Until We Touch (Fool's Gold #15)

Dyna turned to gaze at her. The cat’s blue eyes closed slowly.

“You’re right,” Larissa told her. “It’s my problem and therefore the solution is in me. But maybe you could give me a hint?”

Dyna continued to purr. Larissa closed her own eyes and felt herself start to relax. The answer would be there, she told herself. All she had to do was keep looking for it.

* * *

“I CAN’T TASTE anymore truffles,” Taryn said. “If I do, I won’t fit in my dress. You and Angel can decide. But I do want the larger sprays of flowers for the ceremony.”

She paused, then groaned. “Is that right? Are they too big?”

Dellina took notes as Taryn spoke. “Either size will be beautiful.”

Her voice was calm, almost soothing. Jack figured it was a trick she’d picked up, given her line of business. Psycho brides would go with the territory. He’d heard rumors about them but until recently, he’d thought they were an urban myth. Now he knew better. He would never have guessed he would hear Taryn worrying about flower arrangements for any reason. Or tuxedo truffles or tulle, whatever the hell that was.

Accompanying their very female conversation was the steady beat from Percy’s speakers. Despite the fact that the kid was upstairs, the throbbing of his music’s bass vibrated through the house. The front door opened and the two chiweenies Larissa hadn’t taken with her to walk started barking. Jack looked around his living room and thought longingly of escape.

“We come carrying beer,” Sam said as he walked into the living room. “It’s nearly time.”

Kenny held up two giant bags of takeout. “I don’t know if I got enough.”

“You’re fine,” Taryn said before Jack could speak. “Angel will be by shortly with chips, dip and nuts.” She bent down and scooped up one of the dogs. The other one ran to Jack and began scratching at his knee, trying to get Jack to pick him up.

Sam and Kenny disappeared into the kitchen with the food and the beer, Angel walked in with more shopping bags. Taryn called to him while Dellina went to sort through all the food. Kenny stuck his head back into the living room.

“Hey,” he said. “It’s starting. We need the TV on.”

Jack stood in the middle of the chaos and wondered why he’d thought this was a good idea. Sure watching the first game of the season together was a tradition, but it wasn’t as if it was a good one. He would prefer a little peace and quiet. Right now his house felt like a war zone.

The front door opened again and both dogs started barking. The sound intensified when Larissa came in with the three dogs she’d taken out. There were barks and yips and calls for quiet and the theme music for the NFL game. Jack was about to grab his car keys and run when his gaze locked on Larissa.

She was bent over, releasing the three chiweenies from their leashes. Nothing about the moment was all that special, yet seeing her allowed him to breathe again. He scooped up a couple of the dogs and told them to be quiet. Everyone found their way to the sofas to watch the game and he went in the other direction. Toward Larissa.

“They’re all walked,” she told him, absently taking one of the dogs he held. “They should be good for the rest of the day. They can use the backyard for their potty breaks.”

He drew her into the kitchen. There was an open twelve-pack of beer, several covered dishes that probably needed to be put in the refrigerator. Chips and nuts had to be put into bowls. But he didn’t care about that.

He set his dog down, took hers from her and did the same, then pulled her close and kissed her.

Her mouth was soft and warm. She moved against him, her tongue tangling with his until all he could think about was taking her upstairs and having his way with her. Only they had a house full of company and there was a teenager awake and dogs to worry about. When had his life gotten so complicated?

She drew back and smiled at him. “Nice greeting. So I should leave more often?”

“Not really. I just missed you.”

She looked at the mess in the kitchen. “Too many people going in too many directions?”

“Taryn and Dellina were discussing tulle.”

She laughed. “Do you know what that is?”

“It’s something to do with the wedding, so no.”

She hugged him. “You’re such a guy.”

“That should make you happy.”

“It does.”

* * *

THE L.A. STALLIONS won their season opener, which put everyone in a good mood. Larissa enjoyed watching football with the guys. Not because she cared about the sport, but because they did. Plus, when they complained about a bad call or sloppy play, they knew exactly what they were talking about. She’d worked with them for so long she sometimes forgot that expertise was fun.