“Together,” I repeat, testing the word. “What does that mean?”
“It means we’re a team.” He shifts onto his side, facing me fully in the shadows. “I want to be there for her and for you. I’m in this for the long haul. We’ll figure out the rest as we go.”
Before I can overthink it, I lean up and find his lips in the darkness.
His sharp intake of breath tells me he wasn’t expecting it. He goes completely still, and I think I’ve made a mistake. Then his hand slides into my hair, angling my head as he kisses me back.
It’s nothing like Vegas. That night was heat and urgency. This is slow. His mouth moves against mine as if he’s memorizing the shape of my lips and the way I taste.
I pull back. “She’s moving.”
Antonio’s entire expression shifts. “Really?”
I press my stomach more firmly against his middle. “Right here. Can you feel that?”
We stay frozen like that, waiting. His hand stills on my back, both of us barely breathing.
“I can’t feel it,” he says.
“I’m sorry.” I start to pull back, but his hand on my back keeps me there.
“Don’t be sorry.” He cups the back of my neck. “Tell me every time she moves. Even if I can’t feel it yet. I want to know.”
“Okay,” I whisper.
He pulls me back down into another kiss. Slower this time. A brush of lips, then another. He chases my mouth when I pull back, and I smile against his lips.
We stay like that, trading slow kisses while the storm rages outside. Eventually, the kisses grow lazy. My eyes are heavy and I let my head fall to his chest.
His arms wrap around me, and I let myself sink into the warmth of him. Into the safety of being held.
Antonio
The café in townis nearly empty at seven in the morning. I grab the bag of food from the counter and turn toward the door.
“Antonio?”
I stop. The voice is familiar, and not in a way that makes me want to stay.
Dani leans against the wall near the entrance, coffee cup in hand, dark hair pulled back in a ponytail. She’s wearing workout clothes, probably heading to yoga.
I met her three years ago when I bought the lake house. She was my real estate agent, and we hooked up after signing the papers.
“Hey.” I keep my tone neutral. “Early morning for you.”
“Could say the same about you.” She pushes off the wall and moves closer. “You look good. Really good.”
“Thanks.”
“I saw a car parked at the house yesterday. Wondered if you might be around.” Her smile is the same one that used to workon me. “I’m free tonight. We could grab dinner, maybe head back to your place after.”
Six months ago, I would have said yes without thinking. Dani was easy, uncomplicated, and she never expected anything beyond a fuck or two. Exactly my type.
Now the thought of touching anyone other than Jasmine makes my stomach turn.
“I can’t,” I say. “I’m busy.”
Her eyebrows rise. “Busy doing what? Staring at the lake?” She takes a sip of her coffee. “Come on. One dinner. For old times’ sake.”
