Page 86 of Over Time Advantage

He points to the crotch of his pants and raises his eyebrows.

“Oh,” I mutter, “you couldn’t finish?”

He shakes his head. “No. I…couldn’t even get…started.”

“What?” I practically shout. “You’re always up and ready to go. Even minutes after we’re done, you’re up and running again.”

He tucks his lips under his teeth as he hangs his head briefly before lifting it again to meet my eyes. “For you, yes. For her, no.”

He looks pained as he plops down on one of his kitchen stools. “For the last few years of our marriage, I couldn’t get going for her. I assumed it was my problem. It’s why I can’t even fault her for having an affair. Obviously Pierce’s issues contributed to my lack of a social life, but my bedroom issues were also a big reason why I didn’t date after the divorce. I was embarrassed. Ashamed.”

“Oh, Jett,” I whisper, feeling his inner pain.

He takes a few breaths. “I was in a dark place. Darker than I’ve ever let on to you. My son was a mess. I was a mess. I spent time with him and went to work, completely engrossing myself in both. That’s it. I didn’t date, in part because I kept myself busy and in part because I didn’t think anyone would want me in my…condition.” His face softens a bit. “Then I met you.” A small smile briefly finds his face. “That night, things were…happening for me the second you sat next to me. The second I smelled you and our bodies touched. It was like you lit a torch I thought was permanently extinguished. After that night, every time I thought of you or looked at photos of you, the same thing happened.” He visibly swallows. “Are you repulsed by me right now?”

His unsure eyes stare into mine as if he’s bracing for impact. He’s the biggest contradiction in the history of gorgeous men.

I shake my head. “No, of course not. It’s⁠—”

“Don’t say it’s normal,” he interrupts in obvious frustration. “It’s not normal for a man in his thirties to be unable to get it up for his wife. Ginny looks like the fucking plastic Catwoman now, but she used to be attractive—at least on the outside. I should have been able to give her what she needed.”

“I wasn’t going to say it’s normal. I was going to say it’s a compliment.”

“A compliment?” he questions.

I nod. “Of course. You only get hard for me? Hell yes, it’s a compliment. If I told you that I only get wet for you, that you’re the only one who makes my pussy throb with need, that you’re the only one who has ever made me squirt during sex, would you be repulsed or turned on?”

The regrowing bulge in his pants gives me my answer. I look at it and lift an eyebrow. “See,” I point. “The thought of you being the only one who does it for me turned you on. Why wouldn’t it be the same for me? Needing an emotional connection to get turned on is nothing to be ashamed of.”

He stares at me for several long, silent moments before blurting, “I love you. I know I’m not supposed to say it until we’re at the six-month mark, but I can’t help it. I love you. I’m not love bombing you. I’m genuinely in love with you.”

I let out a laugh. “Who taught you the term love bombing?” There’s no way he knew that on his own.

He scrunches his face. “One of the guys on my team told me women hate men who profess their love before the six-month mark. That it’s called love bombing, and it’s a huge red flag. He profusely warned me against it.”

I get a huge case of the giggles. God, he’s so adorable. He’s like a brand-new puppy, completely naive to the world around him.

Placing my hands on my hips, I say, “Stop taking dating advice from men half your age. You’re twice the man they are, and don’t you ever forget it.” I then move to stand between his legs and cup his face. “Women my age don’t need waxed balls and don’t want you to hold back expressing what you’re feeling. We don’t want games. We know the things that really matter. We want honesty. We want to feel heard. We want to feel safe. We want to be made to feel sexy, like we’re more than just a rundown mom driving carpool.” I lean in and kiss his lips softly. “You make me feel all those things in spades. At the risk of being accused of love bombing, I love you too. When we were outside kissing, I nearly told you so.”

The dimple makes an appearance, and I let out a moan. “Ahh. I told you what would happen if I saw that dimple.”

The dimple gets deeper, and his eyes sparkle with mischief. “Does this mean it’s time for a little face sitting?”

I want to have fun, but I think he needs more reassurance before we do so. I wrap my arms around his neck and rest my forehead against his. “I don’t care about your past, love. We all have a past, both the good and the bad. I care about how you treat me and how I feel about you. I’m happy with our relationship. Happier than I’ve ever been.” I chew my lip nervously. “I want you to meet Harper. I think it’s time.”

He pulls me even closer to his body. “Really?”

I nod. “Yes.”

“I’d be honored.”

I can’t help but smile at the thought of my two favorite people in the world meeting. Yes, it’s time.

SEVENTEEN

FALLON

Coach Lakshmi calls the girls into a team huddle. “Great practice, ladies. We’re ready for tomorrow.” She looks at me. “Anything to add, Coach Fallon?”