Page 67 of Merry Mayhem
“Why?” Muriel asks.
“You were really nice and cooperative during the ornament hunt, you didn’t insult anyone else’s ornaments, and you didn’t piss anyone off.”
Muriel just shrugs. “You’re the only one I like pissing off.”
“You like pissing lots of people off,” Patty argues.
“Okay, but you’re the only one I piss offon purpose,” Muriel corrects.
“But you admit you still like it when you piss people off besides me.”
“Nine out of ten times,” Muriel agrees.
Josh chuckles, and we exchange a look.
The easy way he gets along with the often-cantankerous Muriel is just one more thing I like about him. He seems to roll with whatever and whoever crosses his path. I’m sure that serves him well in his line of work, but it also makes him a very good fit for Rebel. We’re an…eclectic bunch.
He suddenly stretches and yawns. “Man, it’s been a big day.”
“There might be something else yet tonight,” Muriel warns him. “Don’t you be fallin’ asleep and missing a notification.”
He nods. “No worries. I’ve always got my phone on. But I might need a nap.” Again, he catches my gaze.
Suddenly, nap has a whole new meaning in my life.
And I need one too. Badly.
“It’s been so busy, I’ve got some paperwork and laundry to try to get done,” I say with a nod. “I’ll probably head back to my house and hope we don’t get a surprise challenge.”
Muriel shakes her finger at me. “You’d better keep your phone on, too.”
“Of course.”
But I’m seriously considering bribing my cousin not to surprise us with any challenges for at least an hour. Or two.
Without a word about a specific plan or a “want to come to my place?”, Josh and I start walking toward my house together.
We don’t talk. We also don’t stop, even when people call out to us with “Hey, Josh! Hey Thea!” or “You guys were great today!” We just lift our hands and give a quick, “Hi” and “Thanks!”
We climb the porch steps together seven minutes later, and I open the door.
What should I say? Should I invite him to my room? Should I just start taking my clothes off? Should I turn and push him up against the door and kiss him? Because Ireallywant to kiss him, and I want him to know that. I also want him upstairs in my bedroom. Right now.
He steps in behind me and shuts the door. He locks it, then turns to face me.
I tuck my bottom lip between my teeth and wait.
Say something dirty and amazing. Tell me what you want. Tell me what to do. It’s been a really long time and…
“I’m crazy about you, Danger,” he says, his voice gruff.
That wasn’t what I was expecting. I was expecting something dirty and demanding, or maybe funny and flirty. But that was just straightforward and sweet.
So, I give it right back to him. “I think you are an amazing man, and I am so glad that you want to be here with me.”
He takes two steps forward and cups my face with both hands.
“I am so fucking glad that every other man who has ever been in your orbit was too damn stupid to see what was right in front of him. I am so glad you’re not taken.”
