Page 141 of All This Time

“How did last night go?” she asks once the door shuts behind us. We didn’t exactly do much talking when I got to her house last night, and Laney kicked me out early this morning before anyone could see me leaving.

“It was fine. Elliot is convinced that my good mood is because I got laid, though.”

Laney snorts, crossing her arms over her chest, although it does nothing to conceal her pebbled nipples beneath the silk. “Well, he’s not wrong. You definitely have a pep in your step that wasn’t there when you arrived.”

“That’s because your pussy is magical.”

“Dear lord. Please don’t ever say that again.”

I reach up and tuck her hair behind her ear. “It’s true though.” My eyes scour her face, memorizing every line, freckle, and curve as if I’m seeing them for the first time, when the reality is I’ve looked atthis woman’s face for countless hours over my lifetime and yet, I don’t think it will ever be long enough. “God, you’re beautiful.”

“I look like a troll,” she argues as I press my finger to her lips, silencing her.

“You look gorgeous. No makeup, hair a little messy, glowing skin.”

Her smile is soft. “Thank you.”

“I love seeing you like this, almost as much as I love seeing you freshly fucked.”

Rolling her eyes, she plants her hands on her hips. “You had to go there, huh?”

“Come on. You can admit my dick’s a little magical too. It’s okay. I won’t tell anyone.”

Laughing, she shoves at my chest playfully, but I hold her hand there before she can steal it away. “Fletcher.”

“I can’t wait to see you tomorrow. I’m going to miss you tonight.”

“Me too.”

“After tomorrow, there will be no more hiding, okay? I promise.”

“Okay.”

My eyes dip down to her lips. “Fuck, I wish I could kiss you right now.”

She takes her hand back. “Soon.”

“Enjoy the rest of your day,” I tell her, shoving my hands in my pockets so I’m not tempted to reach out and smash my lips to hers.

“I will. Thank you again, Fletcher. You sure know how to make a girl feel special.”

“Youarespecial, Laney,” I say as I reach for the door to hold it open for her. “You have no fucking clue.”

She blows me a kiss as I let the door close behind her.

“Fuck,” I mutter to myself, adjusting my hat on my head before turning to head back to my truck. I don’t get very far before I hear a voice that stops me in my tracks.

“You’re an idiot.”

Turning to face him, I prepare myself for the impending argument I know is coming, widening my stance while crossing my arms over my chest. “Nice to see you too, Dad.”

“I saw the way you looked at the Hart girl. Do you think she actually wants you?”

“Her name is Laney, and that’s none of your concern.” My pulse picks up as I take him in. He must be recovering from a bender. Anyone else would look at him and think he’s fine, but I know the signs—bags under his eyes, an unshaven jaw, and wrinkled clothes. These are all things that he’s good at covering up when he hasn’t been drinking for almost twenty-four hours straight.

“All women see when they look at us are dollar signs, Fletcher. That’s all your mom saw, and then she trapped me by getting pregnant.”

“First of all, Laney isn’t Mom. And second of all, what dollar signs are you referring to? Because the last time I checked, you’re broke and asking your son for money.”