Maddie giggled and never took her eyes off him as he took another lap around the bike.

Finally, he got on in front of her.

“All better?”

“Not hardly, but good enough to get us home. I hope.”

Maddie slid her arms around him, caressing his chest and belly before heading south.

He caught her wandering hands with one of his. “No more of that until we get home,” he said through gritted teeth.

“You’re no fun.”

“I’ll show you fun. Just let me get us home without crashing.”

Whereas before dinner, he’d taken the long way so she’d get a chance to enjoy the bike ride, on the way home, he took the shortest possible route. Having her pressed against him, even more tightly than before, was pure torture. When they arrived at her place, he was relieved to see the lights off in Tiffany’s house and only one lamp glowing in Maddie’s apartment. How quickly, he wondered, could he get rid of his sister without being rude?

“Don’t be obvious,” Maddie whispered on the way up the stairs.

He stopped and drew her into another torrid kiss. “That’s just to tide me over,” he said when he came up for air many minutes later.

Maddie wiped a self-conscious hand over her kiss-swollen lips and preceded him into the apartment.

“Hey,” Janey said from the sofa. “You’re back early.”

“Maddie wasn’t feeling well,” Mac said. “Her injuries are acting up again.”

“Oh, give it a rest, Mac.” Janey rolled her eyes. “You want to fool around, and you want me out of here. Don’t worry, I’m going.”

“That’s not true—” Maddie said at the same time Mac began to protest.

“You two are so funny,” Janey said, laughing.

“Let me walk you home,” Mac said.

“Not necessary. I walk around town by myself all the time.”

“I don’t want you doing it tonight.”

“Tough.” She gathered up her purse and the book she’d brought. Going up on tiptoes, she planted a kiss on Mac’s cheek. “You’re not the boss of me, big brother.” She patted his face. “Take care of your lady. I’ll take care of myself.”

“Call me when you get home. Let it ring once.”

Janey laughed at him. “All right, Mom, if you insist.”

“I do.”

“Thanks so much, Janey,” Maddie said. “I really appreciate you watching Thomas.”

“Anytime—and I mean that. He’s adorable. I loved hanging out with him.”

“Thanks, brat,” Mac said as he held the door for her. He watched her go down the stairs to the driveway before he swung the inside door closed and turned to Maddie.

“You’re crazy, you know that?” she said.

“Crazy about you, and I got rid of her in three minutes. That has to be a record where Janey is concerned.”