My mouth went dry.
Where the hell was the baggy dress? The cardigan?
Her hair was loose, wild curls framing her face, but the dress… the deep maroon one that clung to every curve that stopped me cold. It was that dress that did me in. Low enough to show the soft swell of her breasts. High enough to give me a glimpse of those thighs I’d spread open.
I remembered the weight of her tits in my hands, the way her ass cushioned every thrust as she took all of me—breathless, silent, begging for more.
She was built forme. Forme alone.
My gaze swept the room, narrowing on every man whose eyes lingered as she walked towards the ladies’ washroom.
I decided to catch up with Cathryn and see how my niece was doing in class.
Grace was five. The most trouble she’d gotten into lately was a scuffle over a glitter pen.
But hey—I was just being a responsible uncle.
Not a territorial bastard with a fixation on a certain new teacher.
“Hi, Kade,” she said as she saw me approach.
“Hi, Cathryn. No Sam tonight?”
“Nah, it’s girls’ night with my new bestie,” she said, sitting a little straighter.
I seemed to have that effect on people.
I slid into the booth, leaving just enough room for Juliette to either sit next to me—or awkwardly hover while Cathryn refused to move.
“Can I buy you ladies a drink?” I asked, nodding at the table.
“I’ve still got two, and Juliette’s slow-sipping her way through orange juice,” Cathryn said, nose wrinkling in disgust.
My fingers drummed against the sticky table.
No alcohol. Interesting.
“How’s Grace doing?”
Cathryn smiled and began telling me about my bright, sharp little niece. I listened in earnest, though my mind started to drift. I could picture a smaller version of me and Juliette—dark curls, stubborn eyes, a mouth that refused to back down. The idea had been tucked away in the back of my head, but now it hit me square in the chest. I could see Juliette—soft, glowing, heavy with our child.
Thirty-five was knocking at my door, and I was getting on in age. All the hopes and plans I’d once had had crumbled after Nadine. But now I could see it clearly—she’d never have fit with me or my family. Juliette, though… she was different. Stronger. Stubborn. Built to carry everything I’d been holding back.
I was mid-thought when Juliette appeared beside the table.
I grinned and patted the seat next to me.
She froze, eyes darting to Cathryn.
Cathryn lifted both hands. “Nope. If I need to hurl, I need a clear shot to the toilets.”
Juliette’s head snapped back to me. “Move.”
“I can’t,” I said, spreading my legs a little wider. “Need the leg room.”
She mumbled something dark under her breath, then sat—rigid and annoyed, thigh brushing mine.
Exactly where I wanted her.
