Page 167 of Fielder's Choice

Oscar lets out a deep, calming breath. “Does this mean we have a grandchild now?”

I bark out a laugh. “Well, Sage has claimed Olive as her mom, Harvey as her uncle, and Violet, Luna, and Michelle as her aunts. Sounds to me like you do, gramps.”

Eileen smiles while Oscar cringes. “Yeah, we gotta come up with a better name than that.”

fifty-eight

Olive

Dinnertonightcouldn’tbebetter.

Lane is perfect, making conversation with everyone in my family. He knows how important my family is to me, so he makes sure to take tonight seriously, even if he is still his usual self, all flirty and open.

Sage doesn’t need to try at all, though; all she has to do is walk into the room to have everyone fall in love with her.

With dinner now over, I grab the bag I have packed for tonight, and we say our goodbyes before heading back to his penthouse.

Sage stays up for a little longer when we get there because she’s still so excited about meeting all of my family, but we get her to sleep after about an hour.

Now it’s just me and the man I’ve been missing since he flew out a week ago.

When we walk into his bedroom, I wrap my arms around his waist and rest my head on his chest. “I’m so glad you’re home.”

Lane lightly trails his fingers up and down my back with his other arm wrapped around my shoulders. “So am I, baby. I hate being away from you.”

“I’m sure it’ll get easier,” I say with a soft smile.

“I’m not sure about that. You’re very missable, Ballerina.”

I breathe out a laugh before placing my hand on the back of his head, bringing his face down to mine. “Such a flirt, Hotshot.”

Lane’s tongue darts out, wetting his bottom lip. “I can’tnotflirt with you, Liv. I love you.”

I hum in approval, grasping his Henley shirt in my hands. “I love you, too, Lane. Thank you for coming tonight.”

He looks at me with the utmost affection, tracing his thumb over my cheekbone. “Wouldn’t miss it. I love your family, Olive. So does Sage. We had fun.”

“Why are you so damn perfect?” I smile against his lips.

“Genetics, I suppose,” he rasps, and I can’t help but laugh.

“You’re impossible.”

“And you love me anyway.”

My face softens, and I gaze at the lovely man before me. “Yes, I do.”

Lane leans down and presses his lips to mine. The kiss turns from soft and tender to needy and insistent in a flash. My body heats up as I melt against him, and he groans as I pull his lip in between my teeth.

“Fuck, Liv…” he sighs, adjusting himself over his jeans.

“Just from me biting your lip, huh?” I tease, wondering at the same time if Lucia might be right about what she said.

“Olive, I’m pretty sure you could breathe, and it would turn me on,” he chuckles. “But we don’t need to do anything. Just because we’ve had sex now doesn’t mean I’m going to expect it every time we’re together.”

“And if I want to? Have sex tonight?” I ask breathily, pulling him closer again.

“Then I wouldn’t be able to tell you no because I’m so goddamn weak around you.”

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