His lips perk at the side. “Hey.”
We stand not even a foot apart, and I want so desperately to wrap myself around him. Really wish I had walls, not glass panels, for an office. “Come on in.”
“Thanks,” he says, walking in, and I shut the door behind him. When I look back at him, he is facing me, his gaze moving along my body. “You look incredible.”
My face warms with shyness. Wait. What? I don’t get shy! “Stop. You’re making me all gooey inside.”
He flashes me a naughty grin. “Inside, or between those sweet thighs?”
I hold up my finger. “No, sir. Not here. These walls are glass.”
His grin widens as he reaches out, handing me the rose. I take it, and I’m gooey everywhere. “I had fun last night.”
“I did too,” I admit, running my fingers along the petals, and when I meet his gaze again, he looks worried.
“I’m not good at putting myself out there, but I wish you hadn’t left. Though, if that’s your way—”
I hold up my palm to him. “I know what you’re thinking. I talked to Aviva, and that’s not the case. I left because you were knocked out and I didn’t want to disturb you.”
His eyes search mine. “You didn’t leave me a note or your number.”
“I didn’t want to go through your house looking for a pen and paper, so I figured I’d call you today after all my meetings and stuff.”
“Oh,” he says, nodding. “So, did you have fun?”
“So much fun,” I say, my voice low and dangerous. “I had every intention of seeing you again. Today, actually, was my plan. Before I left tonight to take Callie.”
He nods, and I love how his gaze never leaves mine. “I’m glad. I thought you were blowing me off.”
I give him a dry look. “I’m sorry, but I don’t come like that and not call a guy back.” He doesn’t seem amused, but he does smile slightly. “And please don’t listen to Nico. He doesn’t know me.”
“He doesn’t?”
“Nope, not the way I want you to know me.” He stares right into my eyes, and I swear, there is no bullshit when it comes to him. What you see is what you get, and I love that. “Where is Celeste?”
“With my neighbor. I wanted to spend time with you. Alone. So you can see I’m a cool dude and not just a cool dad.”
“I already know you’re a cool dude,” I laugh, smacking his arm. “Stop being weird.”
His eyes are a dazzling brown. “Can I take you to lunch?”
My lip quirks at the side. “I’d love that.”
“Good. Want me to wait—”
“We can go now.”
He inhales sharply and then reaches for my hips, bringing me into his arms. His eyes are dark, intense, as he looks down at me. I’m breathless, my heart pounding in my chest as I say, “Everyone can see us.”
His lips curve as his eyes go half-lidded. “Good. I want everyone to see I’m kissing the most gorgeous woman on this planet.”
Just as his lips meet mine, I feel every bit the most gorgeous woman on this planet. I have to admit, I may have no issue feeling that way any other time, but the feeling I get when Kirby says it…
Well, that’s a feeling I wasn’t prepared for.
Chapter Fourteen
Kirby
* * *
I love listening to Jaylin talk.
“I’m nervous, and she’s not even my kid!”
I also love the way she talks. Her lips are so thick and they stick together when she speaks, but they don’t get in her way. She’s extremely animated, too. She moves hands with each word, she makes faces, and then her laugh is so infectious, I can’t help but grin at her. This is the Jaylin I enjoyed so long ago, the one who took my breath away. The one who knocked me flat on my ass in the middle of a crowded bar.
“It’s insane. She’s eighteen, an adult and shit. Crazy, right?”
I nod. “Yeah, I can’t imagine how you two are feeling. I know you’ve been in her life a long time.”
“So long,” she gushes. “I remember changing her diaper and being there all the times her dad left. I was there when her mom died too.” She pauses, thinking that over. “That’s why I love Nico so much. He takes such good care of them and loves them with his whole heart.”
“It’s very obvious they are his world,” I say, knowing that it’s his truth. Aviva and Callie are his people. Oh, and the new baby. “I never saw him being a parent or a husband. He was really busy before he met Aviva. Never the family man type.”
Jaylin grins. “Eh, people change for the right people.”
I nod slowly. “Very true.”
I look away as I take a sip of my beer. We decided on The Market Place. It’s a cool spot, lots of neat things to look at. Not that I am; I’m completely enraptured by Jaylin. She moves her curls off her shoulders, leaning on her hand as she traces the top of her water glass with her finger. “So, busy day?”