Free Deadly Adventure (Hardy Brothers Security Book 19) by Lily Harper Hart Page A

love the way you’re mind works, baby,” James said, claiming his wife’s mouth with insistent need as she rubbed himself against her body. “Welcome home, baby.”

8
    Eight
    “ Y ou’re walking funny , baby,” James said the next morning, his grin triumphant as he watched Mandy shuffle from the kitchen table to the sink to dispose of her coffee mug. “Did something … happen … last night? Were you injured?”
    Mandy’s expression was rueful – and a bit amused – when she turned to face her husband. “Are you fishing for compliments? Do you want me to say that we had so much sex last night that I’m sore?”
    “I don’t ever want you to hurt,” James replied honestly. “Since this is only a matter of mild discomfort and it makes me look like a sexual god, though, that’s exactly what I want to hear.”
    “You were a god amongst men. Are you happy?”
    “Only if you repeat it a few more times,” James replied.
    “You’re kind of sick sometimes,” Mandy said, shaking her head as she moved back toward the table. “You should be feeling sorry for me. I’m going to be uncomfortable all day. Instead you’re patting yourself on the back because we played naughty games well into the night.”
    James appreciatively ran his hands over Mandy’s hips. He loved her work outfits, the pencil skirts and heels hiding just enough of her body to kick his imagination into overdrive. “Why don’t you call in sick?” he suggested. “The judge will understand if you have jet lag.”
    “Ha, ha.” Mandy playfully slapped his hands away. “I only have a few months left, James. I can’t take another big chunk of time off. It’s not fair. I have a job to do, and I’m going to do it.”
    “People get sick all of the time, baby,” James said, feigning petulance. “That’s one of the few good things about your job. You have a boatload of sick days. You should use one.” He reached for Mandy’s slim waist again but she easily sidestepped him.
    “You have work, too,” she reminded him. “You’ve been out of the office for almost ten days. I know you’re going to want to check the books to see what your brothers have been up to in your absence. You did leave Grady in charge, after all. He could’ve changed your whole filing system when you weren’t looking. He’s been complaining about it for months.”
    James scowled. He didn’t like being reminded of real world issues when his head was in the clouds – or rather, under his wife’s skirt. “You play dirty, baby,” he said. “How about we compromise?”
    “Ooh, I love a negotiation.”
    “If I allow you go to work with nothing more than a kiss, you have to promise to let me take you out to dinner tonight and ravish you to my liking this evening,” James prodded.
    “Can we have seafood? I’m dying for crab legs and lobster.”
    “Absolutely.” James enthusiastically nodded. “I’m all for anything that we didn’t have while in London. It’s a beautiful city, but I’m happy to have more food choices now.”
    “That makes two of us,” Mandy said. “I agree to your terms.” She leaned over and kissed him. “I love you.”
    James cupped the back of her head to keep her close. “I love you more.”
    “I don’t think that’s possible.”
    “We’ll have a competition when we get home tonight,” James said, offering her another soft kiss. “Have fun at work.”
    Mandy straightened. “You, too,” she said. “Try not to kill Grady if he changed something. Boredom makes him do strange things. You knew it was a possibility when you left him in charge.”
    “I can make you no promises on that front,” James said, smiling as he watched Mandy sashay toward the front door. “Hey, baby?”
    Mandy glanced over her shoulder, her blue eyes expectant. “What?”
    “If you don’t wear underwear under that skirt I’ll buy you thirty lobster tails at dinner tonight.”
    Mandy grinned. “I’m already way ahead of you.”
    “And that’s