“Fuck.” I kiss her inner thigh. “Janie, doll, you’re amazing. That was incredible.”
“It really was,” she murmurs.
She doesn’t move to get up. I don’t mind. I could lie here with her legs open in front of my face all damn night. I stroke my hands up and over her waist and hips. She’s so fucking soft. Such softness should be impossible, and yet here she is, lying on top of me.
“I fantasized about you every day,” I tell her. “Every night. It was never as good as this.”
“I fantasized about you, too.” She swings her leg over to get up.
I already mourn the loss of lying with her so intimately, but there will, hopefully, be more opportunities. “Wait right here.”
I run warm water over a washcloth in the bathroom and bring it back to her. She tries to take it from me, but I wave her hands away. “Let me do it, doll. It’s my job to take care of you.”
She blushes, but lets me clean between her thighs. “Your, um, your beard is messy.”
I grin and make no move to clean it. “I know.”
Her blush deepens, spreading to her neck and chest.
When she reaches for her underwear, I want to stop her. “You could stay the night, you know.”
“Not unless we have a talk with Ariel.” She shakes her head. “I can’t stand lying to her or keeping something like this from her.”
“I understand.” I sit on the sofa and tug her onto my lap, glad she hasn’t put on her dress yet, so I can touch more of her skin. “If you choose to be with me,” I say, “I’ll talk to Ariel. Also, I’ll deal with people at work, if you’re worried about it. I’ll make an announcement. No one will disrespect you, Janie. They love you too much already.” Just like I do.
She nods, a small smile playing on her face. “All right, Mr. Capulet. I trust you to figure it out.”
I will. And if anyone makes the slightest motion or eyeroll of disrespect, they’re gone.
“I should get going.” She leans over to kiss me on the cheek. “Thank you for dinner, and for…everything.”
“Anytime, Janie.”
Once we’re outside, I crowd her against the side of her car. I don’t want to think about Ariel or work or anything else, just Janie’s sweet, sugar-cookie scent. “We have more talking to do. I’ll text you tomorrow, okay, doll?”
“Okay.” She blinks up at me with her beautiful, brown eyes. “Goodnight, Mr. Capulet.”
“Goodnight, Janie.”
Before she can turn around, I grab her chin and cover her mouth with mine. I could taste her all day, all night, and into eternity.
When we pull apart, I note with satisfaction the dazed, lustful look in her eyes.
“Tomorrow, my sweet doll. We’ll talk.”
“Y-yeah.” She nods and fumbles with her keys. “Talk. Tomorrow.”
9
JANIE
I’m so confused. I went to bed confused, and I woke up confused.
Tag makes me feel amazing.
Mr. Capulet makes me feel amazing.
They’re both sweet, kind, funny, and they bring out the best in me. Even Tag, when he’s driving me absolutely crazy, helps me take account of my own feelings, rather than constantly trying to please others. When I’m with Mr. Capulet, I feel capable and assertive.
