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“That’s not a bad idea. It should be something that sounds...innocent. Just in case we slip up and say it where someone can overhear.” His smile deepened. “You know, likenookyorbooty call.”
She laughed. “I think both of those are definitely out. Evenbenefitsis too suggestive—our friends and family aren’t idiots.”
He snapped his fingers, eyes bright with humor. “I’ve got it! Tonight you and I have both referred to, uh...physical relations, asstuff. If we say we havestuffto do later, no one would think twice, whether it’s Hazel or Mary or my blessed grandmother.”
She couldn’t think of an objection, so she nodded. “Fine.”
“Fine?” Mike grinned. “That’s not exactly a ringing endorsement, but I’ll take it.” His smile faded. “What’s wrong?”
“Youdorealize that was the easiest worry on my list to solve, right?”
“Hit me with the next one. We’ve got this, Zoey.”
For over an hour, she ticked off her concerns and they talked it out.
Hazel could not know about their casual sexual relationship.
This one was nonnegotiable, and Mike agreed.
Their friends and family did not need to know about their casual sexual relationship.
The more people who knew, the more chance Hazel would find out. Mike agreed, but only after pointing out he wasn’t crazy about the wordcasual. As long as they were doing whatever it was they were doing, they would be exclusive. She was in total agreement.
They were friends first and forever. Lovers on occasion.
They both valued their friendship too much to put it at any more risk than they already had. He agreed.
“And who knows?” Zoey finally asked. “Maybe it was just a onetime, stormy-night thing. And if that’s the case, fine.”
Mike’s eyes narrowed on her, his mouth sliding into a crooked, deadly sexy grin that made her pulse quicken. “You don’t believe it was a onetime thing any more than I do. That was way too good to be some fluke. Right now, after all this talk, talk, talk—I’mstillthinking about how much I want to walk over there and kiss you.”
Her lips parted, and heat pooled low in her belly. She wanted him to do that. Kiss her. Right now. She swallowed hard.
“Okay.”
He straightened. “Okaywhat?”
“Okay, come over and kiss me.” She stood, and he did, too—so quickly his stool skidded backward across the floor. “But humor me and lock the door first.”
She tried to stay focused on what she wanted to say, but the sight of Mike slowly walking toward her made that difficult. She had to blink away for a moment to gather her thoughts. “Just to clarify, you’re not adirtysecret. But we do have to be a secret for now. If that’s a dealbreaker...” She stepped back as he stopped right in front of her, determined to finish her point. Whatwasher point?
“It’s not a dealbreaker, Zoey,” he said softly. “I get it. But...”
That little burst of heat she’d felt cooled immediately as soon as he saidbut.
“My daughter will always come first. If you aren’t ready for that, we should stop right now.”
“Igetthat, Zoey. It’s just...we might have something really great happening here, but not if we suffocate it under a rock.”
She shrugged. “I’m a mom first.”
“Iknow!” He took a breath, his voice softening. “I swear I get it. It’s one of the things I admire most about you. And I love Hazel—she’s terrific. This isnota dealbreaker. I’m just saying give me a chance to wrap my head around it.”
She nodded in agreement. “This is so new. We should at least wait to see if we want to continue...”
His smile turned devilish, his hand sliding under the hem of her T-shirt. Mike’s other hand cupped her chin gently and tipped her head up until she had no choice but to look at him. Their bodies were pressed together now and, even though they were fully dressed, she felt his erection twitch against her stomach.
His voice was rough and low. “Oh, I definitely want to continue.” He lowered his head and brushed his lips across hers, making her moan with need. The hand on her back was splayed out now, pulling her even closer. God, she wanted this man so much. But there wasn’t a bed in sight.
