“Why does it matter? How’s Anastasia? Or have you moved on from her by now?”
“When are you going to admit that you belong with me? I’ve tried to give you space, I’ve respected your wishes, but this little cry for help is pathetic. Come back to me, and neither one of us will have to waste any more time with placeholders.”
“That’s a disgusting way to look at people…as placeholders. Trust me, there are no cries for help going on. I’m happy, very happy. I meant it when I said we’re over, Christian. It’s been over for a long time. I’m not sure why you’re dredging this back up now.”
“We have a child together, Dahlia. We’ll never be over. Chloe needs her father. We should be living together as a family. It’s your fault that Chloe is growing up without a stable home.”
He hangs up the phone, and I sit there, fuming.
That took a turn I wasn’t expecting. Christian hasn’t talked about getting back together for a long time. Why now? Is he really so egotistical that the thought of me dating someone warrants all this?
I go into the living room, and Dylan is leaning against the counter. He’s taken his shirt off and is wearing sweats and a sexy grin.
“How did it go?”
I hesitate. “I’m a little unnerved by the conversation. He brought us up.”
He goes still. “What about us?” he asks, his voice low.
“He wanted to know more about you. Said Chloe keeps bringing you up.”
“You did say she yoves me,” he says, laughing.
I grin and then take a deep breath. “He also said he and I will never really be over…because we have a child together.”
A flare of something flickers across his face. Jealousy? Protectiveness? That seems more true to his character.
He lets out a long exhale. “Well, great. He better be prepared for me to be in the big fat middle of whatever he’s planning. I’ll bring the snacks.”
I cough out a laugh even though I’m trying to stay quiet.
“No, no, I get it. Christian wants to be part of your lives forever.” He pushes my hair out of my eyes. “But he doesn’t get to claim you,” he says softly. “And he definitely doesn’t get to claim us losing any sleep over it.”
“I love how you’re not threatened in the slightest.”
“Threatened?” he scoffs. “Hell no. If you wanted to be with that man, you would’ve been a long time ago.”
His arms slide around my back, pulling me close. I settle against him where I belong.
“I hope you put that schmuck in his place,” he murmurs into my hair.
“You know I did.”
He chuckles, and it’s so sexy, I shiver.
“I love you so fucking much,” he says.
My body has been slowly easing, my breath steadying the longer I hold on to him. When I look up at him, the last of that unsettled knot dissolves.
“Good. Because I love you so fucking much too.”
He gasps. “The mouth on you,” he says, kissing down my neck.
I grab his hair and tug his mouth to mine, kissing him deep. His mouth is addictive.
The world shrinks to just us in this moment.
His hands move to my backside, and I let out a little squeak when he gives it a little slap. I cover my mouth and laugh.
