Page 109 of Restrictions

“So, you’re saying you are just as much of an asshole as I am?”

He laughs. “You’re the furthest thing from an asshole, and what I'm saying is... I know until we get to a place where we’re firmly committed, if we ever get there, I don’t own you. You can do whatever you want, but I want to get to know you. I want to see if maybe I'm capable of that, but I'm afraid I’ll hurt you too.”

“So, you’re saying you want to take this slow?”

His head nods. “Yes. Very slow. I’ll never forgive myself if I hurt you.” His smirk is back. “Of course, if you’re in need of a dirty fuck, I'm most definitely in for that too.”

I laugh, but there’s a flutter low in my belly thinking about it. Wondering what he’s like in bed.Is he gentle? I can’t imagine he is. Does he have a sensitive side? Or is he playful? Rough?“I would be up for that.”

He smiles again, and it is so damn beautiful. “Still. You’re a mom first. To a fucking phenomenal kid.” His smile only brightens when he talks about Baz, and again I feel the flutter, but this time it’s in my chest. “I mean, he’s so smart and funny. I don’t like kids, Viv, like at all. I usually find them boring and annoying.”

I laugh and shake my head. “You’re terrible.”

He laughs with me. “But Baz. I love that kid.” His eyes land on mine. “I don’t want to do anything that hurts him.”

“We’ll take it very slow, and I'll guard my heart.”

His hand takes mine, and I can’t deny the electric jolt I feel at his touch. “I want to get to know you and see if this is real or just an attraction.”

I nod. I thought I was in love with Asher, but maybe it was like he said, and I was confused by us living together, being friends, having sex, and raising Baz together. Anyone could get lost in all that.

“I think that’s a good idea.”

He leans closer to me, and his lips press against mine softly, but then his fingers thread through my hair, and his kiss becomes more passionate as his mouth ravages mine. Then he pulls back slightly, leaving me breathless and wanting more.

“This is a really weird time to tell you I got a job offer, right?”

I place a hand over my thundering heart and try to catch my breath. “Um...no. That’s great. Where?”

“California.”

I start laughing, probably way too hard for the situation, but I can’t help it. “You are such an asshole.”

He laughs and leans his head back against the seat. “I was going to tell you right away, but I couldn’t stop thinking about your neck.”

“Well, at least you didn’t wait to tell me until I was naked.”

“Is that still an option?” His eyebrows raise, and I playfully smack his chest. “I don’t know if I'm going to take it. I really do want to get to know you and moving across the country could fuck that up.”

I laugh again. “It could.” My eyes meet his. “Do you want to take it?”

“I did. But then I kissed you again, and God, I want more of that too.”

I unintentionally bite my bottom lip, thinking about kissing him more. “I do too. What kind of job?”

He laughs, his head resting against the headrest as he looks out the front window. “Real estate with Linc Sterling.”

My jaw drops. “What?”

His shoulders lift with laughter. “I shit you not. Our fathers are friends, and mine mentioned Linc was in real estate in California, so I gave him a call a month ago. He said he would get back to me, and he did.”

“Linc hates his father.” It’s all I can say, and honestly, I don’t know why I said it.

“Yeah, we have that in common.”

“Wow.”

He nods. “He said he can give me time to decide.”

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