Page 81 of Dignity

It’s almost eleven when we roll up to my townhouse. I didn’t realize how relived I’d feel to see Chris’ SUV sitting parked there until I visualized it.

I’m not all the way up the walk when the front door opens and there stands the man himself.

Hecloses the door behind me. “Well?”

I remove my overcoat and hang it in the closet. “All of DC will be buzzing by morning.”

“Excellent.” He snags my tie and heads toward the stairs.

I have no choice but to follow.

I actually get fucked injustthe tie. Chris had too much fun taking the rest of my clothes off me, edging me, spanking my ass, and making me beg to leave me in any more than that.

After cleaning up, we sprawl in my bed and I realize he distracted me before I could ask. “How was dinner with Lauren?”

“You know she’s stillinlove with you, right?”

There’s no teasing, no playful lightness to his words.

Or mine. “I know.” It’s a crushing guilt I bear. “Did she say that?”

“She didn’t have to.” He rolls onto his side, his head propped up on one hand, his other resting inthe center of my chest, fingers splayed, like he’s feeling my heartbeat. It’s something he’s done a lot since our reunion. “Forget what I said about taking it out of your ass when you tell her you love her.” He meets my gaze. “I’m not going to be a dick about this. I trust you. You’re her best friend.”

I unsuccessfully blink back the prickle of tears. “She’s mine.”

The fingers on my chest brushgentle circles over my heart. “She offered to help with the packing. I invited her over tomorrow to help, told her we’d feed her.”

“Well, we feed her, now we’llneverget rid of her,” I drawl, trying to lighten the mood.

The edges of his lips give the tiniest upward shift, but the somber tone remains. “Even more reason for us not to tell her about us. Maybe…maybe later, once she knows me better.We can blame it all on me when we do. I’ll take that hit. But the plan is best served by not revealing that at this time.”

I lace fingers with him and gently squeeze. “I’m sorry I got mouthy earlier. I get why you want me to keep it quiet with others.”

“Do you now?”

I tell him, and he nods. “That was a consideration of mine, yes.”

This feels too damnedheavyright now. I go for full-on smartassteasing. “So how flirty did she get with you? A glass or two of while, she’ll be giggling all over you.”

His gaze shifts to our hands, where he squeezes mine. “She spent the entire dinner talking aboutyou,” he quietly says. “I don’t even think she realized it.”

I lie there still thinking about that long after he’s already fallen asleep.