Mackenzie grinned. “Oh, I was there, I know. You can’t fake passion like that. So are you guys dating now or just keeping things casual?”
I shrugged. “We haven’t talked about it, really. I don’t want to ruin whatever it is. We’re just taking things slow and seeing what happens, I guess.”
“Oh, I know what’s going to happen later,” Mackenzie said with a wink.
Fallon nudged her. “Leave her alone, baby. We’re happy for you, we really are. It’s been a long time coming. Don’t think we don’t notice how you two interact with each other. Why you haven’t gotten together before now is beyond me.”
I really hated this conversation. Everyone knew how I felt about her, which made me feel pathetic. Even though she chose me, for now, I felt like a loser who’d do anything for even a look from her.
I couldn’t help how badly I’d fallen for her, but I was still worried anyone who saw us together would think it was a pity relationship. They’d think she felt sorry for me for wanting her so badly. In reality, the likelihood of that was slim, but anxiety and self-esteem didn’t give a damn about reality.
“Because I didn’t think I had a chance. I still don’t sometimes. Likewhat if she wakes up one day and realizes this isn’t what she wants? That I’m not who she wants?”
“Oh, sweetie. That won’t happen.”
“You can’t know that, Fallon. It can.”
Mackenzie shook her head. “I don’t think you have anything to worry about. I’ve seen the way she looks at you when you’re not paying attention. In the store, I’ve seen how she watches you walk away. It’s the same way you look at her, Kaia. like she can’t believe the universe brought you together. Like she’s the luckiest woman in the world to know you.”
I had to push that dream away because Daisy was headed back to our table. “Thanks for tonight, guys. I think we’re going to head home.”
“Oh, I bet you are.” Mackenzie winked and my blush deepened.
When Daisy approached our table, she smiled at me and wasted no time pulling me in for a kiss. “Are you ready to go?” she asked when we parted.
“After that kiss? Absolutely.”
By the time we made it home and took Duke out, we were both too tired to do anything but undress and climb into bed. We lay there, skin on skin, wrapped in each other’s arms. We caressed each other and kissed passionately but never took it further than that. And that was perfectly okay with me.
Even though I was getting turned on the longer she touched or kissed me, I wanted to soak in the moment. The vulnerability and the reality that she was actually mine.
I got to touch her and kiss her and love her openly, and that was the best feeling. The only thing that would make it better was if she felt the same way.
I knew some of my feelings weren’t one-sided. I caught the way she’d look at me, or how she’d tell me I was beautiful and kiss my forehead like I was precious. And the way she fucked me didn’t hide those feelings, either.
She took her time and was so loving anytime we had sex. Even if we were ravenous for each other, we both put our emotions into the act.
I broke the kiss with a yawn, and she smiled, caressing my cheek andplacing a soft kiss on my forehead, letting her lips linger before pulling away.
“Let’s go to bed, sweetheart.”
I smiled and settled into her arms, placing little kisses on her lips, cheeks, and shoulders before sleep finally took me.
Chapter Thirty-One
KAIA
I had to start telling Daisy to work from home.For the past several months I hadn’t been able to get much work done if I wasn’t in the back.
Every day it was the same routine. Every day I’d start working. Every day I would get about an hour in before my head forced me to look at her. And every day she’d wink or lick her lips, and I’d have to make an excuse to go in the back and cool down.
Some days she would follow me and I’d have to force myself not to do anything more than make out. Some days when it was too much, we left early.
Today was becoming one of those days. She had unbuttoned the top of her dress, and I swore she did it on purpose to tease me. I was trying to focus on the email I needed to send, but I was failing.
I forced my eyes away from Daisy when I heard Drea’s voice. “Hey, Cara!”
Cara looked like her usual business professional self with a red pantsuit. Paired with black stilettos, she looked like the intimidating publisher she was.
