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Obviously, we had far passed the point where that could’ve been classified as just kissing, but I knew it was the exact right terminology to use if I wanted to distract her from her busy thoughts.
“Certainly, something I’ve never experienced before, you know?” My mouth curves up. “And for a single bachelor in his forties, that’s really saying something.”
Maria laughs then. “The kinkiest finish you’ve ever had?”
I wink. “Definitely.”
In the dark room, the two of us stare at each other for a long minute. Only the moonlight streaming through the curtains and a princess night-light in the corner illuminate the space enough to see each other.
I study the lines of her throat and the way her breasts push against her robe and how her bare legs peek out from the small slit down the center. And I remember the image of all of it just moments before she covered herself. Fucking stunning, every inch of her.
“God, Remy. I’m sorry. You must be exhausted,” Maria starts, clearly taking my study of her features out of context in one way or another. Because trust me, if Maria Baros knew what I was thinking about right now, she wouldn’t be apologizing for anything. “I should have—”
“Ria. Come on. I’m good.”
And I am. With Izzy curled against my bare chest and Maria looking at me like she knows the feel of my bare skin against her own, I don’t think I’ve ever been better.
Down deep, I know Maria’s angst isn’t about sleep deprivation or caring for Izzy right now. Lord knows she can handle all that. She’s been handling it like Wendy Winslow on steroids, even when it’s put her at the breaking point. Even when she’s questioning herself if she can really do it. I don’t know anyone who could’ve handled the first six weeks of their baby’s life by themselves.
This is about what we were in the middle of when we got interrupted. It’s about not knowing if she would have gone all the way if we hadn’t been. And it’s about wondering if I’m thinking all the same things.
“I was thinking,” I add, “you should know that I normally last longer than that.”
“Last longer?”
“Yeah,” I say through a secret smile. “During s-e-x.”
Her embarrassment is still under the surface, but she suppresses it enough to smile slyly. “But I thought it was a make-out session?”
“Same difference.”
“Same difference?” she questions, now completely entertained by the path of this conversation despite the slight hue of pink that’s still showcased on her cheeks. “Your definition of make-out sessions has certainly changed over the years.”
“Well, I suppose I’ve learned a thing or two about make-out sessions over the years.” I waggle my brows, and I can’t help but reach out to pull her closer by the belt of her robe.
On a giggle, she falls to sitting on the ottoman by my feet.
“So, you’ve learned a thing or two about make-out sessions, but not about s-e-x?” she volleys back, and it makes my chest vibrate with hilarity. “I should probably make a mental note of that.”
“I almost forgot how damn good you are at comebacks,” I tell her with a smirk. “You could put all three of my brothers to shame.”
Izzy shifts in my arms, squirming a little as she tries to find sleep again. I adjust her body an inch, and sadly, Maria’s focus changes.
“Here, let me take her.”
I start to shake my head—I’m perfectly content where I am—but the clock on Izzy’s wall with a little pink balloon design in the center catches my attention.
It’s nearly three in the morning, and the foreign markets will be opening soon. A couple of my clients’ portfolios have me particularly attuned to Tokyo and the way all the shuffling on trade deals is going to affect things on a global scale.
I really need to be home, in my office, if I have any hope of keeping up with everything when the markets open.
Fuck. I wish things didn’t feel so unfinished with me leaving.
I have to go, though. I have to. Billionaires don’t exactly look the other way when you play fast and loose with their money.
I glance down at the tired baby in my arms once more and then up to an unsure Maria. She’s shifting from one hip to the other, self-conscious in the gap my silence has left.
“Yeah, actually. But only because I have to head home.” I snuggle into Izzy’s sweet scent and smile down at her. “No way I’d leave if I didn’t have to, little girl.”
Maria leans forward, taking Izzy out of my arms, standing up, and turning to sway her way to the other side of the room. I can’t shake the feeling that she’s avoiding something…avoiding me.
I hope she’s not taking my leaving personally—relating it to what happened before Izzy’s cries. If she is, I’m going to have to do something about it before I leave if I want any hope of concentrating on the market at all.
