Rhodes chuckles and kisses me while doing it. “Check with Harvs about mini-golf this coming weekend. And since Jake’s license test isn’t for two more weeks, he’ll be up for an outing too.”
“Big step,” I murmur, looking deep into his soft blue eyes. “Going out with our kids.”
“I think we’re old enough and wise enough to know not to waste time when it comes to something that feels this good and this right. We’ll go at whatever pace feels right between the two of us, but nice and slow with the kids.”
My heart stutters before it melts into a puddle at my feet—pretty much the same thing my entire body is threatening to do. “Rusty my ass,” I murmur, earning a panty-dropping grin from the man.
He leans in so our lips are barely touching, his warm breath fanning over my skin and making me tremble. “Seems I’m finding my groove when it comes to you.” Then he kisses me once more—this time soft and slow and gentle. He pulls away and gifts me a smile that makes me feel like the luckiest woman in Chicago.
Thank heavens for knights in shining armor and matchmaking brothers, because holding Rhodes in my arms, I never wanna let him go. And though that should scare me, it absolutely does not.
Chapter 11
Rhodes
As much as all the guys at work have given me ‘advice’ about what to do, when to do it, and Scotty’s constant questions about whether I have done it, I’m not going to wait X amount of days to call her. I’m not gonna play games, because I’d hate for her to do that to me, and in the three weeks since the setup, there’s been absolutely nothing but straight-up honesty. This thing that’s building between us is as easy as breathing. Even accidentally mentioning Lily didn’t annoy Dee. In fact, she was fucking perfect in her response to it.
It’s a hard thing to discuss, and not because I’ve been holding myself back for six years or grieving my wife. Jake and I gave ourselves to the end of the year that she died to simply grieve, processing everything as it came flying at us; the missed milestones, birthdays, family traditions, and the little things. Like no longer coming home to a house filled with delicious baking smells or crawling into bed after a twenty-four and just holding her in my arms for the peaceful ten minutes we’d get before Jake would wake up or Lils would have to get ready for work.
After that year, we shifted to celebrating her life and remembering all the good things. Now in almost everything we do, we carry her with us.
Then there’s Dee, and I don’t know what it was that first drew Jake to her videos, but when he showed me that first one where she was talking about box food being sustenance for aliens, it was like I had been lost and suddenly found again. It’s the only way I can describe it. It wasn’t love at first sight, but it was definitely a case of interest, intrigue, and many hours spent watching her old videos.
After meeting her, kissing her, and dreaming of all the things I wanna do to and with her, that feeling has only intensified.
Checking the time and noting I’ve still got a good three hours until Jake gets home, I consider asking her for an impromptu lunch date. Maybe a burrito or hot dog and quick walk around Grant Park. Picking up my phone I dial her number.
“Hey, handsome. I was just thinking about you.”
My brows go up. “Is that right? Funny that. I was thinking about you too.”
She laughs. “Hence the call.”
“Uh huh. How are you?”
“I’m good. Been hanging at home this morning. I had a late night in the kitchen since my manager called in sick, so the struggle to get out of bed this morning was very real.” She sighs. “Thankfully, Flynn has consultations all day, which means he was able to see Harvs off to school and let me sleep.”
“You work long hours. It’s good he’s there to help.” And the only jealousy I have is that fact that it wasn’t me there for her.
“And now you see the beauty of my ex and I getting along and co-parenting in harmony.”.”
I chuckle. “Maybe I should entice you to come over with the offer of a massage.”
“God,” she moans, and I feel that sound right in my dick. “That would be amazing.”
“My hands are always willing and able, sweet cheeks. They’re yours if you want them.
She falls silent. “You shouldn’t tease me, honey.” Her voice is warm and low and reaching me in all the right places. Damn, she’s good. “I know how you make me feel when you’re hands are on me, so I can imagine how they’d be all over me . . .”
Yep. My dick is definitely wide awake and eager to please now.
“Are you home alone?” she asks curiously.
“Sure am. Why?” I smile. “You wanna come keep me company?”
“I’d love to.”
I wait for a but that doesn’t come.
“On one condition . . .”
“Name it. I’ll do it,” I say.
If it was any other guy at work saying this stuff, I’d be ribbing the crap out of them. But instead of Dee and I being at the three-week stage, it honestly feels like we’re at the two-three month one already. Maybe it’s the fact we’re older and wiser and over the whole dating bullshit that goes along with new relationships. Or maybe it’s ’cause she’s Dee, and she makes everything easy.
“I’ve arranged cover for the restaurant tonight, thank god, but I’ve gotta go drop some keys off, so my condition is that you let me bring you lunch.”
“You’re honestly asking if you can feed me? Dee, you can do that anytime.”
“Good. ’Cause that means it’s up to you to provide the entertainment . . .” She lets her statement hang between us and my brain and dick yell ‘hell yeah’
