Page 131 of Curveball

Just as the kiss is about to deepen, Kaya stirs, and I jump back. “Sorry.”

He looks down at me in a way that threatens to break me. “Don’t ever apologize for kissing me.”

I need space. I turn away and mumble, “I need to go get dressed. I’ll be back in a minute.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

QUINCY

I’m awakened in the middle of the night to Ripley rubbing herself against me. Hells yes. Finally we’re getting somewhere.

I look down and her eyes are closed. She’s not totally with it. I think she’s asleep. Should I wake her?

She’s really going to town on my leg. I flex and move it a little to try to give her what she needs. Her hands move across my bare chest, and she mumbles, “Quincy.”

At least I know she’s thinking of me while she’s doing this in her sleep.

Kaya fell asleep on my chest again. Ripley was already sleeping, so I placed Kaya in the bassinet. I should have gone back to my room, but I didn’t want to. I slid into bed with Ripley, as I’ve done most nights since we got back, needing to hold her. And now, in her sleep, she’s humping my leg.

Even through her shorts, her heat and wetness coatmy bare thigh. I feel slightly guilty knowing she’s not conscious right now, but I didn’t start this, she did. I’m an innocent bystander.

Her hips gyrate, and she mumbles my name over and over until she starts moaning and shaking. Even in her sleep, her neck flushes when she comes. So sexy.

Her eyes eventually blink open and then widen. She looks down, noticing her legs wrapped around my thigh. A bit out of breath, she asks, “What just happened?”

I bite back my smile as best as I can. “I’m pretty sure you had a wet dream…and used me.” I can’t stop my smile from breaking free. “I feel dirty.”

She blows out a breath. “Shit. I had them constantly when I was pregnant. Something about the extra blood flow to the area. But I haven’t had any since I gave birth.”

“Fuck, I didn’t know that about pregnancy. That’s so hot. I haven’t had a wet dream in nearly twenty years. You’re so lucky.”

She rolls her eyes. “Yes, I got to carry a baby, ruin my body, go through labor, be sliced in half, and nearly die, but hey, I got a few wet dreams out of it, so it’s worthwhile.”

I chuckle. “Point taken.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know what I was doing. I’ve obviously been sleeping alone throughout the pregnancy.”

I’m not sure that was obvious, but I’m happy to hear it.

She starts to pull away, but I hold her to me, desperate for contact. “Don’t go yet.”

She makes no attempt to move but breathes, “Quincy, we can’t.”

I rub my hand up her thigh and feel goosebumps spread across her skin. I still affect her.

I run my lips over her cheeks. “Why can’t we? It’s obvious we’re meant to be together.”

“I’ve told you why.”

I sigh as I pull my head back a bit. “I’ve been thinking. We’ve gone about this the wrong way. We’ve done everything in the wrong order, putting the cart before the horse. We’ve never been on a proper date. Let’s start from the beginning. I want to take you out on a date.”

I see a small smile form on her lips. “Are you asking me out?”

I emphatically nod. “Yes, I am.”

“We’re divorced with a child.”

I rub her arm. “We can start over. No one writes our script but us. I refuse to believe it’s too late for our happily ever after. I want to go on a date with you. Our first date. I want to pick you up and take you out to dinner.”

---