“I told you my folks worked on a coffee plantation. They really couldn’t afford to take the day off to take me to the doctor. ”
It was her turn for her mouth to drop wide open. “Seriously? What kind of damages can that cause?”
“You mean, besides not being able to have kids?”
Macy’s mouth opened with shock. For every interview Duke did on television, someone had always turned the question around on him and asked about his desire to settle down with a wife and children. Now perhaps she understood about not having any children. “I’m so sorry,” she breathed.
Duke chuckled nervously. “I don’t know why I just told you about that.” He pressed his lips together, flattening them against his teeth. “Yep, but don’t feel bad for me. I have the Baez kids that love me, and I love them as if they were my own. I get to spoil them without having to do any of the potty training.”
“Ha! I’d love to see you changing diapers.”
“Hey, I’ve changed my share. I just never want to go through getting a kid up every single night to go to the bathroom.” He let out a visible shiver as if the reminder brought back bad memories. Macy had to laugh. She had had her share of sleepless nights with MJ and Gia.
“You’re sweet to help them out.” Maybe he wasn’t such a prima donna.
“They’re the sweet ones for sharing their kids with me, considering my situation.” Duke blinked; his long lashes only made her envious. “So far, the kids still look at me as their hero when Mami and Papi won’t buy them what they want.”
With a combination of a groan and a laugh, Macy shook her head. “You and Serena would make a perfect couple, ya know.” She cleared her throat and rubbed the back of her neck at how uncomfortable the w
ords sounded out loud. Duke was not hers to even claim for herself or anyone else, but the thought of seeing him intimate with someone didn’t sit well with her. He was still inches away from her face.
Duke glanced at the counter where she nervously fiddled with her cup of coffee. He reached down with his forefinger and stroked the side of her finger. As expected, his hands were soft and warm. An unexpected result was the flight of the butterflies in her belly. He leaned closer. Macy watched him tilt his head as he approached. Her breath was caught in her throat.
“Thanks for the offer, but—” he brushed his lips gently across hers “—I feel it’s important you know that I am extremely interested in you.”
“Extremely?” Macy squeaked out. Her heart thudded against her rib cage so loudly that she just knew he could hear it.
“Extremely and only.”
To confirm his words, Duke pressed his lips against her. He tasted like coffee, strong and sweet. His mouth moved with an expertise that she’d never experienced before. Their connection was magnetic. His bottom lip curved perfectly against hers. Regardless of their height difference, their bodies fit together like a glove, molding against each other. His large hands supported her lower back, pulling her close to him. She could feel the hardness of his body, and swayed. Macy closed her eyes and allowed the feeling to take over her body. It was as though she was floating on a cloud and she never wanted to come down. She could be kissed like this forever. But forever wasn’t an option for them.
Every fiber of her was on fire. How long had it been since she’d been properly kissed like that? Her insides liquefied, from the tip of her tongue down, sending searing heat to the valley of her nether areas. With just one swoop, he could easily lift her onto the counter. And she knew if she didn’t stop this, she would allow him.
Thinking logically, Macy pressed her hand against his broad chest. She couldn’t do this, not now. She cleared her throat. “Um, speaking of Serena, I wonder if she’s okay.”
Just as Duke raised an eyebrow, the phone next to the utility desk rang to the tune of “Jingle Bells.” Macy took just a few steps to catch it on the second ring. “Hello.” She leaned against the desk and watched Duke’s amused face.
“You jinxed me!” Serena croaked on the other end of the line.
Macy balanced the phone on her shoulder, closed her eyes and crossed her fingers. “I wish I’d win the lottery. I wish I’d win the lottery,” she chanted, and then picked the phone up again, ignoring Duke’s quizzical expression. His eyebrows went up in surprise and his lips threatened to emit a laugh, turning up at the corners.
“Oh my God. I knew my ears were burning. I’m dying here and you’re talking about me?” wailed Serena, sounding congested, stuffy and sneezy. Macy didn’t have to guess to add “feverish.” Perhaps this wasn’t one of Serena’s tricks of trying to set her up with a single client.
Covering the phone, Macy mouthed to Duke that she was speaking with her assistant. The break was obviously needed for him, as well. He moved over to the sink, turning his back on her, and braced himself with his hands on either side of the sink. “No, we were just wondering how you were doing.”
“Mr. Dimples showed up?”
“Of course.” Macy hid her smile and turned around. “Everything will be fine here. You take care of yourself, and I’ll be over later with some soup for you.”
“Please don’t kill him, Macy. I love him.”
Chuckling, Macy nodded. Her body was still vibrating from the electrifying kiss. “I won’t.”
“And when I get better, you can thank me.”
“For?” Macy glanced at the speaker part of her phone.
“For letting you spend time with your celebrity crush.” Serena disconnected from the line before Macy got the chance to respond. She turned back to face Duke with Serena’s words lingering in her mind. Her celebrity crush had kissed her. She touched the pad of her thumb to her bottom lip and almost let out a schoolgirl giggle. A clink from the sink brought her to reality. Duke had managed quietly to wash out their mugs and set them in the adjoining sink.