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Because the very last thing I need in my life is someone who makes me feel like there’s not enough oxygen in my lungs when I’ve only just caught my breath.
I just can’t help myself. Play with fire and I’ll be there to pour gasoline on it for you.
But all I see is a firecracker who needs my help to work out some aggression.
“Call your dog off, Eaton.” She keeps walking, only addressing Rhett, like I’m not even here. But goddamn, I love a challenge. I turn with a loud, “Woof!”
I want to know more about Winter Valentine. Like when that divorce is happening.
“You’re not crashing a single thing. This is a family dinner. You’re family. And so, if my math is right, you’re right where you should be.”
“Red or white? You said you needed a drink. I wasn’t sure which one you like better, so I poured both. I’ll drink whatever you don’t.”
the tips of my fingers brush briefly against his and a static shock passes between us.
“I’ll be heartbroken if you don’t like me,”
“Careful, that one’s got claws,” Cade offers right as Willa shoves a pointy elbow into his ribs. I grin. “That’s okay. I like having my back scratched.”
“You are incorrigible.” “Oooh! Incorrigible! Great word.
All work and no play makes Theo a dull boy.”
“Winter. I’d have properly fucked you in the back room of that gas station if you’d asked me.”
“You’d get there with me. I’d make sure of it.”
One night only. We never tell anyone. But I’ll probably beg you for another shot, eventually. - Theo Silva
And then he says, “I’m going to ruin you tonight.”
“I can’t wait to see how fucking pretty you look when you come with my name on your lips.”
They think I’m worried about Vivi, but all I can think about is that her father is right fucking there.
We all. Those two words hit me like a ton of bricks. We all. Everyone here knows her. Has seen her grow. Got to be there when she was born. And I’ve had no idea.
“Hi, baby girl,” he murmurs. “It’s so nice to meet you.”
“Look how beautiful you are.” The sun lights Theo and Vivienne’s faces in the same warm, golden hue. “You look just like your mom.”
She made it when my last baby didn’t.
Good for you, girl. I can’t wait to tell people my daughter is the prime minister.”
but Theo is staring at Vivi.
“What makes you think I wouldn’t want this with you?”
“I could fucking bury whoever made you believe you’re as unlovable as you seem to think.”
She yawns, body tensing as she stretches out like a happy cat in a sunbeam. Theo has a way of making a girl feel like that when he turns his attention to her. I know. I remember.
“I reckon she’ll wanna spend a little extra time getting to know her new grandchild.”
“Watch your fucking tone when you’re talking to the mother of my child.”
being referred to as a business partner makes me want to flip the fucking table.
“And I especially like her now. I’m not sad about Vivi. The only thing I’m sad about is not being there for Winter earlier. But that’s my cross to bear. So, if you’re looking for a person to commiserate with about how awful she is, you need to find someone else.”
But with her? God. It’s consuming. Sometimes, I’m so consumed with loving her I can’t even sleep.
I watch her carry Vivi’s bucket seat up into the dark house before I pull out and drive to the one right next door. When I go inside, it feels like I’m entering the wrong house.
Theo: Want me to come over and do something truly special that will have you thanking me profusely? Winter: Are you always this horny? Theo: I was going to say clean your house. Get your mind out of the gutter, Dr. Hamilton.
Vivi is blissfully happy with a bottle in her crib, and Winter has her claws out just the way I like.
I drop my mouth to her ear, not missing the way she shivers. “You’re going to accept my help. And you’re going to like it. You might even thank me for it.” I nip her earlobe and lower my voice to add, “Like you did the last time I gave you a hand.”
“Because the things I dream about doing to you are horribly unprofessional.”
Theo is asleep inside the crib. His muscular frame curls around the little girl tucked tightly into the crook of his arm with a peaceful, pleased expression on her face.
“Mama.” That one word instantly changes the subject.
See you later, Mama.” He leans forward, maneuvering around my hand to drop a light, friendly kiss right beside my mouth.
I feel more myself than I have in months. I feel more relaxed than I have in years.
And when I go to bed that night, the hinges on my door don’t squeak at all.
“Because your wellbeing has quickly become my number one priority.” “Why?” Her ragged breathing echoes in the otherwise quiet gym. “Because I fucking adore you. Haven’t you been paying attention?”
I cover her mouth with my free hand. “Don’t bother arguing with me. It makes me hard,
All that snarling. All that unaffected nail-gazing. All those scowls. They all disappear when you have my face between your legs. I can fuck you happy, can’t I, Winter?”
He’s wearing light-wash jeans and a white T-shirt while carrying a plate of oatmeal cookies. Ones he baked fresh—because of course he did.
“So, your only proof is that he doesn’t listen to you?” “Exactly. Just like you.”
“Stop being so mean to me. It gets me hard when you’re mouthy.
“I just remembered that he called me the morning after you two first got together. And do you know what he said to me? I shake my head. It’s all I can manage. “He said, ‘Mom, I met her.’ And I said, ‘Who?’” Loretta’s lips curve up, her eyes taking on a faraway look. “He said, ‘The woman I’m going to marry one day.’”
the woman I’m in love with while I wait for her to decide if she might like to be in love with me too.
