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She sucked in a quick breath, but I shifted away before she could kiss me back. “Oh…zing,” she whispered.
“Zing?” I repeated, wondering if it meant the same to her as it did to me and Rhett.
“Yeah.” She rubbed her lips together as though hoping to still sense mine. “Zing…like yes, please. More, please. ‘Felt that all the way in my toes’ type of kiss.”
Same…definitely same.
“So, not too soon?” I murmured while reaching up to tuck wayward hair behind her cute, rounded ear, my insides a torturous, delicious mess.
“No.” She swallowed hard as a tremor rippled through her. “I—I like kisses. Hugs. Affection is definitely my love language but also gifts like that beautiful rose. I soak up words of edification too. They say that what you need is what you give, but that’s not true. I love acts of servitude…”
Her sweet rambling faded, and the sense of rightness rained down over me, comforting me in ways only Rhett had ever been able to do. Deep yearning for him to be there with us slammed into me, and I stepped back, clearing my throat.
“What’s wrong?” Skylar asked, reaching to grasp my elbow before I could pull farther away. “Was it something I said?” Her hand slid down my forearm and held tight as though she was afraid I would walk off without a backward glance.
“I wish Rhett was here.” I went with honesty. I’d told her all about my partner, the years we’d been together, how he was my rock, the love of my life.
“I do too,” she agreed, “but I’m kind of happy to have you all to myself for this first meeting. Being faced with one gorgeous man is nerve-wracking enough. Just look—” she stuck out her foot, checking it over “—even my feet are shaking! I couldn’t imagine having you both at once.”
I bit back my smirk but couldn’t keep an eyebrow from rising.
“Oh!” She squeaked, her face flushing again as she put her foot down and met my gaze. “You’re bad.”
A barked laugh burst from my lips.
“Stop it!” She pulled her fingers from mine and set her hands on her hips even though her green eyes sparkled with mischief and delight. “I’m semi-innocent but not that naive. I know exactly where I’ll end up if things go in my favor.”
“In our bed.” I’d decided to continue with honesty—no games. She swallowed audibly, her smile fading, and I grabbed her hand once more. “Are you more nervous about making a polyamorous relationship work or the physical aspects of a threesome?”
“Um…both?” She bit her lower lip again, her focus flitting to the crockpot behind her.
“Why don’t we sit down and enjoy dinner. We can chat about expectations—if you’re still interested in seeing where this goes.”
“I am. Yes. Let’s.” Skylar burst into action again, flitting about the kitchen like a hummingbird, retrieving glasses and a corkscrew. I took both and poured us some wine while she dished up the meal.
For a moment, comfortable silence kept us company while we worked alongside one another in the kitchen. Grinning with how much the feeling reminded me of cooking with Rhett, I allowed my hope to grow, sure that nothing would hinder forward progress.
11
Skylar
Ashton Blackwood was sex on a stick.
At least that was my initial thought seeing as how I’d read that very metaphor for the first time earlier in the morning about my latest book boyfriend.
Tall, sun-kissed brown locks and handsome as anything…wide shoulders and a trim waist…he wore his green button-down and black slacks better than any mannequin I’d ever seen.
And his eyes.
Oh, those beautiful, hazel-green orbs that appeared deep as an ocean yet clear as the summer sky. His had a kind face, and how he leaned in while listening as though fully intent on my every word fluttered silliness in my belly.
He’d pulled in front of Nora’s house with his fancy car, his shiny dress shoes and flashy watch suggesting he lived better than where I’d grown up on the farm.
Clean-shaven, wavy hair artfully styled, straight white teeth…
And a dimple in his left cheek.
A dimple.