Page 44 of Restrictions

I roll my eyes and fold my arms over my chest again, annoyed by my own body for being weak and attracted to him, hoping he doesn’t notice my nipples through my sheer, light pink blouse. “Right. I suppose you were just studying.”

“We were.” Now his natural smile is back as he shakes his head. “I swear. She’s in my algebra class. We were supposed to be studying, and she hopped on my lap and started kissing me.”

“And her top just flew off.”

“I got lost in the moment.” His eyes meet mine, but they aren’t as cold as they were a moment ago. “I know that’s not something you do often, but come on, Viv. Even you’ve been there.”

I’m starting to think I never should have told him the personal details of my hookup with Colt. I know I overreacted, but I don’t want to admit it.

“Sebastian is three. He doesn’t need to be exposed to that.”

“I swear it wasn’t planned. I was about to take her downstairs.”

I swallow, not liking the feeling in my gut thinking about him taking that girl down to his room. “Fine. Please don’t let it happen again.”

“I won’t.”

“Now get out. I need a shower.”

He stands up, walking to me, way too close, his eyes exploring mine, making me feel exposed, wondering what he’s thinking because he’s not saying anything.

His voice is a gruff whisper, his eyes locking onto mine. “I’m really sorry.”

My throat goes dry, my brain unable to form a sentence as I stare at his lips, wondering what it would be like to kiss them. They’re so full and pouty, kind of girly but so incredibly sexy, and the rest of him is masculine as hell. “I was too harsh.”

He smiles, the smirk crooked and so sinfully appealing. “You can’t ever be too hard on me, Viv.” His voice is back to the whisper as his mouth slides to my ear. “I like it.”

I feel a shiver through my body as I try to keep my breathing normal, watching him open my door and exit my room.

This is bad. Maybe he was right, and I am, in fact, jealous.

19

VIVIENNE

Things have pretty much gone back to normal, at least for the most part. The rest of last week blew by, and so did this one. I decided to take Nora up on her offer to take Sebastian overnight. When I told him, he was giddy about the idea.

I tried not to take his little happy dance too personally. But I’m happy he’s going to get some time with Nora, knowing that she’s an amazing person.

“Okay, your mom should be here soon. I’m going to go pack a bag.” Sebastian and Asher are playing some game on Baz’s tablet, and Asher looks up.

“My mom’s coming?”

Men. “Yeah. I told you, Sebastian is going to stay the night with his grandma tonight.”

Sebastian lights up and looks over at me still with the same level of excitement. “It’s going to be fun!”

I want to be happy, but I have to admit I’m extremely nervous. I’ve never spent a night away from my little guy.

Sebastian goes back to his game, but Asher senses my apprehension. “He’s going to be fine.”

I nod my head as I take a seat in the comfy white chair next to thecouch they’re sitting on. “I know. There’s no one I trust more than Nora.”

“Yeah. She’s great with kids.”

Then why won’t you go home and see her?I want to ask the question swimming around in my brain, but I don’t pry. “I know. And he adores her.”

“She’ll make it fun. I’m sure she has a whole night planned of movies and sugar. She makes the best chocolate chip cookies.”

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