“Ew,” Natalie says, dropping her fork onto her plate.
“Yeah. Ew,” Louisa mimics, even though I don’t think she’s as put off by the occasional show of affection.
The girls clear their plates and wander off but I stay put, enjoying the feel of Carolina in my arms after a long day. I can’t help but ask to make sure Natalie followed through with her apology.
“She was very sweet. Nothing to worry about. At least she didn’t punch me,” she deadpans.
“Better order my Dad of the Year award, then.”
“Is that a bit of guilt I detect in your voice?”
I shrug. “Maybe.”
“Want to hear my high?”
I rest my head on her shoulder, breathing in the unfamiliar but delicious scent in her hair. “Always.”
“Okay, well my high was that I felt…capable.”
“You’re a very capable person, Caro.”
“I know…but I really felt like I had things handled today. Like, I did my best with the situation.”
I twist her slightly in my lap so we’re face to face. “Until I second guessed you.”
Caro rests her palms on my shoulders. “Well, that was my low, if we’re being honest.”
Honesty comes easy with her. Hell, she accidentally told me about her past without even meaning to and she’s always willing to call me out when I’m being too grumpy and unwilling to accept help.
“I’m sorry.”
“You already said that. I forgive you.” She plants a kiss on the tip of my nose. “Now. My parents invited us over for supper tomorrow. How do you feel about going to that because my brother will be there with Anna and I was talking to her about us a bit and she hasn’t told Chris but I think we’re well past due for telling him–”
“I’m in.”
She smiles, and my chest expands. It’s been doing that a lot lately.
“For dinner or…”
“For the dinnerandyou finally telling your brother about us.”
“Perfect. Do you want to call the girls back in for dessert? I’ve got rocky road in the freezer.”
“Not until I tell you my low of the day.”
“Fine. But make it quick because it’s actually me who really wants that ice cream.”
My lips graze the shell of her ear as I inhale her scent again. “My low is that I haven’t been inside you yet today, and I’m absolutely aching for it,” I whisper.
“Berg,” Caro exhales, my name a blend of admonishment and need.
The sound sends desire rushing through me, and I can feel myself hardening in my jeans.
“We can have ice cream now,” she announces, like I didn’t just come onto her in my kitchen.
I kiss her until she’s breathless and humming against my lips before standing and holding her until she’s steady.
“You tease,” she says, giving me a gentle shove before walking toward the freeze and pulling open the door.