Page 43 of Pelvic Flaws

I drew in a deep breath and without any thought, nodded. I had to be dreaming and any minute I would wake up alone in my bed. When Dex tugged me a tiny bit closer and licked along his bottom lip, I sighed with relief that I was well and truly awake.

“Good to know,” he replied. “I’d better get back. I’m on reception duties for a couple of hours. I left Nate on there, in between appointments.”

“You, a receptionist,” I laughed out.

Dex grimaced. “I know, but Scarlett has a hair appointment. Apparently, her roots just won’t last another day.” He winked at me and turned to Charlie. “You take care now, buddy.”

“I will.” Charlie looked up from his magazine, blinking through his hair. “And thank you for the magazine.”

“My pleasure. I’ll call you,” he said, turning to me.

“Okay,” I breathed out and led him out of the lounge to the front door.

As I reached for the handle, I was fully aware of his presence behind me and I really wanted to turn around and kiss him.

I wanted to kiss him for being so bloody lovely to my boy.

I wanted to kiss him for being so bloody lovely to me.

I just wanted to kiss him. Full stop. Period. End of. Finito.

As I opened the door, chickening out of turning around and grabbing him, I felt Dex’s palm in the small of my back, causing me to pause. I looked at him over my shoulder.

“Promise me you won’t go over thinking things,” he said.

“I won’t,” I promised, meaning it.

“Good.” He leaned forward and brushed his lips against my cheek. “Speak to you soon.”

With my stomach flipping and my heart joining in, I opened the door, only to come face to face with Carl.

“Oh, hi,” I spluttered.

“Hi. I thought I’d come and see Charlie.” He looked over my shoulder towards Dex. “Hello.”

As Carl nodded to him, Dex moved forward and held out his hand.

“Hey, nice to meet you. Dex Michaels, Katie’s friend.”

I saw Carl’s eyes light up with realisation that this was the pretty boy, tattooed, muscle man, who he wasn’t happy had been hanging around with his kids.

“Carl Grainger. Katie’s ex-husband.” His voice was low and his eyes were cautious as he looked Dex up and down.

The two men shook hands, both holding on firmly. Carl’s jaw was tight, while Dex pulled his shoulders back and stretched out his spine.

“Sorry if I’m interrupting,” Carl said as he let go of Dex’s hand. “I’ll just go through if that’s okay.”

“It’s okay, I’m gonna go.” Dex kissed my cheek again, and I almost squeaked with surprise. “Speak later.”

“Okay, bye,” I replied, softly.

As I watched him go, I noticed that Carl was standing next to me, watching, and hadn’t gone through to the lounge.

“What?” I asked, closing the door behind me.

“So that’s the new boyfriend,” he stated, giving a chin lift towards the door.

“No, he’s just a friend.” I moved past him and went into the lounge. “Charlie, Dad’s here.”

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