“She says she’s coming.” Lucas brings me out of my thoughts, and I focus on his eyes, which are filled with annoyance. “Hopefully she actually shows up to spend time with her daughter—and not just to mess with me.”
“Whatever happens, we will make sure Maddi has a good day,” I tell him.
His expression shifts, and his eyes fill with a look that looks a lot like . . . love.
“Yeah, we will.”
I lean up and touch my mouth to his. “I need to shower. Do you mind taking Merida out?”
“Baby, since you’ve been staying here, when have you ever taken her out in the morning?” I press my lips together, and his eyes drop to my mouth. “Exactly.”
“I’d like to remind you that you won’t let me take her out in the mornings.”
“I won’t,” he agrees. “You take three times as long to get ready as I do.”
“I do not.”
“You do.”
“I don’t.” I narrow my eyes, getting annoyed.
“Baby, just yesterday it took you a year to sort yourself out before we could leave for dinner.”
“It did not take me a year.”
“Okay, half a year.” He grins.
“You’re annoying.”
“I wasn’t complaining,” he says, still grinning.
“It sounds to me like you’re complaining.”
“I fucked you against the wall as soon as we got home from dinner. I couldn’t even wait until I had you in bed, I wanted you so badly.”
My stomach drops as his face gets closer to mine.
“The hair, makeup, and dress had me hard as a rock throughout dinner. Believe me—I’m not complaining.”
“Okay,” I breathe.
A new wave of desire rushes over me as I remember exactly how we went at it last night. Instead of going over to pick up Maddi from Fawn’s as soon as we got home from our date, Lucas led me right into the apartment. He took me against the wall, right next to the door. It was hot—hotter than anything we’ve done, and we’ve done a lot—and all of it has been amazing.
“Now go shower while I take Merida out for her walk.”
“Sir, yes sir,” I say sassily.
His eyes darken with lust. “As a thank-you, you can call me sir later.” He kisses me, hard, then rolls out of bed, pulling me up with him.
I’m wearing his T-shirt, which falls to my knees. He grabs a pair of sweats and then comes back to me and slides his hand up my waist, bunching the shirt as he goes. My breath catches as he pulls it off over my head, leaving me naked.
“Shower,” he orders, putting on his shirt.
I roll my eyes but head for the bathroom, start up the shower, and then take a “year” to get ready—because my man likes the way I look when I do.
“Courtney!” calls Libby, Fawn’s sister, as soon as I come through the front door of Princess Pizza with a life-size unicorn balloon and a mass of smaller pink, purple, gold, and turquoise balloons trailing behind me.
“Hey.” I smile, unable to wave because I’m also carrying a large plastic bag filled with other supplies.
Libby leaves the back of the kitchen, steps out around the counter to greet me with a hug, and takes the plastic bag from me.
“You look beautiful. Then again, you always look like you just stepped off the runway,” I say, taking in her jeans, tight tank top, and heels.
“Me? Please. I’m in love with your outfit. Where did you get it?”
“I don’t remember. I’ve had it forever.” I smile, looking down at myself. I wanted to be casual but cute today, so I settled on my butterfly-sleeve chiffon top that is cream with black polka dots. I tucked it into my Empire-waist black skirt that flares out and ends just above my knees. Then I added a thick brown leather belt with a bow that matches my wedge heels.
“Well, I’m going to see if I can find the same look somewhere. You always look so put together.”
“Thanks.” I smile at her, then look around. “Has Eva shown up yet?”
“No.” She frowns. “Was she supposed to?”
“Yeah. She is supposed to bring drinks, chips, and snacks for the parents.”
“Oh.” She frowns again. “Hopefully she’ll be here soon.”
“Hopefully,” I agree. “Where do I need to put these?” I gesture up to the balloons I’m still holding.
“Oh, right.” She laughs, taking my elbow and leading me to a room at the back of the pizzeria.
As soon as we walk through the door, my smile gets huge. I know Maddi is going to flip when she sees the decorations that Libby put up. In the middle of the room are three long tables covered in white tablecloths. Against the back wall is a large image of a unicorn with pink sparkly ears, black lashes, and a golden horn adorned with a bouquet of paper flowers like a crown. On the other walls are pink, turquoise, and purple streamers—and more unicorns of different sizes.