There’s a knock on the door before Bodhi pushes inside, and I grin as I flop down onto the unmade bed. He rolls his eyes and tosses me the chocolate bar.
“Cut it close, I see.”
“Worth it,” I mumble around a mouthful of candy, my eyelids closing as I savor this and so much more.
“I don’t wanna know.”
“I didn’t say anything.”
“Yeah, but you’re making a face and I’m all set with whatever that means.”
I snort and toss the wrapper onto the nightstand. “Suffice it to say that she’s in a much better mood.”
“Great,” he deadpans, tossing a pillow at my head. “I can’t wait to recount this truly heartfelt moment at your wedding.”
“Pretty sure Mama Thayer will wash your mouth out with soap.”
He frowns and shakes his head, kicking off his shoes before dropping onto the other bed.
“You’re right.” He shudders, and I laugh. “Well, you made your girl not hate you and got your chocolate bar. Can we go to sleep now? We have to pick up god damn cows in the morning.”
“Yeah, and Bodhi?”
“Hmm?” he says, reaching for the light, his jeans still on as he lies on top of the covers like he always does, his shirt hanging over the chair.
“Thanks.”
The light clicks off, plunging the room into darkness, and just when I think he’s not going to answer, I hear the words that will forever be a balm to my soul.
“Be easy.
“Easy and free.”
14
LANA
Phone sex had been nice, but I couldn’t deny the way I’d missed the man currently sitting at my kitchen table—the man with a lazy grin and his hair sticking up from where I’d dragged my hands through it over and over. The physical connection had settled something inside me, a restlessness I’d never had before.
“I like the way you’re lookin’ at me,” Mason says with a drawl that’s southernlite—his northern roots still alive and well.
“How’s that?” I ask, dragging my teeth back and forth over my bottom lip as I stir the pasta absentmindedly.
“Like you missed me.”
“I did miss you,” I tell him because I feel absolutely zero shame in that admission. “Is that not the right answer?”
“It’s definitely the right answer because I missed the fuck out of you.”
I laugh and he grins, an easiness settling over us as I drain the water and add the pasta to the skillet, folding it into the creamy vodka sauce. Mason’s gaze is attentive, like he’s learning something just from watching me work.
It’s a simple meal, one I’ve made a thousand times because it’s easy to make for me and the kids.
A little thrill races down my spine at cooking fortwotonight. Mason had gotten plates and silverware and placed them on the counter, he’d poured us wine, andGodit was so nice not to do any of this alone.
Plating our dinner, he follows me into the living room and takes a seat next to me on the couch as I curl my legs up under me and turn to face him.
“How are the cows?” I ask, and he smirks before moaning around a bite of food that has mine suspended in the air as I stare at him. The sound is erotic, and I want to toss my plate over my shoulder, jump into his lap, and do everything I can just to hear that noise again.
