Page 64 of Forty, Flirty & F*cked

"I was just trying to add protein!" Gideon calls as Lily drags him away. "Did you know you can put protein powder in anything?"

The kitchen door swings shut behind them, leaving us alone in the disaster zone.

Ariana groans, dropping her forehead to my chest. "I'm so sorry."

"For what? The kitchen explosion? Or using my name to get secret Gallo family recipes?"

"Both?" She peeks up at me. "Though in my defense, Nonna Flora really likes you."

"Everyone likes me." I brush flour from her cheek. "I'm very likable."

"You're very something."

"Charming?"

“And sometimes infuriating.”

“I’ve heard you’re beginning to like ‘infuriating’.”

“I’m thinking I might.” Her hands fist in my shirt. "Though this is probably breaking several professional boundaries."

"Probably." I lean closer. “Would you give a damn if it was?”

“Hell no.”

I kiss her.

She tastes like tomato sauce, the tang sweet on her tongue, and I swallow the taste, stroking her tongue with mine. Ariana’s fingers slide into my hair as I back her against the counter, lifting her onto it without breaking the kiss.

Her legs wrap around my waist, pulling me closer, and God help me, it is all I can do not to sink into this woman right here. I kiss her deeper, harder, letting myself want this. Want her.

Then someone clears their throat.

We jump apart to find her sister Kat standing in the doorway, looking far too amused for my comfort.

"Well," she says dryly, "I guess there’s hotter things happening other than fire in here today.”

Ariana straightens her shirt, cheeks flushed. "I was just showing Connor where we keep the... fire extinguisher."

“Sure. And is that…extinguisher between your legs, Ari?”

"Kat..."

"Relax." Her lips clamp down over a smile. "I'm not here to judge. I'm here because Lily ordered enough food for a small army, and Dad's trying to convince the chef at La Famiglia to add protein powder to his breadsticks." She pauses. "Also, you might want to fix your hair before dinner. Both of you."

I run a hand through my definitely-messed-up hair as Ariana groans.

"You're staying for dinner, right?" Kat asks me. "Fair warning: there will be commentary from the peanut gallery, and I’m sure Lily's already planning your wedding.”

I look at Ariana, who's currently trying to disappear into her hoodie. "Your call, PR crisis manager."

She peers up at me. "You really want to subject yourself to the full Bristol family experience?"

“I do.:

"Even with the protein powder discourse?"

"Even then."

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