How could I ever say no to this woman? How did I ever think I could, when she brings more to my life than I ever thought possible?
Joey is a ball of sunshine. Nothing but pure joy.
Moving to sweep her into my arms, I realize I need this. Need her radiance and love of life. It’s something that’s been missing.
I will do whatever it takes to hold on to this feeling with her.
“What?” Joey says, looking down at me with a beaming smile on her face.
“Nothing. Happy, is all.”
She drags her fingers through my hair before slanting her mouth over mine. I pull her close, bunching her dress up in my hands. The need to be as close to her as possible takes over as I deepen the kiss.
It’s the two of us, floating in the water together, our tongues tangling. I alternate between nibbling on her lip and tasting her.
“Fuck, Joey,” I moan. “I can’t get enough of this damn lip gloss of yours.”
Pulling back, I swipe my thumb over her lips. They’re swollen from our kiss. I could keep at this all day, but we don’t have the time today.
“I might need to buy a few more tubes.”
I lick over her mouth, relishing the sweet taste. “Please do.”
Lifting her into my arms, I carry her back to the shore and drop down onto my ass. We continue our make-out session. Her fingers dig into my shoulders.
I want to keep going, but my phone beeps in my pocket.
My timer.
“Damn,” she murmurs against my lips. “Just when it was getting good.”
“Hey.” I brush her hair back. “There will always be another time.”
“Promise?”
She wiggles over me. “Ugh, darlin’. Do you know how hard it’s going to be to ride home with this problem?”
“Probably not as annoying as a wet dress.”
“Maybe next time I’ll give you more warning and you can wear something more appropriate.”
“Mmm. Next time sounds great, Sam.”
I help her up as we put our boots back on. Before she can get up on Lollipop, I pull her back in for one last kiss.
“There will be a lot of next times, darlin’.”
As many as I can get, in fact.
Chapter Eighteen
JOEY
“Mommy, do I get a snack tonight?”
“Of course. Anything you want.”
“Yesss,” he says, pumping his arm.
