McKenzie Cousins Box Set 3

“I’m still leaving, Josh.” I offer a wry smile. “Ritter

told me that I didn’t need to leave because you were, but I’m happy with my decision.” I sigh. “I know we haven’t talked about the future, but I want to be with you Josh. I want to be free to go with you wherever the FBI transfers you too. I’m pretty sure that I’ll be able to keep my clearance and work as a consultant, so I’ll be able to help you when you need it.” She pinches my butt.

“What I think,” I press against her, “is that you’re trying to change the subject because you think you don’t know what I’m going to say.” She glances away and then smiles, when I cup her face and force her to hold my gaze. “I love you, and want to spend the rest of my life with you.” I roll us so she’s flat on her back with me slowly entering her body. “You are mine Mallory Jenkins.”

“Mmm, I think I’m going to need you to remind me on a daily basis, because I love you.”

And then there’s no more talking.

45

Mallory

Now that I’ve made the decision to leave the bureau, my office just doesn’t mean the same to me. Before it was something I had such pride in, because I’d worked hard to become an SSA, and to have my own unit. I’d accomplished that and got the Unit running smoothly after a reshuffle. It’s now being passed over to another SSA from a different office. As much as I’d wanted to promote a member of the current staff there would have been numerous problems for whomever had been chosen. So I do agree with Ritter in choosing to go outside the office.

At the moment it’s speculation as to why I’m leaving, and I want to keep it that way for now. Joshua is still in the office and I’ve just caught him yet again, passing a quick glance through my window. It’s been a few days since we’d both reported back to headquarters and I’ve just about managed to stay focused on the paperwork for the case. Today I can’t get Joshua out of my head, and all I’ve done is reply to emails. You’d think I wouldn’t be able to stop working, knowing that I can leave my position once the paperwork is in order. But no, I’m distracted by the handsome agent, who appears just as distracted.

Sighing heavily, I move around my desk and opening my door, shout, “McKenzie,” I pause as he meets my gaze, “we need to discuss the report. My office, please.”

Joshua doesn’t walk, he saunters into my office and closes the door. I roll my eyes. “Sit before the tongues start wagging.”

He steps forward and drops into the chair, a cocky smirk on his face. “Wondered how long it would take you to call me in here.”

“You’re really distracting me today, and there is a never ending pile of paperwork that I have to get finished before I can leave.” I smile feeling weary. “Now I’ve made the decision to go, I just want to leave.” I rub my brow. “It’s getting harder each day to get out of bed and come in.” I pause. “It’s knowing I’ll be seeing you that makes me come in here.”

“If you weren’t so stubborn, you’d get to see a lot more of me than you do in the office.” He grins so wide that I surprise myself by laughing aloud.

Shaking my head, I pick up a stack of papers and wave them in the air for show because I can see our colleagues passing glances in this direction. I lean back in my chair and sigh. “Ritter wants all files and the full report ready by Friday. My replacement will be here Thursday, so I plan on having everything ready by then. I’ve told Ritter that we both deserve a long weekend, and he agreed.”

“Mmm, I’m glad to hear that.” He rests his ankle on his knee, so I clear my throat and add, “So as long as I’m reachable by phone next week, then I’m free to go.” I grin.

“As much as I want you all to myself, I want you to meet my parents.” He chuckles at the look of horror that must be showing on my face. “They won’t bite. They’ll love you because I love you.” He becomes serious. “I’d only ever dreamed about becoming a law enforcement officer, Mallory. Until I met you, I hadn’t considered a relationship. No one had ever come close to striking that spark inside of me, until you.”

I turn quickly to face the wall, while I blink back tears. “You’ve made me cry,” I whisper, swallowing back my happiness. “I love you too,” I add before I turn back to face him. Don’t want anyone lip reading from the office.

Joshua clears his throat. “Let’s finish the report.” He grabs the report and moves to the conference table to one side of my office.

It’s been a long day as Joshua holds the door open to his apartment. I knew he lived in a converted brownstone, but actually seeing the beauty of it’s restored interior, I’m happily surprised.

“You thought I lived in a dump… tsk…tsk!” He mumbles, teasing.

“I thought no such thing. I’m just surprised—”

“A dump!”

I chuckle. “Stop!” Pushing past him to fully enter, I stop and stare at the beautiful kitchen. I’m not a cook, but the room is a culinary dream. “You cook?” I question happily.

“Close your mouth, babe.” He smacks me on the ass. “My mother said it was important that we could all feed ourselves, so she made sure we all knew how to.” He snickers. “Believe it or not, Michael and I are so much better in the kitchen than our sisters, Sirena and Charlotte.”

“You have a large family,” I comment, and let him take my jacket and bags. I kick off my shoes and wander around until I find the cozy living room. Curling up on the sofa, I watch Joshua as he joins me, pulling me into his chest. He’s removed his jacket and tie, and pulled the top two buttons open.

“Michael and Charlotte are twins and the oldest, Michael is married to Brooke. They’re due to have their first child any day now. Charlotte is married to Tanner and lives in Montana. Sirena is two years older than me and married to Garrett. Their relationship caused quite a stir because Garrett is twenty-four years older than Sirena.” I smile. “My sister is the happiest that I’ve ever seen her, and Garrett loves her. They have two children.”

“So, um, I’m going to be meeting them all over the weekend?” I gasp, the nerves hitting home.

“Probably,” he groans. “You’ll probably meet the Aunts and Uncles, and cousins.” He smiles whimsically. “I’ll take you to meet my grandparents. They’re getting on in age, but the family takes care of them.”

My heart feels so full listening to Joshua talk about his family, and I feel choked up when I say, “I’ll look forward to meeting them.”