Page 48 of Operation Annulment
It does sound like Jess. I’m disgusted by the thought that there might be more women like her.
Kate stands up and takes my plate. “I’m feeling a little sleepy. I think I’d better call it a night. I have another long day of unpacking ahead of me. Garrett, should we wake Daniel up?”
“Yeah. I need to get him home.”
I feel like an ass.
Of course, Kate would be uncomfortable talking about Jess. I stand up and take the plate from her hands. “Let me clean up. Go ahead and go to bed.”
She leaves me and Garrett standing in the dining room, staring at each other uncertainly.
“I think that went well.”
I grab him into a headlock. “The fuck is wrong with you, dickhead? She doesn’t want to hear about Jess. And keep your goddamn hands off of her.”
He reaches around me and grabs hold of my ear, pulling me off of him.
“Daddy?” Daniel stands next to Kate, taking in the spectacle before him.
We immediately release each other and straighten our clothing.Garrett scoops Daniel up, and the little boy immediately lays his head against his shoulder.
“C’mon, little guy. Let’s get you home and into bed.” He turns back to Kate. “Thank you for a wonderful dinner. Daniel and I had a great time.”
She gives him a side hug, embracing Daniel in the process. “Anytime. It was great to meet you both.”
I walk him out to the truck. “You can’t say anything to Mom or Dad. Not yet. We’re still trying to sort this out ourselves.”
Garrett gets Daniel fastened into his car seat, and his little eyes drift shut almost immediately. He closes the back door and turns to me. “What do you mean you’re trying to sort this out? You’d be a fucking toolbox to end things with her. She’s shown more affection for you in the last few hours than Jess ever did.”
I shake my head. “Things aren’t that simple. Jess is sick.”
Garrett claps his hands. “Good. Maybe she’ll die, and whatever fucking spell she has over you will be broken.”
I pop my neck to relieve the building tension. “Don’t say that. Don’t be an asshole. I’m not interested in getting back together with her. I’m just worried because she’s all alone.”
He shakes his head angrily. “She’s alone because she chose to fuck half of Lubbock when she was married to you. It’s karma, Nate. Open your fucking eyes. Look, I won’t say anything to Mom about this, but don’t screw this up.”
I stand in the bathroom doorway, watching Kate shower. It’s taking everything in me not to strip down and join her. We might have a piece of paper that says we’re married, but this relationship is still in its infancy.
She hums, and I can see her body clearly in my mind. I’m having flashbacks to our first night together, and my resolve isslipping.
Fuck it.
I drop my jeans and kick them across the floor, adding my shirt and boxers to the pile less than a second later. I gently pull the glass shower door open, freezing when I see her hand between her legs.
She wasn’t humming—she was moaning. I’m just debating whether to stay or go when her body goes taut, and she whispers my name.
My motherfucking name.
I’m a goner. Everything Garrett said is spot on. I’d be a fucking idiot to let her go. Her body shudders and stills, the water running like rivers over her skin.
I pull her back into my chest, and she exhales softly. “That was so fucking hot, babe.”
She turns her head to the side and looks up at me. Her cheeks are tinged with pink, and I can’t decide whether it’s from her orgasm or embarrassment. “You weren’t supposed to be in here.”
I laugh softly. “Well, I’m sure as hell going to be in here from now on. You should know that the showerhead is detachable in case you need it for those hard-to-reach areas.” My hands drop from her arms down to her stomach.
“Nate…”
