Page 89 of Twice as Tempting

“So, what’s next for you two?”

“Well, we’re leaving for Florida in a couple weeks, and then your wedding is after that.”

“That’s not exactly what I meant,” Emma said, “but ok.”

“Oh, you meant about the future, future?”

“Yes, but you don’t have to answer, Kell. I just want you to be happy.”

“You know what? We don’t have everything mapped out, to borrow Damian’s words, but I am happy. Very happy.” Kelly glanced in the rearview mirror again, and Damian waved at her.

“Has Damian had a chance to call Zack yet? He’s been driving me nuts for two days!”

Kelly laughed. “Yes. As a matter of fact, he’s on the phone with Zack right now.”

“Good. While I have you on the phone, we need to go over a few business items. Namely, the next book club meeting. Mrs. Simmons was in earlier today, and she asked if you had set a date yet.”

“No, but that’s the first thing on my agenda when I get back. I need to stop by my apartment to change, but I thought I’d come in to work after that.”

“Sounds good. I’m leaving soon, but Brett will be here, so you should be able to get your work done.”

“Em? Before I forget, are you sure you don’t want a bachelorette party? There’s still time to get a few of our friends together for a ladies’ night out.”

“You know what? I’d rather hang out with my best girlfriend, kind of like we used to do before these two overbearing yet undoubtedly gorgeous Greek men came into our lives.”

“Sounds good to me! Movie night at my apartment?”

“Yes, and Zack can hang out with Damian that night. I’ll ask my parents to babysit.”

“It’s a date!”

“Do you think Damian will mind? He might not want to be apart from you now that you’re officially ‘in love.’”

“I’m sure he won’t mind. He’ll probably be glad to spend some one-on-one time with his brother.”

“Oh no. Do I have to?” Damian complained.

Kelly and Damian were in her apartment after work that evening, and she had just broken the news about ladies’ night. “I can’t believe you wouldn’t want to spend some good quality time with your brother!”

“It’s just that his idea of a good time differs from mine.”

“How so?”

“For example, I could sit and watch a game and not say a word, while he would sit there and talk the entire time! The man’s exhausting.”

Kelly giggled. “Maybe you two could play cards or something. Don’t you have some poker buddies?”

Damian scowled. “I hate playing games. Haven’t we already established that?”

“Ok. So, why don’t you watch an X-rated movie? Isn’t that what guys do at bachelor parties?”

“First of all, I’m not interested in watching porn with my brother. Second, a bachelor party is usually made up of more than two people, and there might even be strippers. Hmm…”

“Oh no you don’t. You and Zack should just drink a few beers and watch a gangster movie or something.”

“What about you and Emma? What will you two be doing that evening?”

“We’re going to make frozen strawberry daiquiris and watch a romantic movie.”

They were sitting next to each other on the couch, and Damian got that gleam in his eye. “Will there be a pillow fight?”

“Yes. Yes, there will be. And it starts right now!” Kelly reached behind her for the throw pillow that she had been resting against and flung it at Damian before he could react. This set off a retaliation whereby he pinned her to the couch and pummeled her with said pillow gently yet repeatedly until she cried “uncle.”

Damian continued to hold her arms down while she caught her breath. “The truth is that I hate the thought of being away from you for even one night,” he said.

Kelly thought about all the time they had spent apart in the past and sent up a silent thank you to God for bringing Damian back into her life. “We don’t have to be apart all night. Emma will want to leave at a reasonable time to get back to her girls, and Zack will too. You can come over after they leave.”

Damian’s features instantly relaxed, and he bent down to kiss her. She opened her mouth wider to accept his tongue, and the match was lit. Kelly tried to keep track of how many times he said “I love you” between kisses, but she lost count somewhere around twenty. After that, it was hard to keep track of anything else.