Page 9 of Charm

“I’m pretty sure you’re quoting the birthday card I gave you last year. I thought it was perfect since you’re getting grayer by the day. The bad being the gray. The good being… hell, I don’t know, with age comes wisdom, so the good is wisdom.”

That’s enough bullshit nonsense to force a question out of me. “When’s the last time you slept?”

“I sleep,” he insists. “I fall asleep fine, but wake up in the middle of the night with a million thoughts racing through my mind. All I want is to be a good father to my son.”

His son.

Gilbert Stetson Wells is due to arrive in just a few short weeks. I’m already madly in love with the kid. The pile of gifts I have at my apartment in Manhattan is proof of that.

“You’re going to be a great father,” I tell him what I truly believe. “Don’t doubt yourself, Declan. You’re one of the best men I know, and you’ve read a hell of a lot of books about babies. You could teach a class.”

He chuckles. I sense some of the weight is being lifted off his shoulders. “Maybe by the time you have a kid, I’ll be in a position to teach you the basics of being a dad.”

I want that, but I’ve yet to admit it to anyone other than myself. Having a child is the brass ring for me. Even though my marriage ended in a bitter divorce, it hasn’t soured me to the idea of taking the plunge again and starting a family.

I’m not in any rush, but it’s something I see on the horizon.

“I’m going to try and sleep,” he says through another yawn. “What about you? Are you hitting the hay soon?”

“Not yet.” I shake my head as I watch him rub a hand over his jaw. “I’m going for a swim right away.”

“Of course, you are.” He laughs. “You’re in East Hampton with a heated pool at your disposal. Why wouldn’t you swim as much as you can?”

I don’t bother mentioning my pool is out of commission, or that I plan on swimming with a beautiful woman.

“Are you free for lunch on Monday?” he questions, his gaze shifting to something beyond his phone.

“Are you asking me that or your beautiful wife?”

His lips split into a smile. “I hear Abby stirring in our bedroom, so I’m off to check on her. You and I are having lunch on Monday. Bring your credit card.”

Before I can say anything, he ends the call.

“Bastard,” I whisper as I drop my phone next to me. “It’s his turn to buy lunch.”

I push up to my feet and head toward the primary bedroom. I need to put on a pair of board shorts and grab a couple of condoms to tuck into one of the pockets. Then, I’ll visit the private wine cellar in the basement to choose a bottle of red that my grandparents stocked there.

They saved hundreds of bottles of the best vintages for special occasions. My midnight swim with the neighbor falls into that category because I sense tonight is going to be one for the record books.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Greer

I didn’t havea lot to choose from when it came to bikinis. I only brought three with me because that’s all I own.

The one I finally decided on is red and fits like a second skin. The thin strings that hold the top up are tied tightly at the base of my neck and not as tightly behind my back. The strings on the sides of the bikini bottoms are secured in loosely knotted bows.

I don’t want Joe to struggle getting me out of it.

I laugh to myself as I gather up two towels and head toward the main living area. I’ve imagined everything that will happen tonight, right down to him removing my bikini.

In my mind’s eye, it’s a slow pull on the strings to reveal everything that’s underneath the material. For all I know, Joe will want me so desperately that he’ll rip the suit from my body.

The laugh shifts into a soft smile on my lips.

I should be nervous, but all I’m feeling is excitement. It’s been a while since I’ve slept with a man, but this feels right.

It’ll be a fun adventure, and I’ll leave East Hampton feeling satisfied and relaxed.