Lip Service (Private Relations 2)

“You don’t need an excuse anymore,” she said, standing on her tiptoes to press her lips to his.

Smiling against her lips now, he said, “I know,” and then tilted his head to deepen the kiss.

Hearing her moan of appreciation, he very strongly considered dragging her back inside for a moment, before he released her and said, “Come on. Let’s go. It’s too nice outside to stay inside today.”

Pulling out of his embrace, she dug through her bag for her keys then said, “You’re right. Let me go grab the cooler.”

Once she had located them and started walking to the car, he followed, and said, “So what’s for lunch today?”

She eyed him and asked, “What’s for breakfast?”

Wincing, he asked, “Donuts?”

Laughing, she said, “Pastrami and swiss on rye. Fresh fruit.”

When she had popped the trunk, he snagged the cooler and said, “Awesome.”

Walking back to his car, he put the cooler and her bag in the trunk along with his, then opened her door. Brushing his lips against hers, he said, “I hope you put a suit on under that.”

Nodding, she said, “I did,” as she slid into the car.

Closing the door, he moved around the other side and got behind the wheel.

Looking at her, he said, “Donuts?”

Chapter 15

Chloe was just putting the finishing touches on her makeup when Chris walked into the master bathroom. He stood behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. She eyed him in the mirror, taking a minute to appreciate his sense of style. He was wearing a light blue button-down shirt, rolled up at the cuffs and a pair of jeans. His blue eyes were even more pronounced. She smiled at him in the mirror.

Gesturing toward the makeup on the counter, he said, “You don’t need to do that. You’re beautiful without all that stuff,” then rested his chin on the top of her head.

Smiling, she said, “My nose is bright red right now. I put it on so I didn’t look like a Rudolph. But thank you. That’s incredibly sweet of you to say.”

Turning around in his arms to face him now, she smiled and said, “I like that color on you,” then stood on tiptoes to brush her lips against his.

Leaning back, she added, “You’re a little burnt, too. That’s totally going to peel.”

Grimacing, Chris said, “Fun. The beach was a great idea, Chloe. Thanks for suggesting it.”

Giving him a dirty look, she turned back around to finish putting on her lip gloss.

He watched her, shaking his head, and then said, “Oh! I forgot.”

She watching him walk out of the room with purpose. Picking up her perfume, she spritzed herself lightly, then started to pack away her makeup. When he returned, he had a small bag in hand.

He set it on the counter and said, “For you.”

She eyed him curiously in the mirror and said, “What is it?”

“Just open it,” he said, rolling his eyes.

When she opened the little bag, there was a little ceramic cactus that sat atop a pile of sand. It was a tacky lime green and bore absolutely no resemblance to an actual cactus.

“You brought me back Phoenix,” she said, grinning now.

Setting it down, she turned to face him now as he joked, “Arguably the best part, considering it got to leave.”

“Thank you,” she said, sliding her arms around his neck, “You really didn’t have to do that.”