Page 11 of Mister McStudmuffin

My eyes fall to his mouth. The sensual curve of his lips. The softness of his beard beneath my palms. I feel myself leaning in.

When did we get this close to each other? So close I can feel the warmth from his breath. Scent the whiskey on his lips.

I really want to kiss him.

My brain finally engages, and I realize what’s about to happen. Kissing JD would, no doubt, be amazing. But it would also be a colossally bad idea. So instead, I stand up. “Wow, it’s getting late.”

He doesn’t say anything and I try not to look at his eyes, but I can tell he’s watching me closely.

“Thanks for the celebration drink. And well, for all your mentoring because it has been so helpful in my classes. I mean, I really feel like I have a leg up on my classmates.”

Leg up? What am I even saying right now.

He grabs my hand. “Chelsea. Stay.”

I do look at him then. His expression is heated, but earnest. He looks like a mafia boss sitting there. Something in his casual but confident demeanor. With his sleeves rolled up, his gritty tattoo and the look of—holy shit—lust on his face.

Panic spreads through me like wildfire and I know I have a fraction of a breath before I climb in his lap and ride him like the stud he is.

“I have to get home and feed Mike.”

“Feed him?”

I roll my eyes at my slip. “You know, I told him I’d bring takeout home tonight.”

He drops my hands and nods, but doesn’t say anything else.

So I just turn and leave.

chapter

six

Chelsea

I practically run out of the office, then jump into my car. I drive straight to my sister’s house. That’s where Mike is, anyways. Since Charlie’s no longer traveling so much for her job. Her obstetrician didn’t want her to travel this far into her pregnancy, she’s been keeping my boy instead of me bringing him to doggy daycare.

The car is barely in park before I’m letting myself into my sister’s house. At least I don’t have to wait to announce myself in case she and her boyfriend are canoodling. He’s out of town for the weekend.

The moment I open the front door, my big, goofy boy comes loping over to me. “Who’s my sweet boy?” I drop to my knees and wrap my arms around his furry neck. “I missed you today.”

“Should I be concerned?” Charlie asks.

I glance up and see my pregnant sister leaning against the foyer wall.

She frowns. “Why are you crying?”

I touch my cheeks and they are wet. “Huh, I didn’t realize I was crying.” I blow out a breath.

“I’ll get the ice cream and spoons. Go sit,” she says, pointing to her living room.

I toe off my shoes and go and flop myself down on her super plush couch. Mike turns himself in circles a few times, then lies down at my feet.

“Such a good boy.”

His ears perk up at my words and I swear he smiles at me.

Charlie sits next to me with a pint of Blue Bell Cookie Two Step. “What happened?” she asks.