed the grocery bags in the refrigerator. “I need a shower,” he said.

Maddie put her hand on his chest and directed him to the bed. “No, you don’t.”

“But I’m all sweaty—” With her hands in his hair, she dragged him down to her and kissed the life out of him.

The back of his knees connected with the bed, and he tumbled backward, bringing her with him.

“Did this seem like a really long day to you?” she asked between torrid kisses.

“Mmm, the longest day ever.” He tried to roll them over, but she stopped him.

“Can we do it like this?” she asked, her cheeks flaming with color.

“Baby, we can do it any way you want, as long as we do it very, very soon.”

She bit her bottom lip and smiled down at him, causing his heart to skip a beat.