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“No way,” I say, my eyes narrowing.“They don’t get to decide how I live my life, or how you live yours.They’ll either get on board and play nice, or we’ll go back to court.I’m not giving up someone I love because my ex has control issues.”
“We wouldn’t give up,” Aaron says, his gaze caressing my face.“I’d quit the NHL and get a job in town.I don’t want to have to choose between the work I love and the woman I love, but if I had to, you’d win every time.”
Fresh tears well in my eyes.Because I can tell he means it.I cup his cheek in my hand, rubbing my thumb softly over his bottom lip.“You make me feel so special.”
“Good, because you are,” he says, his mouth slanting closer to mine.“Maybe dinner can wait a little while?Until after I’ve shown you how very special you are?”
I nod loosely, already tingling all over.“Yes, please.But my IUD is staying in for the foreseeable future.No trying for babies until we’ve proven we can avoid hating each other for at least six months in a row.”
He grins.“I never hated you.You didn’t hate me, either.You just didn’t know how to deal with how much you wanted my dick.”
I snort and grip his chin in my hand, holding his lips a few inches from mine.“No, I actually hated you.Or at least really disliked you.”
He grins.“Nah.No one hates me.I’m too likable.”
“No, you’re not.You’re a pain in the ass.”I laugh, shaking my head.“But I guess that makes sense.”
“Pain in the asses flock together?”
“Something like that.”I smile, releasing his chin, letting him close the distance between us.
He kisses me and it’s even better than all the wonderful kisses that have come before.This kiss has nothing to hide, nothing to prove.This kiss is one of the most honest—and by far the sexiest—things to ever happen to my lips.
“Can I take you to bed, gimpy?”I whisper against his mouth.
“Yes, please,” he says, looping his good arm around my shoulders.Lips still teasing, dancing with his, I help him to his feet, and we sway toward the bedroom.
Chapter 30
Aaron
We make love this time, sweet and slow.
A couple more tears may have been shed by someone overwhelmed by how amazing it feels to be pulled back from the edge of despair—spoiler alert: it was me—but afterwards, I justknowthings are going to be okay.
I’m sure of it in a way I’ve been sure of very few things in my life.
When Mel’s phone rings and she hurries out to answer it, I don’t let the possibility that it might be Ben calling with more drama disturb my peace.If it is, we’ll deal with it.We’ll deal with all the obstacles in our path and come out stronger on the other side.
In a few moments, Mel returns from the living room, her eyes dancing as she pauses in the doorway.“Guess what I just learned?”she asks, lifting her cell into the air and wiggling it back and forth.
I prop up against the pillows, admiring the view of her in nothing but my sweatshirt.“You won the lottery and you’re leaving me to circumnavigate the globe in a hot air balloon.”
She makes a dismissive sound and rolls her eyes.“No.Never.I’d make you come with me in the hot air balloon.And it would be a private jet, not a balloon.I’m too impatient to travel by balloon.”
“Hot,” I say, my gaze lingering on her bare legs.“You should wear short skirts more often.Really short ones.Like in high school, but this time with no panties.”
She laughs and wags the phone more aggressively in the air.“Focus.I’m serious.I have amazing news.Tessa consulted her sources, and I just got the best dirt on Radcliffe.If this doesn’t convince him to play nice, I don’t know what will.”
My brows lift.“Yeah?Blackmail?You’re going there?”
She nibbles her bottom lip, her excitement fading a watt or two.“Um, yeah.I think I am.And I don’t feel guilty about it.Does that make me a bad person?”
“No, it makes you a mama bear who does whatever it takes to protect your baby.Chase would be miserable if he didn’t get to see you as much as he sees his dad.Radcliffe is overstepping.I fully support you doing whatever it takes to get him off your dick.”I hold up my hand.“Your metaphorical dick, of course.”
Her smile takes on a flirty edge.“Right.Glad I don’t have a real one.I’m enjoying my lady parts way too much right now to want to swap organs at this juncture.”
“Very happy to hear that,” I murmur, my man parts already responding to the heat in her eyes.“Want to see if I can rail you from behind with only one arm to hold onto the headboard?”
