I shake my head slowly. “No, but could you maybe not wear them so… ” My voice trails off as I wave my hands up and down. “So delicious-looking.”
“I’m wearing pajamas in a delicious-looking way? How can clothing even be delicious? It’s not like you eat it.” He’s teasing me and I narrow my eyes at him. Two can play at this game.
“It’s not the clothes that are delicious. It’s what’sunderneaththe clothes.”
Leo groans, exactly as I hoped he would.
“Exactly,” I huff, crossing my arms. “And now I have to leave, and it’s not fair.”
Leo prowls over to me, gathering my hair up in his hands and bending down to kiss my neck. “Why do you have to go?”
A moan escapes me, and for a second I forget why I need to leave. I mean, I guess I could stay.
“I…I don’t have clothes. Or a toothbrush.”
“You don’t need clothes. And I have spare toothbrushes.”
“Work.”
“We can get up early.”
“Umm. Gah.” I lose my train of thought completely when his hand tugs my shirt down, exposing my nipple, and he covers it with his warm mouth.
“Wait. Wait, wait, wait, wait.” I push him away, gasping at the sensation of his lips popping off my breast. “Are we really ready for Violet to wake up and find me here?”
Leo steps back, running his hands through his own hair and letting out a loud sigh. “Damn it. I wish you weren’t so adorably responsible right now.”
I slap his bare chest lightly. “I’ve been responsible all day, thank you very much.”
He pulls me back into his arms, but gentler this time. “Yeah, you have. And have I told you how much I appreciate that or how amazing I think you are?”
I tilt my head to one side. “I mean, yes, but you can always say it again.”
“You’re amazing.” Leo kisses my forehead. “And I appreciate you hanging with Vi today.” He kisses my nose. “And I love you.” This time when he kisses my lips, it’s soft and sweet, and although I still want to get naked and stay the night, I know we’ve both realized that we’re not there yet.
“I’m gonna talk to Vi about you. Tell her you’re more than just Daddy’s friend or her dance teacher. Because I want you to spend the night. I want to wake up with you in my arms. I want everything with you.”
I shiver as his words reverberate in my heart.
“I want that, too.”
Chapter sixteen
Leo
It’s been two days since Serena spent the day with Violet, and my daughter has not stopped talking about it. They connected in a way I don’t even fully comprehend. All I know is my little girl has never been happier and more confident. She smiled at the cashier at the grocery store instead of burying her head in my shoulder and even whispered her thanks when they offered her a sticker.
Somehow, Serena’s worked her magic and is drawing Vi out of her shell, and the change is incredible. The fact that other people are getting to see the happy, cheerful little girl I know Vi can be is everything to me.
I pick Serena up tonight to take her for dinner at a restaurant in Westport that was recommended to me by one of the guys at work. Aunt Claire has Violet for a sleepover for the first time, and I’m equal parts nervous to be away from my daughter for so long and excited to have an entire night with Serena.
I almost canceled, thanks to my little girl being extra clingy and fussy all day. I’m guessing it’s because she’s nervous about spending the night away from home, and while I know everything is going to be fine, I feel guilty leaving her when she’s unhappy.
But it’s not hard to refocus my attention on Serena as soon as I pick her up. Her long legs are on display under a flowy yellow dress. Hell, I barely remember taking her for dinner. I’m sure the food was good, but I was too distracted by Serena’s feet under the table, sliding up and down my leg, tantalizing me, tormenting me, and winding me up faster and harder than I’ve ever been.
Every bite she takes, I swear she turns sexual. With little noises, coy glances, subtle touches, every instant of the evening is torturous foreplay.
When we get back to Dogwood Cove, we both run up the stairs to her apartment, tripping and laughing in anticipation. I know she wants me just as badly as I want her. The door slams shut behind us and I spin her around, lifting her into my arms and pushing her against it.