Page 41 of Perfect Imperfections

“I don’t need forever,” she spouted, knowing forever wasn’t in her future anyway. People always gave up on her, eventually. Besides, she’d never ask him for more than he was willing to give. “Why don’t we just enjoy each other’s company and see what happens?”

He grinned, that cheek dent making her breath catch in her throat.

“I can get on board with that.”

Lifting her hands, she gripped the front of his cake-stained shirt, pulling him to her, lifting on her toes so she could crash her lips against his. And it was a crash. A total and complete wreck. Nothing like the minor accident she’d been delayed by this afternoon. No. This was a full contact, body-destroying kiss like she’d never experienced before.

Sullivan dug his fingers into her hair, angling her head to fit his mouth over hers perfectly. Ellie moaned as she parted her lips to taste the sweetness of his mouth. Or maybe it was her lips that tasted sweet. After all, she was the one with chocolate frosting all over her face. But no, it wasn’t chocolate she was tasting. It was Sullivan. Pure, delicious, sexy, Sullivan.

“Ellie.”

He moaned her name, pressing against her so she could feel the effect she was having on his body. Something in her roared in triumph. Like a lion knowing he’d won the battle to mate with the pride. Her entire body burned, every nerve ending connected to her lips. To the place Sullivan was currently worshiping. She never wanted it to end.

“Daddy!”

Sullivan paused, his lips frozen on hers.

“I need a glass of water!”

He pulled away, panting. Or maybe that was her. She couldn’t tell anymore.

He placed his forehead against hers, a soft chuckle escaping those perfect lips she’d been enjoying just a few second earlier.

“I better go to her.”

“Of course.” The words came out hoarse, so she cleared her throat and tried again. “Yes, of course. I should get going anyway.”

He stepped back to let her pass. “Your car’s in the driveway?”

She nodded. She’d moved it after all the guests left at his request.

“Good.”

“Good.”

She needed to leave. He needed to attend to his daughter, but neither of them moved. They stood there, staring at each other. She didn’t know who moved first, but suddenly they were kissing again, his hands tangled in her hair, her own clutching his shoulders.

“Daaaaddddy!”

With a chuckle, Sullivan pulled away. “I have to go.”

“I know.”

“I’ll call you tomorrow.”

“Okay.”

He called up to Charlotte, letting her know he’d be right up before walking Ellie out to her car. She drove away, watching in her rearview mirror as he went back in the house to attend to his daughter. A smile affixed to her face the entire way home. Her lips still tingled. Even after she’d brushed her teeth, she still had the taste of chocolate cake and Sullivan on her tongue. As she drifted off to sleep, one thought kept bouncing around in her brain.

Best. Party. Ever!

CHAPTER 15

Ellie walked into work the next day, surprised to find Cam already there. Normally she arrived at work much earlier than her friend, who loved to say that anything before the sun rose shouldn’t be legally considered morning.

“You’re here early.”

Cam hopped off the metal counter, two paper cups of coffee from her favorite local coffee shop in her hands. She passed one to Ellie. The aroma of coffee beans and vanilla wafted from the open spout on the lid, tickling her nostrils and waking up her sluggish brain. Typically, she was a morning person, but today she hadn’t even made time for her run. She’d been too busy lying in bed, enjoying the remnants of a very naughty dream involving her and a certain sexy doctor.

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