Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 82940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
Erin forced back the smile playing around her lips. She wanted to stay cool at all costs—because they were in front of her whole family, but also because she was used to keeping her cards close to her chest and doing otherwise felt odd. Then she remembered her decision to talk frankly with Jay, to start things—if that was what he wanted—with a clean slate.
Instead of answering, she whispered, “Did you miss me?”
Without a second’s pause, he shot back, “More than you can imagine.”
She all but melted. “I missed you too.” Then, with a little grin, she added, “But mostly Nelson.”
Nelson was currently getting acquainted with Buster, the Davenport family dog, with Buzzy bounding around the two of them, happy to have both his friends hanging out together.
Erin and Jay watched their dogs play, and for a second Erin caught herself imagining their own children playing. She shook her head, half laughing, half terrified, by the strong and enticing vision that had popped into her head. She took three pancakes from the stack and decided she’d eat her feelings until she got them under control.
Jay suddenly said, “Damien, have you ever considered doing the musical score for a film?”
Silence fell as everyone waited for Damien to answer. He looked a little bemused. “Not really.”
Erin wondered what Jay was plotting.
“I see your love song is number one—congrats. I’ve got a little romantic comedy project on the go. We should talk.”
Erin almost choked on a blueberry. If she hadn’t already got it, the way his knee was intimately nudging hers made it clear which romantic comedy he was referring to. The one he was writing about them.
With regret, Damien said, “I’m not sure I have it in me to write any more love songs. As Erin pointed out before you got here, I might be the kind of artist who has to experience love before they can really write about it.”
Beneath the table, Jay’s hand came to rest on Erin’s knee. Again, she felt the beginnings of a flush spread across her cheeks, so she grabbed her mug of coffee and dived right in.
“Erin is a very smart woman,” Jay said.
She gulped. The coffee was too hot and so was Jay. Her heart was beating so hard she could barely think straight.
The rest of breakfast passed in a blur. Normally Erin loved their big family meals, but this morning she might just leap to her feet and blurt, “I had sex with Jay.” That’s how messed up she felt. Mila was sending her glances that made it clear her sister had read the room.
Would this breakfast never end? She wanted to get to Jay’s place. And fast!
When all the food had been polished off, Erin declined another cup of coffee, shared what she hoped was a secret look with Jay, and said she had to get going. Jay got up to help with the dishes and said he’d be making tracks soon, too.
After hugging everyone good-bye, including Jay (which sent a thrill through her body), she headed for the front door. To her surprise, her mom walked out with her. She pulled her in for a big hug and then whispered in her ear, “I just want you to know that I approve.”
Erin pulled back, shocked. It was like her mother had some extra sense where her children were concerned. Had she seen that Erin was crazy about Jay? Just from seeing the two of them side by side at breakfast? She thought they’d been discreet, but maybe there was no being discreet when it came to her mom.
She wasn’t sure how to respond—after all, she still hadn’t got her own feelings in check—so all she managed was, “Thanks.”
Her mom gave her another warm, knowing look and then said she’d see her soon.
Erin walked to her car with Buzzy. If her mom thought Jay was good for her, maybe her instincts about him were right after all.
Though Jay hadn’t said more than a casual good-bye, Erin got in her car and drove straight to his house. She waited in the drive, all her senses tingling, the anticipation building. Just when she couldn’t wait another moment, his Lamborghini pulled up alongside her.
They both opened their doors at the same time and raced toward one another. His hands circled her waist, pulling her in tight, and his lips found hers hungrily. She stroked the nape of his neck and then allowed her fingernails to rake down his back. He moaned into her mouth. Without speaking, they pulled apart, stared at one another with a shared deep, intense lust, and then he grabbed her hand and half dragged her through the front door, the dogs bounding behind them.
Just like the first time they’d made love, they kissed as if their lives depended on it, and couldn’t get naked fast enough. He grabbed her hand again and they ran up the stairs together. Jay managed to close the bedroom door before the two dogs got there.