Page 120 of Connectio

Chapter Nineteen

My eyes grow wide the same time his do.

“Shit, sweetheart.” He sits up, me astride him, and holds me tight. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to say—”

“It’s okay.” I trail my fingertips down the side of his face, following his hairline, the sorrow and remorse in his eyes more painful than his words. “It’s an easy thing to say, right?”

He buries his head in my chest. “Yes, but it’s still shitful.”

“Hey! Trust me, it won’t be the last time you say it either. Believe it or not, my mum and sister still slip up.”

“What did he say wrong?” Alexis whispers loud enough for me to hear.

I look over at her. “I can’t have children.”

“Oh!” She touches her belly. “I’m… I’m so sorry.”

“Thank you, but apologies aren’t necessary.” I stand up and brush myself off. “I’ve known for a long time.”

Holding out my hands to help Will up, which in hindsight is ridiculous, given his size compared to mine, I grin when he takes them anyway and unfurls like… well… like a giant gorilla.

“I need to get this thing off and see to my woman.”

I scoff. “I’m not your woman.”

“You are.” He reaches behind his neck, turning in a circle, frustrated when he can’t reach the zip.

“Come here, let me help you.”

“Nah, leave him in it. It’s an improvement.”

Will picks up the mask and launches it at Derek. “Chuck that on, then we’ll have improvement.”

I laugh. “Is it always like this with you guys?”

“Yes,” Alexis and Carly say, both unperturbed.

I’m glad; I kinda like it. I’ve never had a group of friends with partners before, and the playful—mind you, somewhat insulting at times—interaction is rather lovely.

Will steps out of the suit and threads his arms over mine from behind, hugging me tight. “I’m sorry,” he whispers.

Turning in his arms to face him, I skate my fingertips over his inked arm and whisper back, “I know.”

He leans down and pecks my lips. Soft. Quick. Sensual. The tenderness almost buckles my knees and takes my breath away.

“Right,” I pant, “I’m glad we sorted that out.” Patting his chest, I push back a little and turn to Alexis. “Thank you for finding the suit.”

She waggles her eyebrows at Will. “Anytime.”

“No, not ‘anytime’ One time.”

I shrug. “I don’t know… I think it should become a part of your act.”

Will’s answer is a flat “No!”

“Actually,” Derek says, looking at the mask in his hand. “I think you might be on to something.”

Bryce smirks.