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“You’ll call me if you need anything?”
Dallas is a helper. The kind of man who likes to be depended on and needed. I lean into that sometimes, by asking him to open a jar. To reach something that’s too high for me. He always gets a little smug. A little more self-assured and rolls his shoulders back. It’s never cockiness but more like he’sproudthat he’s wanted.
God,I want him so much.
In every way imaginable.
“I will,” I promise, and I wrap my legs around his waist. “You know I always need you.”
“Not like that.” He dips his chin and kisses my neck. He smooths his hands up my thighs, and I part my legs wider. “But I guess like that. God, Maven. Let me keep you forever.”
And ever and ever.
Let’s grow old together.
“That’s an awfully long time. I hope you don’t get sick of me.”
“Never.”
Dallas brings his mouth to mine, and the kiss is full of fire. It’s scorching hot, but I sort through the need we have for each other and find the dash of sweetness and the splash of love he always adds to his affection. It’s hidden. Secret. A sprinkle of tenderness amidst the deep glide of pleasure sweeping up my body.
I can feel it in the way he holds the back of my head to deepen the kiss.
The reverent way his fingers brush across my chest.
The smile he’s giving me—I can’t see it, but I know it’s there. In the curve of his lips. In the scrunch of his nose and the wrinkles near his eyes. Pure, undiluted bliss.
It’s in his reluctance to pull away. In the way he whispers my name, regretful to let go, as if we’ll be separated for days instead of hours.
Perhaps my most favorite of all is the care and consideration he uses when he takes my heart in his hands. Gently, like he plans to guard it for the rest of his days.
Maggie and Laceyare already at the restaurant by the time I get there.
One orgasm and a traffic nightmare later, I stumble inside slightly winded, slightly frazzled, but happily satisfied.
“Hi,” I say when I slide into the booth across from them after we exchange a round of hugs. “I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Lacey says, and she reaches out to grab my hand. Her wedding bands are cool on my skin, and I smile down at the glittering diamonds. “Everything okay?”
I bite my lip and try to hide my smile. “Everything’s great. These last few months have been the busiest of my life, and I feel like we’re finally starting to slow down. Except for tonight, clearly, because I’m way behind schedule.”
“I think we need to make a toast.” Maggie pours us each a glass of wine, and we hold up our drinks. “To the woman who has never watched a kid before, but is successfully navigating the role andnailingit.”
“And,” Lacey adds, “to the woman who’s made a name for herself as an up-and-coming sports photographer for a top NFL team.”
“Okay. How much did Dad and Shawn pay you to say these things?” I laugh and we knock our glasses together. “It’s totally unnecessary. They’re my jobs. I’m not out here operating on people’s brains or diagnosing sickness like you all are.”
“Knock that shit off. We don’t measure our successes against each other. What’s new? How’s June? Is Dallas doing okay?” Lacey asks. “That boy is something else, isn’t he?”
“Dallas is…” I blush and take a long sip of wine. “Great, yeah. A very thoughtful guy.”
“Thoughtful enough to leave a hickey on your neck?” Maggie grins and lifts her chin toward my throat. “Did he even try to hide it under the turtleneck?”
“Oh my god,” I hiss. “It’s not—we’re not?—”
“If you eventryto lie to us, we’re disowning you, Maven. We’ve known for weeks.” Lacey puts her elbows on the table and grins. “Spill.”
“Weeks?You’re joking.”
