Fuck, she remembered that flavor in the marrow of her bones.
Mari’s fingers were warmer as they spread out across her belly.
“Aww. I remember being a newlywed. You two are so lucky.”
Mari ended the kiss but held her gaze. “Very lucky. Glass half full, right?”
“Absolutely. Enough for a nice long drink, Mari.” Bekka could sip from this particular glass for a while.
“You’ve warmed up.” And so had Mari’s fingers.
“You have that effect on me.” In fact, Mari made her more than a little nuts, in the best possible way.
“Even after all this time?” Mari was still so close, leaning on the arm of her chair.
“You’re stillyou, dork-woman. You still do.”
“The same way you’re still you, and also, different you. Or maybe I’m a different me.” Mari shrugged and rolled her eyes. “If you know what I mean. You seem pretty warm now.” Those fingers pressed against her skin like they were holding her in place.
“I do.” Shit changed. Shit stayed the same. The changing of shit stayed the same. It was part of life. “Don’t overthink it. We liked each other for reasons.”
Marissa laughed at that and shook her head. “I overthink everything, Beks. That hasn’t changed. I did kiss you first though, so I’m not completely hopeless.”
“Not hopeless.” In fact, Mari made her full of it, hope, that was. “It was a very respectable kiss.”
“Well, we are in a van.” Mari winked at her, fingers sliding over her middle.
“And your hands are warm now.” She leaned into the touch with a hum.
“Mhm.” Mari slid her hand away and sat back in her seat. “How does your foot feel? It must be cold too.”
“My leg’s a little achy, but the foot’s okay. Chilly, but okay.” She wasn’t cold, deep inside.
“That festive ribbon we found to tie that hat on totally makes the look, you know.” It was bright red with green Grinches all over it.
“I am super-duper classy, thank you.” Bekka bowed in her chair.
“I love it. I really do.” Marissa took her hand and just held it as they turned into the resort. “Your place or mine? Oh…it’s the same place.”
“It is! Look at that. We have a…a…a…” Goddess, what was the word. Not reason. Not excuse. She felt so silly, because she knew what she wanted to say, but she couldn’t seem to get it out of her mouth.
“Yeah. We have that.” Marissa kissed her again just as the van pulled to a stop.
Oh, theysohad it.
And she wanted to have it again.
* * *
“Okay,I’ll be honest. Pushing this chair on the carpeting is a challenge.” Marissa pulled Beks through the door into their suite and parked her. Thankfully, they’d stopped at the bathroom n the way into the hotel.
Beks blinked up at her, makeup all but gone, and smiled. “You’re a stud.”
She didn’t know about that, but Beks had a way of making her feel confident. “This stud wants to kiss you again.” She dumped her coat on the floor and braced herself on the arms of Bekka’s chair.
“I am most certainly in, but first—” Beks locked the brakes. “No sending me flying and you hitting the ground.”
“Where’s your sense of adventure?” She leaned in, getting close enough to brush lips with Marissa. “Besides, how long do you think you’re going to be in this chair?”