Page 156 of Duty and Desire
He did.
That being, he pulled her up even as he dipped down, and he took her mouth.
He kept the kiss gentle and light.
He wanted more, and he’d get more.
But he’d take it later.
He broke the kiss and asked, “Chocolate sheet cake?”
“Yeah.”
“You gonna eat that?”
“Probably. But Mom’s just using this as an excuse to get Jet to make one because she loves it. Tex loves it. It’s Eddie and the boys’ favorite. But mostly it’s just because Mom loves it.”
He grinned at her.
It faded before he asked, “What’s up with her arm? That happen from the stroke?”
“Yeah. Her stroke. She had it a long time ago. She fought to get her leg back, but we thought she’d never have her arm. A couple of years ago, some physical therapist was in Fortnum’s, getting a coffee and chatting with Indy while she did. She’d had some success with stroke patients, even years after the event. Indy introduced her to Jet, Jet and Tex talked to Mom, they started working and she got some mobility back.” She shrugged. “Not much. It isn’t strong. She can’t fully grip or lift anything. But she can use it to shove things around to position them and stuff like that. Anyway, something is better than nothing.”
“Yeah,” he agreed. “Though hate that happened to your mom, baby.”
“Me too. But she survived and takes care of herself, Tex takes care of the rest, so it’s all good.”
“Yeah,” he muttered.
“Mo?” she called, and his focus went back to her. “Chocolate sheet cake means the boys are gonna come over. Since Blanca’s probably watching them, and will hear what happened to me, she’ll wanna know I’m okay so she’ll come over. If Blanca isn’t watching them, one of the Rock Chicks is watching them, so they’ll come over. I need to shower. Get ready, albeit belatedly, to face the day.”
He bent in and kissed her forehead before he said, “I’ll go down and make sure they’re cleared out.”
“I don’t mind them here.”
He studied her closely and saw what he needed to see.
“Then I’ll make that clear.”
She nodded and gave him a little smile.
“Mo?” she called again, even though he was looking right at her.
The smile he gave her wasn’t small. “I haven’t gone anywhere, baby.”
“I know. And that was what I was gonna say. Thank you.”
It might make him fucked in the head, but in that moment, he really didn’t care.
Because Mo knew the most precious thing he’d ever heard in his life was Lottie shrieking,I need Mo!
“You really want a big wedding?” he whispered.
“Is that a problem?” she whispered back.
“Not even a little.”
His girl smiled at him. It wasn’t small that time.
