“Well, it is when you consider no one but you, my lawyer, and my ex know I’m divorced.”
Carter jerks, the knife in his hand smashing through the vegetable under it. His eyes meet mine, confusion clear in his expression. “You didn’t tell your parents? How could they not know?”
I shake my head. “I don’t share my private life with anyone, especially my parents, and no one has ever questioned why Colin is never by my side. He was rarely with me in the five years before we married and nothing changed after. I guess nobody cares enough to be curious.”
I shrug. The lack of interest about my absentee husband from those closest to me has never bothered me that much, certainly not enough that I felt the need to share details of my failed marriage without prompting.
“What the fuck? They’ve never asked why they don’t see him?”
“No. But then I only see them twice a year. Once at Christmas and once at the Sapphire Ball.” Carter stares at me with a scowl on his handsome face. “And honestly, seeing them that often is a hardship.”
He shakes his head as if trying to make sense of my words. “But they’re yourparents.”
“Only biologically. My brother and I were raised by a string of nannies.” I can see pity in Carter’s gaze and can’t stand for him to feel that way. “Honestly, Carter, it’s no big deal. There was never any attachment and you can’t miss what you never had.”
“Well, forgive me for being blunt but that’s fucked up.” He puts the knife down and pulls me into his arms, crushing me against his chest. “I don’t understand how anyone could not want to spend every waking moment with you once they met you.”
I chuckle but the sound holds a trace of sadness. “I guess they don’t like what they see.”
“Then they’re fucking blind. Or stupid. Both.” He squeezes me tighter then pushes me to arm’s length. “Let’s get this dinner on and then we can sit and relax. I’ll even massage your feet.”
“I have a hair and nail appointment at four. I’m already cutting the timing close. I’ll have to fix the salad and dessert after I get back, before I get dressed.”
“Oh.” I don’t miss the disappointment in his gaze. “Okay, why don’t you leave me instructions for the salad and dessert, and I’ll get everything done while you’re out getting fancied up?” He grins and goes back to slicing eggplant.
I study him for a moment and wonder why he’s doing this. He hasn’t once tried to get my clothes off, and while I’ve been aroused all day just being in his company, it isn’t an unbearable discomfort. And I know he still wants me. The bulge in his jeans is proof of that. From the moment I found him on my doorstep, his actions have confused me.
“Carter?”
He tips his chin toward me but doesn’t take his eyes off what he’s doing. “Yeah.”
“Don’t you have somewhere else you’d rather be?”
Putting the knife down, he turns toward me and erases the three feet between us. He cradles my face in his cool hands, his thumbs sweeping gently back and forth over the curves of my cheeks. “I told you before. There isn’t any place I’d rather be than here with you, Princess.”
He kisses me then. A slow, soft kiss that fires all my nerve endings and reminds me of the way we usually spend time together.
I can’t hold back a moan when he thrusts his tongue into my mouth, but he doesn’t increase the pace, doesn’t touch me in any way except those big hands carefully cradling my face while his mouth works over mine, and I know to the very center of my soul that this kiss is different.
That today is different. That what we’re doing in this moment has taken us across another line.
We’ve gone from one night of hot, sweaty, no-strings sex to exclusive fuck buddies to…this.
And I have a sinking feeling that this is going to rock my world far more than letting Carter fuck me already has.
14
CARTER
“Is this your wedding picture?” I ask in spite of promising myself I wouldn’t.
I noticed it while Livi was out getting her hair and nails done. I admit to being a little shocked by the violent urge to smash it that had punched through me, but I’d reminded myself—over and over—that she divorced him, stopped wearing her wedding rings the day the idiot left.
When she doesn’t answer, I glance over my shoulder. She has one hand on the back of the couch while she slips her foot into the sexiest high heel I’ve ever laid eyes on, but I can’t let the lust the sight inspires distract me.
“Princess?”
“Mmm?” Livi looks my way, a frown marring her face before what I asked registers and the scowl is turned to the portrait. “Yes.”
