Free Justice by Piper Davenport Page B

work?”
    “You’re leaving right now?”
    He ran a finger over her slightly pouted lip. “You want me to come back earlier?”
    “Kinda, yeah.”
    Dallas chuckled. “I need a shower, babe, so I can do that, then come right back. We can make out on the sofa until it’s time for dinner.”
    He watched her face redden. “That would be awesome,” she whispered.
    “Seriously? I was joking.”
    “I can’t seem to stop kissing you, so yeah, definitely.”
    “I’ll go right now.” He rose to his feet and headed into the kitchen, rinsing his mug and setting it in the sink.
    Macey followed him to the door, and then raised her head for a kiss. Breaking the kiss, he stared at her for a few seconds.
    “What?” she asked.
    “Gun range.”
    “Huh?”
    “I need to get you shooting. We’ll do that this week.”
    Macey wrinkled her nose. “Why?”
    “Because if I’m gonna stay with you, or vice-versa, that means I’m gonna have my gun, ergo, you need to learn how to use it.”
    She giggled. “Ergo?”
    “Therefore, hence.”
    “Yes, I know what it means; you just don’t typically use words like ‘ergo.’”
    He smiled. “I’ll set up some days for us to go to the range.”
    “Okay, honey.”
    Dallas leaned down to kiss her again and smiled against her lips. “See you soon.”
    She nodded and locked the door behind him. Leaning against the wall, she sighed. How quickly things had changed… again.
    “Mase?” Payton called, and then walked into the living room. “Is Dallas gone?”
    Macey nodded.
    “Why’s your door shattered?”
    Macey sighed. “I had a nightmare and Dallas kicked it down. He’s gonna fix it before the landlord sees it. I hope.”
    Payton grinned.
    “What?” Macey asked.
    “You just look… I don’t know. Settled,” Payton said.
    “That’s a good word.”
    “So, what now?” Payton flopped into her favorite chair.
    Macey sat on the sofa, her back to the armrest and settled her head in her hand. “In pure Dallas fashion, he has us married off within days.”
    Payton smiled sadly. “He was going to propose.” She gasped. “Crap. I wasn’t supposed to say anything.”
    “It’s fine, Pay. He told me.”
    “He did?”
    Macey nodded.
    “How do you feel about that?”
    “The news or the fact he was going to propose back then?” Macey asked.
    Payton shrugged. “Both.”
    “I would have said yes.”
    “I know,” Payton whispered.
    “So, I’m trying not to be sad that we didn’t get that life, and I’m a little surprised he told me…" She smiled. “But then again, not so much, because it’s Dallas.”
    “And he can’t keep a secret from you,” Payton finished.
    Macey giggled. “No, which is so weird, because he’s so good at his job.”
    “True.” Payton smiled. “You will have that life, Mase. It’s just a little delayed.”
    “A week ago, I would have said you were nuts.”
    “And now?” Payton asked.
    “Now, I think you might be right.”
    “Finally!”
    “Payton.” Macey closed her eyes. “Try not to get your hopes up.”
    “What’s that supposed to mean?”
    “He will eventually figure out that this isn’t what he wants.”
    Payton laughed and headed into the kitchen.
    “What?” Macey asked.
    “You’re an idiot.”
    “Pardon?”
    “I love you, Mase, but seriously, you are an idiot.” Payton poured a cup of coffee.
    “Shut up, Payton,” she grumbled.
    Payton laughed again. “Especially, because I get to watch you as Dallas locks on and doesn’t let go. Hope you’re strapped in, honey, ’cause you fight him and you’re gonna get tossed around a bit.”
    “Why did I have to fall in love with him ?”
    “You mean, why did you have to fall in love with someone who knows you and all those who love you the most, which means, you can’t manipulate, spin, or cajole how you want this to go?”
    “Shut up, Payton,” she repeated.
    Payton kept going. “Admit it, you’re a control freak,” Payton said.
    “I am not,” Macey argued.