Jonah’s hands slid up my sides and cupped my breasts, massaging me gently. “I’m always needy for my girl. I’m never happy unless I’m with you or inside you.”
When he paused, I felt the ominousbuthanging in the air, even though he didn’t say it. I pulled back to look at him and noted that his expression was serious and realized I was in a different headspace than him.
“What’s on your mind?” I asked, my question coming out in a quiet, terrified whisper.
55
JONAH
“Ineed to tell you something, Lexi.” The words came out rougher than I intended as I held her steady on my lap. I saw the concern flash in her eyes.
My eyes traveled from her face down to her hands, then back up, lingering a moment longer on her eyes. When I looked at her, my heart felt like it could explode.
How did a man do this? Confess his love to a woman who was so much younger than him?
“The first time I saw you at work, I saw red. I was so angry that the woman from my one night stand had shown up at my office. Ever since then, you’ve only surprised me. From that fiery, mocking letter that you wrote to me, to challenging me every time I tried to dominate you. You called me names, laughed at me, or plain disobeyed me, and it wasn’t until then that I knew what I’d been missing. This was miles better than anything I ever dreamed of. It was a breath of fresh air when I didn’t even know I’d been feeling jaded.
“And then you trusted me enough to introduce me to Evie, to your life. You opened up to me about every little thing in yourlife, holding nothing back, and ever since then, all I wanted was to make everything you and Evie wished for come true.
“I’m serious about you, Lexi,” I said at last.
“Too bad, because I wanted you just for fun.” She grinned.
I laughed. “Well, it’s not like I have an option,” I said, running my thumb over her cheek. “Because I’ve realized I’m in love with you, Lexi.”
Her mouth fell open. “Did you just say that?”
“I know I’ve pushed you away for so long in the beginning. I didn’t believe we could have a stable, long-term relationship because of how young you are. And look how wrong I was.”
“Because you thought I still had wild oats to sow?” she asked, looking hurt.
I truly considered that question for the first time. “Yes, sweetheart. It’s what I’d have expected of anyone your age. But I believe having Evie has pushed you to be responsible, and I don’t see you acting like a regular twenty-four-year-old.”
“So I’m asking you now … I’m going to be forty soon. We’ve flirted, had a no-strings-attached relationship, and a relationship. In the beginning, I tried so hard to pretend like my emotions weren’t involved. To be honest, I didn’t know when my emotions came into the picture. It’s gotten to a point where I can’t ignore them anymore, Lexi. I’ve tried everything to stop myself from falling for you, and I realized I was a fool for stopping myself in the first place. I can’t live like that. It’s too painful being away from you. I love you.”
I frowned while she just stared back at me, her mouth falling open. A moment passed, and another, and more.
“And now would be a good time?—”
She laughed and shifted off my lap, moving across the seat as I tried to grab her waist and pull her to me.
“Oh, you’re not pulling that one out of me,” she said, but I could see the happiness on her face.
“I know you love me,” I said, finally grabbing hold of her and pulling her back to me while she squealed. “I see it in your eyes every day ever since that night we met Chloe and Sean.”
“I don’t,” she protested, laughter engulfing her while I kissed her face, her cheeks, her lips, and her neck.
“Say that again,” I challenged.
“I don’t—” she began just as I bit down on her neck, giving her a small bite enough to make her skin flush red.
She squealed and sighed as I let go.
“Say it,” I said.
She turned to face me fully, cupping my face in her hands. Her eyes were soft and full of tenderness.
“I love you, Jonah. I’ve loved you for a long time now,” she said.
