Caelyn leaned against the rail. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. You tripped over the tassel on your shoes.” She gave a little shrug. “Who knew it was so dangerous to dress like a douchebag?”

40

Kenna

I stepped out of my car, a bag full of Crosby’s favorite fried meal in one hand, a couple of beers in the other. Closing the door with my hip, I beeped my locks.

“Hey, Kenna.”

I looked up to see Penny making her way to her vehicle. “Hey, Penny. You done for the day?”

She swung her keys around her finger. “I am. And I’m looking forward to a long, hot bath and my book.”

“Sounds like a good evening to me. He still in there?”

Penny nodded. “Huddled over some papers.” Her eyes twinkled. “Go right on in. The door’s still unlocked.”

“Thank you.” I gave Penny a wave and headed up the walk. The little bell jingled as I pulled open the door, but Crosby didn’t call out. I headed towards his office and stopped in the threshold.

Crosby sat bent over his desk, scrawling on a legal pad, pausing to refer to some papers every few moments. He was so focused on his task that he didn’t notice me at all, so I took the time to drink him in. The man needed a haircut and a shave, but I liked him a little rough around the edges. It seemed fitting.

The scent of one of his favorite meals must have roused him because he seemed to sniff the air before looking in my direction. A smile curved his mouth. “Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes? And did you bring me a Reuben?”

I held up two bottles. “And beer. I couldn’t get Ford to put a Guinness in a to-go cup, but he said you like this local ale, too.”

Crosby leaned back in his chair. “What did I ever do to deserve you?”

“You must’ve been a very good boy in a previous life.”

“A previous life?”

I grinned. “Come on, you’ve been nothing but trouble in this one.”

“You have a point.” He looked me up and down. “Come here.”

“Why?” I asked. Crosby looked like he was up to no good.

“I need your mouth.”

That, I could give him. I crossed to him without hesitation, bending to meet his lips. One of Crosby’s hands wrapped around the back of my neck, tangling in my hair. I almost lost my balance as he took my mouth in a hungry kiss. When I pulled back, I felt a little dazed. “Are you okay?”

Crosby squeezed the back of his neck as if trying to relieve some of the tension there. “It’s been a day.”

I set the food and beers on an empty chair and leaned against Crosby’s desk. “I heard.”