Page 39 of Restrictions

“Okay, you’re right. I’m sorry.”

He smirks and takes a bite. “And it’s not that I’m not attracted to you. If we were total strangers, I’d fuck the shit out of you.”

I hold up a hand, laughing. “Please stop. We’re good.”

Baz runs in like the little tornado he is, wrapping his arms around my waist and looking up at me. “Mommy! Can we go swimming now?”

“Oh no.” I look over at Asher. “I still need to get a new suit.”

“Go.” He nods to Sebastian. “We’ll be fine here.”

Baz nods his head at his uncle in agreement.

I shake my head. “No, you watched him all night. He can come with me.”

Asher stands, walking over to the sink to rinse his plate off. “To hang out in a women’s dressing room while his mommy tries on swimsuits?”

I stand up, still feeling the throbbing in my head. “He’s three.”

“Still. It’ll be fine, Viv.” Baz runs to him, wrapping around his legs. Asher picks him up and turns him upside down while my son giggles uncontrollably. “Besides, he made quite the impression on Sawyer. He’s planning to come back over today to hang out.”

I laugh at that. “Well, he is pretty loveable.”

Baz giggles as Asher tickles him, and I watch them together happily.

Maybe Asher is right, and we shouldn’t mess with what we have right now because it feels pretty damn perfect.

17

ASHER

“Swearer!” I laugh as Baz runs to the door. When I open it, Sawyer is standing there wearing swim trunks and a tank top, ready to go swimming. The way he pronounces his name cracks us both up.

“Damn straight.” Sawyer laughs as he walks inside, and I close the door behind him.

“You better watch the swearing. Viv is gonna kill ya.”

“Mommy wouldn’t do that.” Baz crosses his little arms, irritated with me for fucking with his new buddy.

“Where is Mommy Dearest?”

“Don’t call her that.” I flop down on the couch, and Sawyer makes himself comfortable next to me as Baz uses us both for a jungle gym.

“Sorry, where’s Vivienne Crenshaw?”

“She went to get a new swimsuit. She should be back soon.”

“Cool.” Sawyer tickles Baz, and he giggles. “We going swimming, little man?”

“Yes!” He continues to giggle, and who the hell knew Sawyer was so damn good with kids? Certainly not me, and I’ve seen him around his own nieces and nephews. He comes from a big family and has a lot already.

“Well, let’s go then.” Sawyer looks over at me. “She’ll be cool with that, right?”

“Yeah, as long as we watch him really fu...” I look at Baz and fix my bad language. “Closely.”

He laughs at that. “I suppose we can do that.”

I get Baz changed into his little swim trunks and change into mine before we all go out on the patio. I hold him as we climb into the pool, and we take turns holding him while we play basketball with a floating hoop until I hear the sliding glass door open and know Viv is home.

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