Bad Boy (Invertary 5)

“Emotional seepage?” She grinned widely, looking strangely beautiful, even with her puffy eyes and red nose.

“It’s a technical term used for when women can’t hold it together. You’re English, shouldn’t you stiff-upper-lip the life out of any feelings you have?”

“You can see why my family disowned me. I never did live up to the English ideal.” Her eyes turned sad again and Flynn kicked himself for opening his mouth. It was just more proof he wasn’t meant to deal with emotional crap. He was in over his head. A place he seemed to permanently live since meeting Abby.

“You look pretty ideal to me, Abby McKenzie.” He waggled his brows and loaded the sentence with as much innuendo as he could muster.

With a playful slap to his chest, she pushed out of his arms. Flynn was confounded by just how much he didn’t want to release her. Pushing away the need to grab her and return her to his embrace, he jammed his hands into his pockets and leaned against the counter. He should run before she decided to talk about her feelings. Or go over the conversation she’d overheard, picking at it like a dog with a chicken carcass. But for some reason he didn’t want to leave her. Although he still didn’t want to talk about any emotional stuff. He spotted the leftovers she’d been covering.

“Food looks good. Got any going spare? I’m starved. Your daughter takes a lot of energy.”

For a second he thought Abby might reprimand him for bad manners. Which, to be honest, kind of made him hot, but she didn’t. Instead she smiled.

“Sure, I have shepherd’s pie.”

“I love shepherd’s pie.”

“Flynn.” She sighed. “You’re a guy. You just love food.”

“Not all of it. I don’t like wheatgrass. Wheatgrass is just wrong. Should we really be eating something cows enjoy? Shouldn’t we just leave it for the cows, and once they’ve eaten it, we eat them. It’s life’s perfect cycle. Taking the cow out of the equation messes with nature.”

Abby blinked hard at him several times before she laughed. He liked the sound of it. It wasn’t one of those high-pitched, girly giggles women thought men loved—it was deep and raspy. It was sexy as hell. It made him want to draw her to him and taste the lips that produced such a sound. It made him want to see what other sounds he could cajole out of her.

“How much do you want?” Abby pointed to the covered dish.

He paused. “That’s a trick question, right?”

“All of it. Got it. Grab a drink from the fridge and take a seat while I heat this up.”

Flynn intended to do as he was told. He could have sworn his feet moved towards the fridge for two whole steps before they detoured towards Abby instead. She froze, container of food in hand when he appeared in front of her.

“I want dessert first,” he said.

Her lips parted and her eyes darkened. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“I think it’s the best idea I’ve had all day.” He took the container from her hands and placed it on the counter behind her.

“Flynn...” The protest died on her lips as he stepped into her space.

There was something amazing about the way their scents mingled to produce something new and heady just for them. Flynn backed her against the counter, placing a hand on each side of her face.

For a minute, they stood there, staring at each other, sharing the same air. Anticipation curled around Flynn, intoxicating in its strength.

Slowly, he touched his lips to hers. A long breath left her lungs. Her fingers curled on his waist. Flynn intended to tease her, taste her, make the kiss last. Instead, it was like a match to kindling. One touch and reason was gone. He groaned at the taste of her, licking his path into her mouth, eager to devour. He felt Abby relax into him. Felt her cheeks heat under his palms. Heard her soft little moans as he deepened the kiss.

The moment broke when his stomach growled loudly. With a chuckle, he kissed her lips one last time. “Not my most romantic moment.”

Abby tucked her hair behind her ear, lowering her head slightly in a move he hadn’t seen her make before. “I’ll get your food.”

As she stepped away from him, he felt the distance increase exponentially. Facing the microwave, she cleared her throat.

“I’ve been thinking.”

His heart stilled. “Aye?”

“Now isn’t a good time for this.” Her dark eyes looked back at him, pleading for him to understand.

He did. But he sure as hell didn’t want to.