“I’ve sown my wild oats and think it’s time to settle down. I’m thirty-six, Merry. That’s quite a bit older than you. Is that a problem?”
“Nine years isn’t all that much. Bonus for you. If it works out, you’ll have someone to take care of you in your old age.” Her lips didn’t so much as twitch, but she couldn’t keep a straight face for long, and grinned. “I’m teasing, Reese.”
“Hm... I don’t know about this sassy side. It’s probably not wise when I owe you another dozen swats.”
The smile left her face instantly.
“That’s another rule. Punishment is at my discretion.”
Merry’s brow furrowed at that. “I think I need a rule book to study.”
“Like you did the HOA manual?” he teased. She’d racked up some hefty fines, which he fully intended forgiving.
She wrinkled her nose, which made him laugh. He squeezed her in a warm show of affection. “I’m not a dictator. And I don’t want to control every part of your life. But I think rules are important and when they’re broken, there should be swift and sure consequences. That’s part of why I became a cop. I like order in my life, but I can be flexible. Except where safety is concerned, especially your safety. But there are a lot of perks for you in this arrangement. You get someone to hang Christmas lights once they’re authorized, and I’ll make sure you have reliable transportation.”
“Manly things, right?”
“Is that sass, again?”
“No,” she replied, with wide-eyed innocence. “Just trying to understand.”
“Mmm. That rental car can’t be cheap. I’ll take over maintenance on whatever you’re driving. If there’s ever an issue with it, you can call me.”
“That’s a relief. What I know about cars would fill a thimble. My dad kept up with all of that. He went with me to buy it, too, and made sure no one took advantage.”
“I’ll go looking with you tomorrow.”
“Really? That would be so great. I can’t tell the difference between the radiator and the wiper fluid tank.”
Nearly nose to nose with her, he waited silently until her eyes met his. When she leaned toward him just the tiniest bit, he knew he was golden and captured her mouth. The kiss was soft, sweet, and downright chaste, at first. But he licked the seam of her lips, and she opened for him.
Not one to disappoint a lady, he took it deeper. Angling his head until his lips sealed over hers, his fingers tunneled through her red curls, the sweet-smelling silken mass too tempting by half.
He gathered her close and was easing her back against the cushions when Merry yelped and pulled away abruptly. Half sitting, she reached underneath her and pulled out the wooden spoon.
She shifted her bemused gaze to his. “Are you really going to use this on me?”
He grabbed it from her and tossed it on the coffee table before pressing her back down onto the sofa. “I was going to paddle you with it, yes—because you deserved it. I think I’ll be generous and grant you amnesty, however, since you’re only just learning. See how flexible I am?” Pressing soft kisses along the corner of her mouth, he asked in a voice gruff with excitement. “We’ll start with a clean slate. If you’re a good girl from here on out, we won’t have any problems.”
While he kissed a path across her cheek and jaw, she arched, offering her throat for more. “I can do that. I’m actually a good girl and a law-abiding citizen.”
Lifting his head, he smiled down at her. “Elf, you have gotten into so much trouble in the past few months. It’s scary. If I was a betting man, I’d say the odds of you staying on the straight and narrow are slim to none.”
“That sounds like a challenge.”
“Prove me wrong, elf, and we’ll both enjoy how you’re rewarded.”
“Why do you keep calling me that?”
“Partly because you remind me of an elf from my childhood.”
“Hm... I’m picturing pointy ears and shoes, so I’m not sure that’s a good thing. What’s the other part?”
He succumbed to the temptation of her neck, licking and nibbling his way up to her ear. With his warm breath in her ear and against her skin, she giggled.
“A sensitive spot, I see. I’ll have to remember. All things pointy aside, the other reason is because your cheeks stay rosy with blushes, and you’re impish and cute.” Reese moved back to her lips, hovering a fraction of an inch above them as he gazed into her eyes. “Now, if you’re done with the chitchat, I’d like a taste of your sweet mouth.”
“I’m done,” she whispered, clearly eager for the same.