“Thanks for getting him ready,” she says, pushing her hair back behind her ears. She’s got this red lipstick on that I want to kiss off her. She gives me a knowing smile. “Tane, we don’t have time for that.”
I bring her to me, lean down and kiss her neck. “Have a great day at work. Want to go out for dinner tonight?”
She sighs and nods. “Sounds good. You can choose a place. Parker likes Italian, though.”
“Parker or you?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.
“Both of us,” she replies, grinning. Then, she surprises me. She goes on her tiptoes and whispers in my ear, “How could it be possible to want you again? After how many times we made love last night and this morning?”
She pulls away, smiles, says bye to Parker and then walks out the door, leaving me open-mouthed and hard.
I shake my head and will my hard-on away.
That woman is going to be the death of me.
*****
I spend the morning talking to my new agent, Leanne, about getting a few gigs lined up for when I return to work, then head back to my house and spend a few hours in my studio room. It’s been a few weeks since Giselle and I first slept together, and I’ve been at her house pretty much every night since. I want us to move in together, but I don’t know if she’s ready for it yet. I keep hoping she will bring it up—but no luck so far. I can be patient. When it comes to her, I know I can be patient. I open the top drawer in my study and pull out the small black, velvet jewellery box.
Soon.
I slide it back away and then stand, needing to get ready to pick Parker up from kindy. I told him I would take him surfing afterwards. I pick him up and then get some lunch on the way, dropping it off at the library for Giselle. After that we head to the beach, meeting Levi there. When I see Keira there with Justin I force a smile, but do my best to stay out of her way. Soon enough, though, she walks over in her tiny yellow bikini, sticking her chest out so obviously that I see Levi cringe. I’m pretty sure my expression mirrors his.
“How have you been, Tane?” she purrs, sliding next to me. I don’t miss her staring at my body.
“Good,” I reply, moving away from her and turning my attention to Parker.
Levi walks over and stares down at Keira. “Justin wants you to play with him.”
Keira sighs, like it’s an imposition, but goes over and plays with her son.
“Sorry,” Levi says, grimacing. “I wanted to bring Justin but she found out you were coming and insisted she be here.”
“It’s alright,” I tell him. “She is your sister.”
Levi sighs heavily. “And you can’t choose your family.”
“No, but you can make your own.”
He bobs his head, reflecting quietly. “I’m happy for you and Giselle.”
I turn to him. “You are?”
“Of course I am. I’ve never seen her this happy before.”
“I’ve never been this happy before.” I smile. “Let’s go catch some waves, shall we?”
He laughs. “Maybe some small waves, since we have the two boys. I don’t think you want to leave Parker out here with Keira watching him.”
Nope, definitely not.
“Small waves it is.”
*****
Giselle
That night, Tane and I are in bed, my head on his chest. “Tane?”
“Yes?” he replies.
“Do you remember when you were sixteen and went on a date with Claire?” I ask.
He chuckles. “You still remember her name?”
I frown into the darkness. “Of course I do. She had her skinny arms all over you.”
“You were fourteen …”
“So? I remember you and Gage bringing her and her friend to the house when Mum and Dad weren’t home. I was so jealous—I was actually considering punching her in the face.”
“Well, I’m glad you didn’t,” he says, sounding amused. “I was just a stupid horny kid back then.”
“So you’re admitting something happened that night?” I ask, my voice raising.
He clears his throat. “Are you going to get mad over something I did when I was sixteen?”
Yes. No. Maybe.
“That means yes,” I mutter.
“Babe, you were young. And so was I,” he says softly. “I wasn’t thinking about how years from now, the woman I love would be busting my balls over it. All I was thinking about were boobs and ass.”
I can’t help it. I laugh.
“So she let you touch her boobs then huh?”
He makes a non-committal noise, which I take as “more than that.”
“See, I should have punched her,” I grate out.
“She kinda went down on me that night,” he admits, holding me close so I can’t move away. I elbow him in the stomach. “Ouch! I was just trying to be honest.”