Page 50 of Under the Radar

He raised an eyebrow. “What did that soulless motherfucker of an ex do to you? What are you afraid of?”

“I’m not afraid. Lots of men have tried to get in my pants and my wallet. He succeeded at both.”

“You’re not over it?”

“Yes, I am.” But she still couldn’t believe she’d actually gotten herself into it in the first place.

“Well, I’ll own up to the panties part, but your wallet holds no interest for me. Either way—you’re not going to dismiss me like the pool boy or some senator’s son at one of your parents’ glitzy cocktail parties. I’m in this for the long haul.” He took a sip of his bourbon and set it on the bar.

“You’re being stubborn. You ought to accept my offer and go home to your daughter.”

Mac strode over to the wall and braced his hands on either side of her. “Accept your offer? I’ll make you a counteroffer. One of these days when all this shit is over, you’re going to find yourself in that house in the suburbs you’ve talked about. We’re going to need a housekeeper a couple days a week because I’m hoping we have a couple kids together and include Lily, if you’re willing. And after we freeze our asses off on the soccer field? I plan to heat you up in a big stone shower with lots of jets and remind you that we’ve carved out a little bit of paradise for ourselves with a wonderful family—not our money.” He punctuated the statement with a sound kiss.

Stunned, Mo touched her lips. “Well, aren’t you the bossy dreamer tonight?” And wasn’t it just a little bit nice that he had a dream that included her desires too?

He crossed his arms and leaned against the bar. “I’m a bit full of myself after being compared to an ice cream flavor. What’s the name of my competition?”

Mo wrinkled her nose. What the hell was he talking about? “Excuse me?”

“You said you’ve had longer relationships with an ice cream flavor. Which flavor? A man has the right to face his opponent head-on.”

She swallowed a giggle. “It’s called Fat Boyfriend.”

Mac cackled. “He’s going down, Mo. We are going to last a lot longer than your fat boyfriend.”