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“I think you’re brave for letting me into your lives, and I think you’re stronger than you realize. I think you rock a pair of sweatpants and my baggy tees with the same level of sex appeal as the dress you’re wearing tonight. And I think Ophelia couldn’t have lucked out with a better mom, just as I couldn’t have asked for a better woman to accidentally knock up.”
“You don’t have to pour it on extra thick.”
“I’m not. I can also tell by your smile when you’re extra excited about a food you’re about to eat. Your hands are always cold, which gives me a reason to warm them up. And the way you smile at your daughter when you think nobody’s watching lights up an entire room.”
Caiti pushes a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “I feel like I’ve done nothing besides pile responsibilities onto you.”
I reach into her lap and secure her chilly hand in mine. “You may have barged into my life, but I’m paying attention because I want you, not because I have to.”
She squeezes my hand back. “Okay, big shot. If you’re paying so much attention to me, it’s my turn. Teach me something I don’t know about you.”
I could groan at the onslaught of naughty images. She doesn’t even know how eager I am to teach her things. Like my favorite position and how I like my dick sucked.
“My favorite color is the shade of red in your cheeks when you’re turned on. My favorite song is the sound of my name on your lips. And my favorite movie is the one where you’re getting yourself off in my bed.”
“Dane!” She squeals at a hushed volume, that enticing pink rising in her cheeks.
Rather than respond, I cast a grin her way and take a refreshing sip of water. I set my glass back on the table, noticing the vigor with which she rubs her arm with her free hand.
“Are you cold?”
She shrugs. “A little. I read once restaurants keep the temperature down because studies have shown people eat less and fill up faster when they’re warm.”
“Well, that won’t do. I didn’t bring you here to freeze to death.”
The wooden legs of my chair scrape as I stand, already tearing through the buttons of my shirt from the top. “Up.”
The server chooses that moment to reappear, her eyes comically wide at my state of half-undress.
“One second.” I peel the material off my shoulders. Good thing I chose to wear a black tee beneath my shirt rather than a white tank top. Not that the other option would have hindered my decision to keep Caiti warm, but I’d look even more out of place.
Caiti holds out her arms one at a time, and I thread the large material over her. With intense focus, I rethread the buttons, leaving the top three open, then I move to roll up her sleeves one at a time.
“Better?”
She tucks her nose into the collar, her shoulders rising with an obvious inhale. “Much. Thank you.”
Mini dilemma solved, we place our orders for two medium-rare cooked steaks with asparagus and twice-baked potatoes and resume our discussion.
Somewhere through enjoying our meal, I end up pulling Caiti’s calves across my lap. She leans back in her chair with a glass of red wine in her hand, head thrown back laughing at something I said, the picturesque view of contentment.
This is exactly what we needed.
She sits abruptly, the smile sliding from her face. “Oh. There’s Bailey.”
My muscles tighten as I scan the tables surrounding us. “Where?”
“Behind you. She’s waiting on that table. Did you happen to talk to her yet?”
“No.” I recognize Bailey where Caiti indicated, though her back is to us now.
“You should.”
“Not now,” I growl. This night has been one for the books, and I’m not about to intentionally ruin it.
Caiti pushes to her feet, relieving me of the warm weight of her legs. Fuck. “Caiti,” I warn, though I’m not sure why. I need a few more minutes to determine if she’s upset before she does something rash.
“Bailey, wait,” she calls out.
Damn, she’s going for it head-on. I have to bite my lip to contain a grin. For all her anxiety, there’s still a bold woman just lingering beneath the surface.
My ex pauses near our table. At least she has the capacity to look appropriately ashamed. “Yes?”
“Can you just point me toward the restroom?” Caiti asks.
Smooth. Or a jab. Seeing as the last time they were in a bathroom together, Bailey committed a punishable assault.
“Oh. Sure.” Bailey’s shoulders relax. “Take a left at the windows, and there’s a hall. You can’t miss them then.”
Caiti smiles. “Thanks. I’ll be right back.” She pointedly glances at me, then takes off. From the back, she’s nearly indecent. My shirt hangs so low that it looks as if she’s not wearing anything but my button-down and a pair of heels. My dick hardens at the view.
“I’m sorry,” Bailey’s sincere apology drags my attention from the corner Caiti disappeared around. The image of her sexy calves dances in my head.
“You need to apologize to her.” I don’t bother softening my tone. I still think Caiti should have pressed charges.
She nods. “I know. I will when she comes back.”
