Page 69 of Seal of Approval

Lily cleared her throat as she sat beside me. “So you don’t hide your perving anymore?”

I blushed. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

She gave me a knowing smile. “That’s not the only thing that’s changed, is it?”

“No.” So much had changed in a few short weeks. “I—” Where was I going to start? “I didn’t think I would feel this way about someone.” I glanced at Ethan. He was watching me. My stomach lifted. Then he smiled and my whole being was captured in it.

“And what do you feel exactly?” Lily said.

I shrugged, bringing my attention back to her. The answer was too hard to put into words. “Content. Supported. Respected.” I hesitated, unsure how to continue, but Lily waited patiently. “At first it was all about pretending, to protect the children. We faked our relationship.” She already knew this, so why was I telling her again? Probably so I could work through it all with her.

“And now?”

“I’m not pretending.”

“I’m not sure you ever were.”

I considered her. I couldn’t confirm or deny what she said. All I knew was what I felt now. Ironic, really, that I had Max to thank for this. Ethan and I may have gotten here eventually, but he forced us into it sooner. At least I could have more time with him as a partner before he left.

Ethan approached, his smile only for me, as if we had all the time in the world.

Lily patted my hand and got up to leave. “Make the most of your time together.”

I would indeed. Starting tonight.

CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

Ethan

The last of the light left the sky. Soft music was playing, and voices and laughter surrounded us. Jasmine held my hand as we talked quietly together. This was not what I’d ever expected before I came to Australia. It’s certainly not what I’d expected when I met Jasmine. I hadn’t even known how I was going to survive living with her and her wild children.

But the trust they had in me made me trust myself. It would be a battle every day to unlearn thirty-five years of hiding. But it was a battle I was willing to fight. And a battle I would win.

“Are you ready to head home?” I asked.

Jasmine nodded with a small smile. She stood and I packed the chairs.

“Rose, Bailey, we’re heading home now,” she said.

Rose ran over and gave us each a big hug. Bailey gave us enough attention to say goodbye. He was too engrossed in a story Ross was telling. Jasmine and I walked back hand in hand. Silent. The people behind us fading away, replaced with the lapping of the water. I focused on that and not my rapid heartbeat.

Jasmine locked the door behind us, and we headed to her room. She turned on her lamp before turning off the light. The soft glow illuminated her.

We stood there looking at each other, not moving. I felt like a teenager who had no idea what to do. But I did know. I’d thought about it more than once. I approached her and placed my hand on the small of her back. Her warm brown eyes looked into mine. My fingers tangled in her hair as I tilted her head up to kiss her. She closed her eyes and sighed into my mouth.

That’s all the invitation I needed. I yanked her into me. Her soft breasts pressed against my chest. I kissed her hard, with desperation and yearning. Her response was identical. My dick hardened.

Fuck. If kissing felt like heaven what would touching her feel like? What about being inside her?

I forced our mouths apart. She stared up at me, her full lips wet, her cheeks flushed.

I reached out to undo the buttons down the front of her dress. Her chest heaved. I undid the top three buttons, revealing the top of her breasts. Another two buttons and her dress fell from her shoulders. I ran my fingers along the bra line, causing a small shiver from Jasmine. Another two buttons and her dress fell to the floor.

I sucked in a breath. I’d seen this much before but not like this. This was intimate. Beauty, strength and bravery stood before me. She may have been shy, a little scared even, but she stood before me, letting my eyes take in every inch of her. Her black bra and underwear with a touch of lace were perfectly Jasmine—sexy but not flaunting it.

I skimmed the top of her underwear with my fingers and got a small tremble in response. I needed to see all of her. I needed to watch her body respond to me. I reached behind her and unclasped her bra. The straps fell from her shoulders, and I cast it to the ground.

I lowered my mouth to her right breast and sucked on it. Her nipple hardened in my mouth. Her moan travelled all the way to my dick. It was at full attention now. I moved my lips to her stomach, kissing her down to her belly button. Her breathing hitched.

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