Page 129 of Over the Line

“Smart woman.” He gave her a second kiss before heading for the refrigerator to pull out the platter of meat that he’d seasoned earlier. “Who wants hot dogs?”

“Me!” Lottie called out.

“And who wants cheese on their burger?”

After everyone had placed their orders, he went back outside while she and Melanie arranged the side dishes and tucked spoons into the containers.

Since the sun was shining and it was a gorgeous fall day, they ate outside on the patio.

Then once the dishes were handled and leftovers stored, they moved on to coffee and dessert.

Since the girls were more interested in their horse than strawberry shortcake, Michael walked them over to the corral.

One of the hands said he’d be happy to watch the kids and give them each a turn on horseback.

Much later, after Sydney had devoured a second slice of chocolate torte, Melanie rounded up her family and headed for the car.

As Sydney and Michael waved goodbye, he draped an arm around her shoulders.

“Finally. I thought they’d never leave.”

She could guess what he had on his mind. “I enjoyed the visit.”

“Glad to hear that. It helps that you like her. Jane didn’t.”

Which was surprising. Melanie was delightful and easygoing.

“Enough about that.” He looked at her. “I am relieved to finally have you all to myself.”

“I’ll make the wait worth your while.”

“Will you?” He stroked her upper arm. “You always do.”

After he gave her a spectacular kiss, she wiggled away from him.

“Keep in mind, brat, I don’t like to be kept waiting.”

Which certainly did not encourage her to hurry up.

Aware of his heated gaze on her rear, she walked up the path, swaying her hips provocatively.

“You’re going to be in trouble for that.”

At the doorway, she looked back and blew a kiss over her shoulder.

With a groan, he followed her inside.

Quickly, she headed upstairs to the room that she had claimed as her office, opened her desk drawer, and took out the present she’d ordered for herself.

She opened the box, wincing when her finger snagged on a pointed metal stud. Then, with his surprise in hand, she headed into their bedroom and changed into a short skirt.

Next, she removed her bra and pulled on a tight white sweater that left her midriff bare.

Finally, breaths unsteady, she fastened the collar around her neck before slipping into the wicked, studded heels he’d bought for her.

In front of the mirror, she scrunched her hair, styling it around her face.

“Holy fuck.”