This close, I could feel the heat of his breath on my skin. The urge to reach out and touch his face, run my fingers over the ridge of his jaw, feel his warmth was all-consuming.
Could I? Should I?
One of us moved. Him? Me? I couldn’t be sure. Either way, we were pulled together like magnets with opposing poles.
Our lips met in an impulsive kiss. Half defiant and half surrender.
Not slow. Hard and fast and open-mouthed. We jumped right into the deep end of the ocean without a life preserver.
Messy and frantic, lips and tongues and teeth. Not smooth, not gentle.
This was Jasper. No polished edges, no holding back, just pure energy and enthusiasm. I wanted to get closer, so muchcloser. He slid his hands down to my ass, gripping tightly. I clung to his too short T-shirt like I was ready to claw it off his body.
I was mindless. Absorbed in Jasper. In his mouth, his hands, the scent of him everywhere. It was natural, falling into this, into him. Turning my brain off when he was touching me.
He shifted, the movement causing his hardness to brush against my stomach.
An alarm went off in my brain then. This could go way too far too fast. And I couldn’t do that again. Losing control once was enough.
As I pulled back, his grip tightened on my hips.
God, what I wouldn’t give to throw caution to the wind. But the heaviness in my breasts reminded me that I had responsibilities now.
“Sorry.” I pushed against his chest. “I’ve got to feed Vincent.”
Releasing me, he looked away. “Of course. Right. I’ll just… um. I’ll sleep on the couch.”
Heart racing, I debated just jumping him. But only for a second before I thought better of it.
“Okay, great. Blankets are in the hall closet.” I got to my feet and dashed toward the nursery on shaking legs, my thoughts consumed by that kiss.
Chapter 21
Evie
Pulse pounding, I smoothed down my skirt. This was nerve racking.
Ruby had come by and supplied an outfit for this occasion. She’d also played with Vincent while I did my hair and makeup. Though I did have to help her up off the floor.
“I’m ready to pop,” she whined. “I’ve been eating all the spicy food. Why can’t I just go into spontaneous labor like you did? Should I go get a pizza?”
“You’re almost there,” I said. “Enjoy sleeping.”
“I can’t. My little ninja likes to kick me in the kidneys while I sleep.”
On the playmat, Vincent rocked back and forth, determined to roll over. His persistence was impressive, and I loved how he scrunched up his face in concentration when he was learning a new skill.
“You’re gorgeous,” she said, cradling her belly. “Look at your waist. I miss my waist.”
A light laugh escaped me. “Thank you for helping today.”
She looked down at my little guy in his Oxford shirt and cuffed jeans. Another outfit she’d brought over. “I wanted youboth to look great when you meet the family for the first time. These people could be your in-laws.”
My heart lurched. “Stop. It’s not like that.”
She patted my cheek. “Sure thing, gorgeous—” With a harsh breath in, she winced.
“Are you okay?”
