Page 98 of Captivating Mr. Second Chance

He met her halfway for a kiss that did more for his weary soul than any prayer or miracle could have done. With her fingers in his hair and her tongue parting his lips, he felt like he could face down anything that came his way, as long as she was next to him. Whatever came their way, they would battle it together.

“I’m so sorry,” she said against his lips. “You were right. I should have dealt with Bobby months ago.”

He closed his eyes, leaning his forehead against hers. “There is no right or wrong way, Laney. You needed to deal with your closure at your own pace. Last night, with…everything…”

She snorted a laugh, sitting back. Her eyes sparkled with mirth. “By everything, you mean that punch you threw?”

“Yeah.” He gave in to a chuckle. “That was my own insecurity.”

A sly smile crossed her features. “I don’t know. I thought it was kinda hot.”

His fingers bit into the skin at her waist. “Really?”

She sucked her bottom lip between her teeth and nodded.

“Well, in any case, I shouldn’t have done it. Especially not there. I just couldn’t stand the idea that you were really considering him again.”

“Never.” She narrowed her eyes. “I was never considering him.” She tipped her head side to side. “Well, that’s not the whole truth. For .0003 seconds, I did consider his job offer.”

Ethan raised his brow. “He offered you a job?”

“After I told him there was absolutely no chance of me getting back with him, he asked if I’d work for him again. Basically told me I could name my price and title.”

“And you told him no?” he asked, because he had to be absolutely sure.

“Of course I told him no. Besides, that was the news I had to tell you. I already have a job offer.”

“Really?” Ethan jerked his head back. “Where? Here?”

“Yes, here.” She smacked at his shoulder. “I told you I was working with a headhunter. It’s the communications director position for Avit Tech.”

“Yeah? So you told Bobby to go fuck himself because you already had a job?”

She repositioned herself in his lap, setting her legs on either side of his hips, and he dropped his hands down to her ass. “I didn’t quite use those words, and I didn’t tell him I already had a job.”

He squeezed a handful of her cheeks. “What did you tell him?”

“I told him that he loved the idea of me more than he actually loved me, and that I was with you. There was never a chance of me going back to him because I love you.” She lowered her mouth to his ear, whispering, “It’s always been you, Ethan. I love you.” Then she pressed a hot, wet kiss to his neck. “Is there still room for my stuff in your bathroom?”

His fingers found their way underneath the band of her leggings. “Wherever I am, there will always be room for you. I love you, Lane.” When she lifted her head, her smile brighter than the sun, he didn’t hold back his grin either. “That’s my girl.”

30

“Hey, you almost ready?” Ethan asked.

Laney added the finishing touches to her face. “One minute.”

He nodded but didn’t move from his spot in the doorway of the hotel bathroom, his fingers tapping on the walls.

She smiled over at him. “You all right?”

He nodded again. He’d gotten his hair trimmed and actually put on a pressed shirt, as opposed to one of his T-shirts. With his chino shorts and white sneakers, he could’ve passed for a model. Especially when he refolded the sleeves of his shirt up to his elbows.

“You look really handsome,” she said, hoping to calm him. When he didn’t respond, she set down the bronzer, fluffed her curly hair, and then twirled in front of him. “What do you think?”

“I think if you’re trying to sidetrack me with sex, it’s not going to work.”

She reached for his waist, towing him in for a quick kiss. “Are you sure?”

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