Page 52 of Where Happiness Begins

I cross the room in two steps, then grab it from his hands and clutch it to my chest.

However, he’s stronger than me, and when he says, “Oh, but I wasn’t done with it yet,” he easily steals it back.

“Give it,” I say.

His large hand dwarfs the toy as he inspects it, turning it at different angles. When he finally looks up from it, I’d swear there’s a sheen of something new in his eyes. Something that almost looks like lust. But just as rapidly as it appeared, it’s gone, replaced by pure delight.

“Who knew cleaning could be so informative?”

“Carter, I swear to God.”

I try to sound intimidating, but clearly, it doesn’t work because he only returns to his study of the dildo.

“Realistic, isn’t it? All those veins…”

“Give it back.”

His smirk is devilish. “Or what?”

I decide to skip the answering part and go straight to grabbing it from his hands. Sadly for me, he’s faster and taller than me, and he decides to go for a playground move: lifting it above his head where I can’t reach.

“You asshole,” I say before jumping on him.

He doesn’t expect it, wobbling as I climb his body like a tree, one arm clamped around his neck while the other is extended, trying to reach that fucking dildo. My face is burning, but I don’t know if it’s from exertion or embarrassment. Obviously, I was wrong to think I couldn’t dig myself deeper in front of Carter. And for some reason, I don’t really care.

I start laughing as I push my foot into his side, making him lose his balance, enough that he shouts an “Oh, fuck,” before falling backward, arms gripped around me. Thankfully, my bed is there to absorb our fall.

I’m now sprawled onto him, eyes level with his, and I’d swear I’ve never seen him so gleeful.

“Give it back, you brute.”

“Not sure.” His nose scrunches in the cutest way. “I kinda like it.”

I try to grab it from where he’s holding it behind my back, but again, he brings it above his head.

“I will literally kill you,” I say, unable to keep a straight face.

“A real fighter, aren’t you?”

When I narrow my eyes, it makes him laugh, his lips splitting into the biggest smile I’ve ever seen on him, teeth glinting in theafternoon light. One of his canines is a little bit crooked, I notice for the first time, and it only makes his smile even more endearing.

Whoosh.

I can’t not return the smile. Happiness looks so freaking good on him.

“You know I will get this toy even if it kills me, don’t you?”

His shirt rides up as he brings the dildo higher above his head, exposing some of the dark hair creating a happy trail at the bottom of his abdomen. My breath stutters, and I force my gaze away. I need to think of a strategy.

He expects me to reach for it again. Which is precisely why I don’t, instead digging my fingers into his sides. Just like I expected, his muscles contract as he starts cry-laughing.

Knew it. He’s ticklish.

“Oh my God, stop,” he wheezes out.

“Give it.” I giggle.

He resists another second before dropping the dildo to the floor. “White flag.”

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