Page 31 of Kiss Me, Mr. Bridge

His laugh rumbles against my skin as he pushes forward, joining us together once again.

I sit at my desk, fingers idly tracing the edge as my mind wanders back to this morning. Ronan’s powerful arms wrapped around me; me on his knee and his deep voice rumbling against my skin as he fed me breakfast.

The intimacy of it all makes my heart race.

Not so wonderful was leaving his home.

I had to duck my head in the car, praying my parents didn’t see me as I passed in his car. The very thought of them finding outabout this arrangement makes my stomach twist. But the way Ronan makes me feel...it could be worth the risk.

My desk phone rings, and I quickly compose myself before answering. “Hello?”

“Luce, it’s Violet. Are you and Amelia free tonight?” Her voice is bright and cheery. But it always is.

“Actually, yeah. We don’t have any plans.” If Ronan calls for me, I know it will be late because he has a meeting at the club at eight tonight.

“Great! I’ll see you later. I want to talk to you guys about something.” She pauses.

“Okay, sure. We’ll be there.” I hang up the phone and send a quick message to Amelia.

The moment I place my phone on the desk, it buzzes with a new message, and I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face when I see it’s from Ronan.

I enjoyed last night more than I should have. Can’t wait to do it all again.

I quickly type out a reply.

Me too. I’m looking forward to it.

Tucking my phone back into my pocket, I turn my attention to the stack of files on my desk. But my mind keeps drifting back to Ronan, to the way he made me feel this morning. The way he makes me feel, period.

And I know I’m dipping my toes into dangerous territory. I also know I shouldn’t be letting myself get so attached. I certainly shouldn’t be feeling anything for my friend’s dad. But there’s also something about him that just draws me in, no matter how hard I try to resist.

Later that night, I tap my pencil against my teeth, studying the half-finished sketch on my easel. The familiar scratch of graphite against paper brings back memories of art classes and dreams I’d shelved.

Just like Ronan’s touch, drawing has awakened something inside me.

The front door chimes. It’s quickly followed by Violet’s laughter echoing through the apartment.

“You won’t believe what happened,” Violet tells Amelia in the hallway.

“Just tell me, will you?” Amelia says, laughter in her tone.

“Is Lucia here? I have to tell you both.”

A knock on my bedroom door interrupts my drawing. Violet pokes her head in, waving a bottle of wine. “Stop being antisocial. Come celebrate with us.”

“What are we celebrating?” I set down my pencil.

“I’m a financial genius.” She grabs my hand, pulling me up. “Come on, this bottle won’t drink itself.”

In the living room, Amelia sprawls across the couch while Violet pours three generous glasses of red.

“So give us the tea,” Amelia says, taking a glass.

“Firstly, I would like to advise you two ladies that men are such idiots when it comes to their wallets and their dicks,” Violet says, handing me a glass. “All it takes is a few well-placed compliments and they’re throwing money at you.”

Amelia snorts. “I remember that guy who bought you a car after two dates. Definitely an idiot.”

“The Porsche guy?” Violet grins. “He was fugly…and wanted sex. And extremely rich.” “Did you sleep with him, considering he was so fugly?” I shift on the couch, taking a large sip of wine. Violet owns her sexuality in a way I never could. She makes no apologies for what she wants.

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