Page 32 of Eternally London

“What?”

“Do you remember that Mexican restaurant that you, me, and Cooper went to in Detroit? The one where you fucked me against the wall of the restroom?”

Loïc covers my mouth. “Shh…babe,” he chastises quietly, unable to hide the smile on his lips.

“Do you remember?” I whisper.

“Of course I do.” He bites his bottom lip as I pinch his nipples.

“I want that now,” I say.

“Shouldn’t we wait until your guests leave?”

He nods his head toward the living room where I hear Paige laugh loudly while Georgia shrieks, “Mom, no!”

I shake my head. “No, now. Birthday girl’s wishes.” My hands fall down Loïc’s abdomen and start to dip down his pants.

He quickly pulls my hands off of him. “Okay. Go to our bathroom. I’ll meet you there in one second. Let me just go make sure your mom hasn’t broken a hip first.”

I rise up on my tiptoes. Running my fingers through Loïc’s hair, I pull his face to mine and kiss him hard before I pull away. “I can’t wait.”

“Me either, babe.” He playfully slaps my ass before heading toward the living room.

I watch him walk away, my eyes focused on his butt.Man, he has a good ass.

He’s so beautiful and kind and good. He smiles wide as he talks to my mom. The grin she’s wearing tells me that she didn’t break anything, which is a bonus. My heart inflates as I think about how much I love my husband. The pressure beneath my chest is so great that it’s uncomfortable. I love Loïc so much, it hurts.

I’m going to be better, I think, pulling in a breath.

He’s right; as long as we have each other, we’ll be fine.

I only need him.

All I need is Loïc.

Me and Loïc against the world.

And, as I hastily make my way toward our master bathroom to relive some wall-banging from the past, I believe it.

London

“The best of friends are the ones who make your side ache from laughter and your face hurt from smiling.”

—London Berkeley

Loïc hands me a large cup of coffee and two pills. “Take the medicine, and drink your water.” He tilts his head toward the large glass of water on the end table next to me.

“Okay.” I nod. “What creamer did you put in?” I drop my gaze to the coffee cup.

“The creamy cinnamon one,” Loïc answers.

“Thanks, babe. That’s my favorite,” I say.

“I know.” He smiles. “I’ll be back in a few hours, okay? I just have one meeting to run today. Shouldn’t be long.”

“Okay. I love you.”

Loïc peppers my lips with a half-dozen quick kisses before saying, “I love you, too. See you in a bit.” He nods a farewell to Maggie, Georgia, and Paige before walking away. “Ladies.”

---