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“Okay. And what kind of picture do you want? I’m going to need to hear you say the words ‘send me a dick pic, Daniel’ for consent reasons.”

I laughed. “Send me a dick pic.”

“One dick pic, coming up.”

“Awwww, just one?”

I could tell he was smiling.

“Do you want to tell me what kind of pictures you want?” I asked. “For consent reasons?”

“With you I consent to everything.”

I snorted.

“You know, for the record, I wish I was there and didn’t need the picture at all…” he said.

I gave the phone a wry grin. “And what would you do to me if you were here?”

“Hmmmm. Let’s see,” he said, his voice low. “First I’d push you down on the bed. Then I’d slide over you and kiss you from your neck up.”

I made a low moan in my throat. “I like that…”

“I’d take my hand and press it to your cheek and look you in the eye. Then I’d tell you that you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. That I think you’re brilliant and kind and that seeing you is the highlight of my entire week. That when you’re on your way, I’m already dreading you leaving and when I’m with you I’m happy.”

I blinked into the bedroom. I couldn’t breathe. “Daniel…”

“I’m sorry,” he said softly. “I know that’s not foreplay.”

I shook my head. “Yes,” I said quietly. “It is.”

I could tell he was smiling. “Gotta go. Need to put out appetizers.” He paused. “I miss you.”

It punched me in the heart. He’d never said that to me before.

This was another level, unlocked.

There was I miss you. I love you. Boyfriend, girlfriend, meet the family, live together, engaged.

Married…

But we’d never reach most of those levels. We’d never even come close.

I couldn’t even picture his truck parked in the driveway of my house. My homeowners’ association would probably give me a ticket.

For the first time in my life, I was in a situation where I knew I was making a terrible mistake. I was careening toward certain death at terminal velocity. But I couldn’t not do it. I knew continuing this thing with Daniel was pointless. There was no happy ending here. But I missed him. He missed me. And I wanted him to know it. At least tonight.

“I miss you too.”

Chapter 25

Daniel

Alexis sent me a picture of her from the neck down. Black silk robe, open in the front, lacy black underwear.

I practically ran back to my garage.

I’d never taken a dick pic before. I was getting ready when my phone rang. Doug.