Page 32 of Whatever It Takes

“It’s going to take some time, Quinn. Our problems can’t be fixed overnight. Plus,” she threaded her fingers along the top of my hair, and I closed my eyes, loving the feel of having her hands on me, “we can’t ignore the fact that I’m still technically married.”

I groaned. “Don’t fucking remind me. But we’re going to fix that.” I pulled her mouth to mine and brushed a slow kiss to her lips. They felt familiar but new. So soft and inviting. Seven years of regret melted in an instant.

Kissing her was better than I remembered. Everything seemed more intense and profound as our tongues lashed together with an urgency that matched the beating in my chest. My hands wrapped around her ass and her fists grabbed my shirt. My restraint was fleeting, and I found myself grinding into her because I couldn’t help myself. No matter how many years had passed or where life had taken me, nothing compared to having her back in my arms.

I didn’t know how long we stood in that bathroom and made out like two teenagers, but eventually, she pulled back and placed her palms on my chest. I brought my shaking hands up to cradle her face and ran my thumb along her jaw.

“We’ll figure this out,” I promised and kissed her forehead. “I’m going to go lock up. Why don’t you get changed and come lie on the couch with me? I’ll pour you a glass of wine and you can just relax.”

She looked up at me and nodded. “Okay.”

I gave her one last kiss and walked out of the bathroom, feeling like someone had just pressed the reset button on my life.

After locking all the doors and closing all the blinds, I flipped through a few movies on Netflix. I smiled when I saw one of her all-time favorites. I strolled into the kitchen and poured a glass of chardonnay like I promised. I grabbed a few throw blankets and relaxed back into the couch. I stripped down to my white T-shirt but left my jeans on.

Charlotte came down the stairs holding a few pillows and a phone charger. She’d changed into a comfortable pair of pajamas that did nothing to hide her figure. I patted the space next to me and saw her face light up when she saw the movie that was about to start.

She cocked an eyebrow. “Pretty Woman.”

“It’s still your favorite, right?”

She twirled the ends of her hair around her finger. A bright smile lit up her face. “I appreciate this whole seduction thing you’ve got going on here, but let me give you a tip: I’m a sure thing.”

I threw my head back and laughed. “I forgot you knew the whole movie, line for line.”

She shrugged her shoulders and padded her way over to me. “Something’s never change.”

I pulled her tight up against my side and gave her a small kiss on the lips. “You’re absolutely right.”

We sat and laughed throughout the whole movie as I quizzed her about every scene. She could tell you word for word what Richard Gere and Julia Roberts were going to say before they even said it. As soon as the credits rolled across the screen, she was out like a light.

I knew I should have brought her upstairs and laid her down on her comfortable bed, but I liked having her in my arms. So much that I sat and watched her sleep. She looked so peaceful. The last thing I wanted to do was wake her up. So, I selfishly pulled her tighter against my chest and had the most restful night’s sleep in years.

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