Sweet On You

chapter Seventeen



Her cell phone rang.

Marley didn't have to look at the screen to know who it was. Tony had been calling her almost nonstop the past day and a half.

Well, nonstop might have been an exaggeration. However, he had called more often than usual, as if sensing her failure in getting Daniela to accept the Food Network deal.

She hadn't told him yet, and she wasn't looking forward to it.

She winced as her phone trilled the Mission: Impossible theme that was his ringtone. The longer she delayed the inevitable, the angrier he'd be, so she bit the bullet and answered. "Hi, Tony."

"What's this business with Daniela buying a soup kitchen?" he asked without preamble.

"Soup kitchen? I have no idea what you're talking about," she said truthfully. "I thought you were calling about her refusing to do the Food Network show."

"I'm very disappointed, Marley. I expected better results from you."

It hit her right in the middle of her chest. Instantly, she was a four year old again, being scolded for spilling her milk, or forgetting to pick up her toys, or one of the other list of things that used to drive her mom crazy.

But she wasn't four years old anymore, she reminded herself. She had a voice, and she knew how to use it. "I've been trying to encourage Daniela to accept the gig, but she's been distracted with the guy she's been seeing—"

"What?" Tony roared.

Oh no. Damn it. She squeezed her eyes shut. Why did she blurt that out? She hadn't meant to. She tried to backtrack. "I mean, I don't know that she's seeing anyone. I just assumed since she was going out a lot..."

Marley clamped a hand over her mouth. She wasn't helping the situation.

"She hasn't said anything to me about dating anyone. Only about buying some building to open a soup kitchen."

That was what all the secret calculations and plotting were about. She nodded. Interesting idea. Completely crazy, since Daniela's organizational skills didn't extend beyond the kitchen, but interesting nonetheless.

"Who is he?" Tony barked. "What does he do? Have you had him checked out?"

She winced, thinking about how angry Daniela was going to be when she found out she'd spilled the beans to Tony.

Would it annoy her or please her to have someone quiz her about Brian? It seemed like it'd be nice to have someone care so much that he interrogated her about the guy she was dating. Not that she was dating Brian. Not really, anyway.

"Marley," Tony snapped. "You're not listening."

"I didn't realize you were finished talking." She slapped a hand over her mouth, horrified that she let that slip. "Sorry, Tony. I didn't mean that exactly."

"Exactly? What the hell is going on out there? You don't sound like yourself either. Are you dating someone, too?"

He said it like it was inconceivable, so she defiantly said, "Yes, I am."

There was stunned silence—on both ends of the line.

She lifted her chin and doubled down. "Brian Benedict is great. Successful, handsome, and funny. And we have great chemistry."

Since he was Italian, Tony spoke effusively anyway, but right now he sounded especially loud. "You and Daniela move across the country, and you go crazy like co-eds on spring break."

"We haven't made any topless videos." Because some devil prodded her, she added, "Yet."

"This conversation is far from finished, Marley." He hung up.

She gripped her phone so tightly it was a wonder the case didn't crack. Her knees should have been trembling, and she should have been afraid for her job. She should have worried that she's blown her chance with Tony. But she felt...

Angry.

How dare he sound like it was such a stretch for her to date someone? She wasn't completely hideous, and she was nice. When she wanted to be, at least. Men wanted her. Sometimes.

She could prove it. Eyes narrowed, she made another call.

Brian answered right away. "Marley, is the world ending?"

"Not before we go to see a movie together."

"The world is definitely ending if you're asking me to a movie, but I think we can squeeze it in before it's all over. They're showing Die Hard at the Castro. It's a Christmas Classic if there ever was one."

"Great," she agreed savagely.

"You want to catch the early showing, or a later one?"

"Early."

"Excellent. I'll pick you up." He paused. "That's what this is about, isn't it? You want me for my ride?"

She smiled, just a little, his light-heartedness crowding her anger away. "It is really sexy."

"Damn. I knew it." He sighed dramatically. "I guess I'll have to deal."

She laughed.

"I love that sound. You should make it more. I'll text you before I head over. Marley?"

"Yes?"

"I'm glad you called," he said softly before he hung up.

She set her phone down. She was too.





It was the best moving watching experience ever.

Every time Bruce Willis came on the screen, the audience would yell "McLane!" They'd boo the bad guys and cheer every time there was an explosion.

But the real magic was with Brian. They shared popcorn with Junior Mints mixed in (her idea) and held hands (his idea).

Marley left the showing high on sugar and happiness. After a sushi snack, they got fresh cookies from next to the theater and cartons of milk and headed to her place.

She still felt fizzy and effervescent when Brian pulled into the driveway and parked—so much so she impulsively said, "Let's have our cookies in the backyard."

"Okay." Brian took her hand and let her lead the way.

The half-moon was their only light, so she went slowly. "I don't come back here that often."

"It's a shame. It's awesome." Brian nodded at the stone wall fencing the yard in. "Let's sit up there."

"Let's."

She watched him find a toe-hold and boost himself up, following his example less gracefully. She shifted her butt off a sharp spot, letting her legs dangle over the other side.

"Here." He handed her a carton of milk. "Chocolate chip cookie first?"

"Yes." She set the milk next to her and took the half cookie he held out. It was still warm from the oven, the chocolate chips melty and slightly bitter.

"I love cookies like this," Brian admitted. "My best friend's mom used to make cookies like this for us."

"Not your mom?"

"Hell no." He faked a shudder. "My mom is fantastic and talented in many ways that exclude cooking. She manages to burn water."

Marley smiled. "My mom's the same way. Growing up, I knew all the phone numbers for restaurants that delivered by heart."

"But now you have all the warm chocolate chip cookies you want."

She shook her head. "Daniela doesn't bake just for us. These days, she's not around that often either, though she has been baking more."

"Bummer." He held out another cookie. "Snickerdoodle?"

She broke half, swinging her feet, happy. "I didn't know you'd be able to see the lights of Golden Gate Bridge from here."

He nudged her shoulder with his. "Stick with me, kid. I'll take you places."

The brush of his body, even with all the layers of clothing, made her shiver. Impulsively, she turned her head and kissed his cheek.

"You missed." He pointed to his mouth.

Eyes narrowing, she braced herself on the wall, leaned, and kissed him on his lips.

He let her. Literally—he didn't make a move to help or encourage, nothing more than shifting closer to make it easier on her.

Giddy with power, she leaned into him, pressing herself to the side of his body. He tasted sweet, like cinnamon and chocolate. Daniela would have said those were the ingredients for seduction.

Was she ready to seduce?

Confused, she pulled back.

She'd have expected Brian to let her go. He surprised her by catching her by the back of her head. He held her close and took her mouth all over again.

He tore her world apart.

One touch of his lips redefined a kiss in her mind. It was more than the sweet kisses they'd shared before. It whispered of passion and dark need, of perilous heights and thrilling falls. It engulfed and enflamed. It made her soar and grounded her at once.

Something inside her body shifted, melted, came to life. She gasped, holding his arms to keep steady. "I think I just discovered your superpower," she murmured against his talented lips.

"As long as it's your Kryptonite." As he kissed her again, his hand snuck inside her sweater, and she felt it warm and exciting on her skin.

Then he lifted his head, brushing her tingling lips with his thumb, looking into her eyes like all the secrets of life were there. "Go out with me," he said. "On a real date, where it's purposeful, and I bring you flowers and take you to dinner and get nervous about whether you'll let me get to second base after."

"What's this?" Her voice was so husky with desire she didn't recognize it.

"This is an accidental encounter brought on by unseen forces." He held her chin with his fingers. "I'd like to go out once knowing that we're on the same page. That you admit you like me."

"I always liked you."

"Enough to go on a date with me?"

She tried to think of Tony, but the only face in her mind was Brian's. A date with him? That'd be...

Nice.

Fun.

Hot, if making out tonight was any indication.

Maybe Valentine was right. Maybe she should just try it.

So she nodded. "Okay."

"Okay." He exhaled, letting her go. "Good."

Trying not to feel bereft by the loss of touch, she straightened her clothing. "Brian?"

"Marley?" He hopped down from the wall and held his arms open.

She jumped into them, knowing without a doubt that he'd catch her. She slid down his body and braced her hands on his shoulders. "You don't need to worry about getting to second base."

His smile was like the sun rising. "Good to know."

She gave him what she hoped was a mysterious smile and led him back through the garden.