“She gave me some interesting insights into you, but warned me that if I broke your heart, then I don’t have to worry about your brothers. That she can do enough damage all on her own.”

She hung her head, eyes closed, like a sad puppy. “You have no idea how many points you’re getting for still hanging around.”

“I didn’t know you were keeping a tally.”

“I like my pro/con lists.”

“I see. Pros outweigh the cons?”

When she nodded, I added, “Maybe you should share that list with them.”

“Yeah, I.... Maybe not.” Her cheeks went pink.

“Why, what’s on that list?”

“Ummm... stuff they shouldn’t see?”

“I want details.”

She poked my arm. “You’re not getting them.”

“Oh, I am.”

She opened her mouth, to argue some more, no doubt, but I kissed her before she even had time to make a sound. She was glaring when I pulled back, which only made me want to push her against a wall and sink inside her.

“So?”

“Are you going to kiss me like this every time we don’t agree on something?”

“If that’s what it takes.”

“Then maybe we should disagree more often.”

I was speechless for a second but recovered and led her around the corner, then pulled her flush against me.

“Fondling me in public won’t win you any points with them.”

I brought my mouth to her ear. “They can’t see us. And anyway, it’ll earn me points with you, won’t it?”

Judging by the way she attempted to hide her face in my shoulder, I was spot-on.

“I bet your pro column includes—”

“Activities of the X-rated variety, yes. Thanks for making me say it out loud.”

“Now what would they say if they knew about that?”

She groaned. “They don’t have to know everything.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll keep your secret.”

I drew the tip of my nose down the column of her neck, breathing in her sweet scent.

“New perfume?”

“Yes. Do you like it?”

“I do. You smell good enough to eat.”

I pressed my hips against hers, and a moan replaced her laughter. She clutched at my sides with both hands.

“Fucking hell, woman. You make me want to haul you over my shoulder and take you upstairs. Distract me.”

“The perfume is part of a new collection. We’re trying out a fresh concept, where we deliver the basic essence to the stores and then the customer chooses their own end notes to top it. I was thinking April and Peyton would love to play with this in our mixing lab.”

I straightened, my pulse suddenly thrumming in my ears.

“Only if you’re okay with it,” she added quickly.

“I’m more than okay with it. I think they’ll love it.”