“They’re generally good with other animals, but we’ll introduce them slowly.”
“Okay, I think it’s ready,” she announced triumphantly a few moments later.
I plated the pasta while she poured the wine, and together we made our way to the kitchen table.It was getting too cold to eat outside, and the dining room was too formal for the two of us.
“You still want to have everyone over?”She raised a questioning brow as we dug into the meal.
I’d been wanting to host our family and friends for a while now—though I hadn’t shared the real reason.“I do.You still good with that?”
“Yeah, it’ll be fun.I just wish Haley and Oliver could come.I still can’t believe I haven’t met your sister and nephew.”
“I’m sure they’ll be here for the holidays.Hales will graduate soon, which should free up her time.”
“Maybe she’ll move back.I hate the idea of her raising Oliver alone when she has so much family here.”
“We’re all hoping that.But she’s almost as stubborn as Daphne.She’ll have to come to that decision on her own terms.”It had taken me a while to accept that fact.“This is delicious, by the way.”I gestured to my plate with my fork.
“Good.”She smiled, clearly pleased.“I saved something special for dessert.”
With a playful glint in her eyes, she slowly lowered the zipper of her hoodie, revealing sexy black lingerie beneath.
I nearly choked, coughing as I caught an eyeful of her gorgeous breasts outlined in the delicate lace.
“Christ, baby, you’re going to kill me.”I reached across the table, sweeping a finger along the curve of her cleavage.“Come here.”
I pulled her into my lap, my lips tracing the path my fingers had just followed.
“But the food…” she protested weakly as I stood, lifting her effortlessly into my arms and striding toward the stairs.
“It’ll keep.I can’t wait.”I was ravenous for the sight of whatever else her outfit had in store.
In the end, reality eclipsed anything I could have imagined.
When we finally got to finishing our dinner hours later, we both agreed it was even better cold.
Chapter 23
“Wow, I don’t think I’ve ever run with a pack before.”Katie laughed two days later as we made our way up our favorite running trail, with Ranger and Griffin’s shepherds leading the way.Our tanks and shorts had been swapped for long-sleeved tees and tights due to the chilly morning air.
“Isn’t it great?”I grinned.“Hudson’s on this whole kick to get a few guard dogs of our own so we don’t have to steal Griffin’s.”
“I doubt you’re putting up a fuss about having more animals.”She snorted knowingly.
“As long as they’re good with kids and Ranger, I’m good.”“How’s it going at the hospital?”I asked, changing the subject.
She’d been picking up extra shifts, and between her schedule and mine, we hadn’t seen each other as much as I would have liked.
“Busy as always.Glad to have a few days off.”
“Any dates lined up for said time off?”I bumped her shoulder lightly.
She huffed.“In this dating pool?Um, no.”
“We’ve got to get you on the apps then.You are way too gorgeous to be binging true crime TV on your days off.”
“Hey, those detectives are far better company than most of the men I’ve dated.”
“They’re also fictional, Katie.”I laughed breathlessly as we crested the last hill before turning to head back.