“I guess I don’t have to introduce you to Johnny Rogue, the resident pain in my ass, as he has pretty much shown his true self in less than a minute.”
He smiles deviously. “At least my second name isn’t Francis. How is it possible that we have worked together for that long, and I had no idea?”
“Shut up, John Arthur Mayfield the third.” I laugh, using his full name I know he hates. “Back to the introductions—you two already met Soph, and her partner Jax is our shop manager. He must be working on something, so he’ll join us later. Dom and Nelly, our colleagues who are dating each other, are taking time off to visit Moon Harbor, Maine. Then our newest addition, Lisette, is off today as well.”
Tanya smiles and takes hold of my hand. “It was lovely to meet y’all, but if you don’t mind, I would like to see where my love works.”
I lead her to my workspace, locking the door as snickers echo behind us. The moment we’re alone, I push her against the door and devour her mouth, moving my hands through her hair. “I missed you so damn much.”
“Me too, but for now, less talking, more kissing,” Tanya pants between kisses.
Her hand moves between us, traveling south to my belt. But I know we can’t continue this here without it feeling somehow weird to me. “These walls have seen enough without us giving them another show.”
She pouts. “You surely know how to kill the mood, huh?”
Her words make me chuckle, and I take my keys from the table. “I was about to suggest that we drive to my place ten minutes away and continue there.”
“Now you’re talking—I love that idea.”
“Not as much as I love you.”
Tanya kisses me again. “I’ll never get tired of hearing that. And I love you, too.”
“Good, because I’m about to tell you that every single day for the rest of our lives.”
“I can’t wait!”
When we leave the room after checking that we look presentable, I can see the confusion on others’ faces.
“I knew it was going to be quick, but that must be a Guinness World Record,” Rogue jokes, amusement flickering across his face.
I narrow my eyes looking his way. “Unlike you, I’m a gentleman.”
“Keep telling yourself that,mate.”
I turn to Soph next to ask for a favor. “Can you organize dinner for all of us tonight and hang out with Sally until then?”
“Sure. Any suggestions on where we should go?”
“Anything goes. If you can, check if any of my sisters can join us. My parents are visiting my aunt in Colorado, so they won’t be there. You can easily find their numbers on that group chat about romance novels.”
“I’ll get to it right now. Enjoy your time with each other.” Soph winks.
It takes me seven minutes instead of ten to drive to my apartment building and even less time to get Tanya naked once we get inside my place. We spend the next two hours showing how much we missed each other before getting ready for dinner.
The small Italian restaurant that Soph picked for tonight’s get-together fills with laughter as Jax retells one of his favorite memories about the time Rogue and I performed “Total Eclipse of the Heart” during a team karaoke night.
“I swear, I’ve never had such a hard time not pissing myself as I had that fucking moment. These two, their god awful singing voices and cringeworthy choreography ending on a kiss on that small stage, were all so damn priceless.”
Tanya places her hand on top of mine, resting on my thigh under the table, and gently squeezes it. “I don’t know if I agree with you there, as I find Spade’s lack of musical skills endearing. We had many memorable moments singing along to different country songs on his many playlists.”
“Are you serious?” Jax asks, a hint of humor lacing his voice.
“Of course. Why would I lie to you?”
My boss snorts. “I like you, Tanya. I can see why Spade walked with his head in the clouds after returning from his trip. He would be stupid to let you get away again.”
Tanya’s features soften. “I would be the stupid one if I ever walked away from him.”
