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I shake my head, hoping he didn’t get the wrong idea. “No, I just... it sounds so lovely. I almost can’t believe it.”
Drawing circles with his thumb on the back of my hand, he says, “Let me get something straight and out of the way. I would have never pursued you again if I didn’t want this to be serious.”
His expression clouds and I gulp, wanting to kick myself. How on earth did I manage to get him so worried? Biting the inside of my cheek, I debate if I should bring up the fact that I can’t have kids now. Isn’t it too soon? We’ve only been back together for a week.
Yeah, but this has been ten years in the making, a tiny voice says at the back of my mind. Telling men about this hasn’t worked out so well for me in the past. The first relationship I had after the surgery crumbled the second I told him. He accused me of waiting too long—two months—to tell him, of being dishonest. Learning from my mistakes, I brought the issue up on the third date with the next guy. It didn’t go down well.
We haven’t even fucked, and you’re thinking about marriage and kids? I’m out of here.
I took a long break from dating afterward. A break which lasted until Daniel. And here’s the thing: I know he wouldn’t react like the jackasses before, but this still won’t be an easy conversation. And one week into a relationship really is too early to bring this up.
“I want this to be serious too, Dan,” I say softly. “That’s always my problem, isn’t it? I jump all in until I’m over my head.”
“Then jump all in, love. I’m here to catch you.” His lips curl up in a smile, his voice soft but determined. His beautiful words travel straight to my heart.
“I’m swooning a bit,” I inform him. Both his hands are cupping my face. He touches the tip of my nose with his.
“If it’s just a bit, I’m not doing my job right.” He drags the tip of his nose up and down my temple. “Must up my game.”
He seals his mouth over mine in a kiss that’s as hot as it is sweet. His hands travel down my neck, arms, and then he fits his fingers over my rib cage, his thumbs flicking once over my nipples. Once is all it takes to turn them into hard nubs and to drench my panties. Damn this man and the spell he has on me. Yeah, I’m going to stick to blaming him for the way my body acts. Sounds like a great plan.
Trailing his mouth to my ear, he says on a growl, “Give me your panties.”
“Why?”
“You teased me enough in the changing room. Now I’m going to tease you. Take off your panties and give them to me.”
“When will you give them back?” I ask shyly. Thank heavens Violet is busy with the customer in the front.
“When I want to.”
Cue lady parts tingling. Every single one of them.
The twinkle in his eyes intensifies. “Still haven’t given me your panties.”
I back away into the changing room, then slip my hands under the long skirt of the dress and pull the thong down, all under Daniel’s intense scrutiny. He holds out his hand, his fingers touching mine as he takes the thong. The contact zings through me.
“Change back, and then we’ll grab something to eat.”
***
Daniel
“Why aren’t you answering?” Caroline asks as I mute my cell phone for the fifth time since we ordered.
“Because this guy always keeps me on the phone for at least half an hour. He’ll get the drift eventually.”
We’re at a Spanish restaurant, and I intend to enjoy every single moment with her. The rest can wait.
“Is it work stuff?” She sits up straighter, a strand of hair falling across her cheek. She brushes it away, training her eyes on me. “How did the events you told me about on Sunday go?”
“Like I expected. No photos leaked, so I’m gonna need to bait whoever’s doing it.”
“Meaning?”
“I’m going to talk to them, tell them a story. Some cock and bull about how the company is in trouble.”
She takes a sip of her chardonnay and frowns. “I don’t get it. Why would tabloids be interested in something like this?”
