Page 97 of The Deal with the Playboy

“Yes. You need to work on your dreams and goals.”

She kisses me softly, then proceeds to unzip my pants, but I move her hand away. “As much as I want to take your sweet mouth, I have something else for you,” I say against said mouth.

I put the car in drive and pull up to another building. We make it to the rooftop, slow music is quietly playing, and a dance instructor comes into view. He wears a cheap suit, his dark hair combed to the side. He’s dressed as if he’s taking my wife on a date, and I don’t like it.

“Anthony. I’m here with my wife and she wants to learn how to salsa.” I hold Poppy’s hand.

She’s too focused on the background, more specifically, the night sky. I made sure I stalked the weather app to make sure the sky was clear tonight. From here, you can see the skyscrapers flickering and the city below us busy. She turns to me and jumps into my arms, kissing all over my face.

“Thank you so much.”

“Are you ready to begin your session?” Anthony asks.

She nods and grabs my hand. I place my hands on her lower waist and guide her. The instructor tells us how to move our bodies. Soft music plays through the speakers.

“You dance as if you’re making love,” he instructs us. “Look into your wife’s eyes and think you are making love to her.”

My dick aches with need, and now I want to bend her over. I want to make love to her right here and now. I haven’t made love to another woman in a long-ass time, and I’m dying to do it with Poppy.

She looks away, her eyes going to our feet as we move. I wonder if she feels the same way I feel about her. A feeling I keep buried deep inside that I’m afraid to admit out loud because this relationship wasn’t supposed to blossom the way it did. I feel like with every passing moment I spend with Poppy, I want more of her.

We stop moving once the music stops playing, and when we pull away, there is an awkward silence for a moment. She glances at me and I see the longing in her eyes. We don’t speak to one another. I need space to clear my head, but I don’t know what to say or do. Another song plays, this one with a faster beat, and the instructor shows her how to move her hips to the song. I watch her in awe as her eyes light up like Christmas lights.

When the lesson is over, Poppy can’t stop gushing about the class on the ride by back. I love the happiness and the animated look on her face. I love the way she smiles. It’s more beautiful than a clear, rainy day.

“This has been an amazing date, thank you for this, Jasper.”

“Anytime.”

We make it to the penthouse, and before I know it, I have my face buried between her legs. Then I have her face buried in the pillow as I fuck her hard and slow—with a condom, of course. Once we’re done, we both hop into the shower.

Two things hit me at once…

Number one: I couldn’t have chosen a better partner to spend the rest of my life with.

Number two: I’m falling in love with Poppy Barrett.

Poppy

“Ifeel the baby kick,” Lake says, rubbing her belly.

Sweat lines my forehead as the sun hangs high in the sky. I’m sitting on Lake’s balcony and we’re celebrating her baby shower.

The weather is playing yo-yo with us. Today, it’s in the high eighties, whereas yesterday it was cold. That’s one thing about fall in New York City. It can be so unpredictable.

“Can I feel?” I ask.

“Sure.” She places my hand on her stomach, and I feel a thud beneath my palm, making my heart melt.

Sadness overtakes me knowing I’ll never feel a baby move inside me or enjoy that pregnancy glow a woman gets. Or have a baby running around the house, having someone to take care of. My sister says I love to fix people’s problems. It’s not that; it’s that I love taking care of people. I want to feel needed and important. That’s one of the main reasons why I’m opening a daycare for special needs children. Those kids don’t get enough support at home, and society doesn’t have a lot of resources for them.

I glance up at Jasper, and he smiles, patting Atlas on the back. He has been a wonderful man to me, and last night when he took me dancing and fired me so I can pursue my dream gives me hope we can be more than just friends one day, that we can eventually work toward a committed relationship. I have to admit to myself, I might be falling in love with him, but I’m sure he doesn’t feel the same way as I do.

I hope he doesn’t switch up like Link did.

Lake strokes my hand. “What’s wrong, Poppy?”

My gaze zeroes in on her. “I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop with Jasper.” She gives me a puzzled look, so I go on, “He’s been wonderful these past few weeks, and last night he fired me and told me he’s helping me start my own daycare. Then he took me to a private dance class that he arranged. I’m waiting for him to treat me the way Link did.”

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