Page 107 of Extra Dirty

It’s a quick kiss, just our lips fused together. No groping, no tongues. Just a softness, as if he needed to breathe in a little of me, much like I did him, though I didn’t realize it until now.

But that’s how Jay has always been. Giving me things before I even ask. Before I even know I need them.

“Tu m’as manqué,” I whisper against his lips.

His brows pinch together. “You said that the first time I kissed you again. What does it mean?”

“I missed you.” And no truer words have ever been spoken. I missed this man so much it feels like I’m finally coming up for air after a lifetime without it.

He smiles and presses another soft kiss against my mouth. “Do you think it went okay?” he asks, his eyes swimming with vulnerability and his hold on me tightening.

Smiling, I nod. “You knocked it out of the park.”

He glances over his shoulder to the hallway, and when he turns back to me, a smile pulls at his lips. “She’s amazing. You’ve done a really good job with her.”

Leaning back against the counter, I give us both some space. “It was all Cynthia.”

From below his ever-falling lock of hair, Jay peeks at me in that shy way I rarely see these days. “No, Catherine, it was you too. I’m not denying what Cynthia did for our daughter, but don’t discount what you did either. I just hope she gives me a chance to get to be something to her as well.”

I swallow, at a loss for words, unsure whether the right ones even exist. But I know Chloe, so the right answer slips out anyway. “She will. The iPod idea was sweet, by the way.”

“You two have your own little language. I want something like that.”

I can’t help the laugh that slips out at his despondent expression. “It’s not our own little language, Jay. It’s French. An entire country speaks it along with us, as do the Canadians.”

He laughs and turns shyly toward the hallway again. “You know what I mean.”

I smile. “I do.”

Jay studies me before slipping his hands back into his pockets. “I’ll let you get to bed. When can I see her again?”

“Whenever you want. You’re her father, Jay. I’m not going to stand between the two of you. I want you to get to know one another.”

He gives me that boyish grin again. “And what about her mother? When can I finally take you on a date?”

I shrug. “My calendar is pretty full right now. Lots of dates coming up, so I’m not sure.”

Jay lunges for me and grasps me around the middle, tickling me. “Fake dates,” he reminds me.

“Oh, I know. Wouldn’t want you to have to hurt anyone else,” I tease, but we both sober at my words.

Jay palms my cheeks and then kisses each one. “How many bedrooms does this place have anyway?” he asks.

Surprised by the question, I squint at him. “Two, why?”

Jay pulls me in for a hug, and his laughter tickles my ear. “Just figuring out where I’ll stay when we finally announce our engagement,” he teases, pulling back and waggling his brows. “Roomie.”

I roll my eyes and guide him to the door.

“One-bed tropes are my favorite, Kitten.”

“Go home, you fool.” I laugh as I push him out the door.

Before I can shut it, he hauls me into the hall, presses me against the wall, and kisses me. He licks at my lips until I let him in with a moan, then grinds against me. “Soon, Kitten,” he mutters against my lips, “soonthiswill be my home.”

49

YOUR SONG BY ELTON JOHN

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