Page 58 of Stick Move

“It matches my eyes.”

“Right, of course it does. Why don’t you go put it on and I’ll go make coffee for Ms. Brighton and me.”

“Okay, Daddy. Oh, and Ms. Brighton says she’s going to do my hair today.”

She darts into her room, and tears push against the backs of my eyes to see her so happy. Brighton is a big part of this, and I’m not sure how to thank her. Okay, maybe I can figure out a way or two.

I run my fingers through my hair as I walk into the living room and find Brighton standing there waiting for me. Her cheeks are pink, a little rash there from last night, and I curse myself for not shaving before we fell into bed together.

“Morning.” I walk up to her.

“Morning.” I love the way she’s standing there, full of life and confidence. I don’t remember the last time I saw her like that. “Sleep well?”

“What little sleep I did get was good. Missed waking up with you, though.”

“Same.” She crinkles her nose and glances down the hall. “You know we can’t…” For a second, I think she might be checking in, to see if it’s possible. While I want her there, I can’t let Camryn get her hopes too high. If this doesn’t work out…

“You’ll sleep in my bed when I’m gone,” I say, and it’s not a question. “When I’m away, I want to think about you in my bed, thinking of me, touching yourself…”

“What an ego you have there, Noah.”

I laugh at that, because I’m the last guy in the world with an ego.

“You think all we girls do is lay around and touch ourselves as we think about hot hockey players.”

“You’re saying I’m hot.”

She laughs. “Of course, I am.”

“Does that mean ‘we girls lay around and touch ourselves’.”

“I can’t speak for other girls, of course.” She steps closer and puts her hands on my bare chest. She splays her fingers and her warmth penetrates my skin and my soul. “I can only speak for myself.”

“And…”

She arches a playful brow. “And, no.”

I groan. “No.”

“You see, I’ve spent every night with you…so, no need to touch myself. But when you’re gone.” She exhales an exaggerated sigh. “I’m probably going to have to do just that.”

“If I video message, can I watch?”

Her eyes go wide, shocked, but there’s intrigue there too. “One condition,” she finally answers.

“Anything.”

“I get to watch you do the same.”

“Deal.” I glance over my shoulder and when I see the coast is clear, I drag her to me. “Thank you for the dress. That was so incredibly sweet of you.”

“I wanted her to look and feel good on her first day.”

I run my hands down her back and along the curve of her butt. Today she’s in a stylish sundress, looking gorgeous and put together. “You look and feel good on her first day.” I back up at the sound of footsteps.

“Oh, Ms. Brighton, I love it so much.”

We turn to see Bean twirl in a circle and my heart squeezes tight.

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