Page 101 of Nothing to This

“And never go away again,” Kye said.“Never.Never.”

Fearless.Her kids were sure and not afraid to say it.Both went back to their food like their worlds weren’t on such fragile foundations.Truthfully, they ate better when a conversation with their father was the prize at the other end.

JD was a good influence on them, no doubt about that.Would she disrupt that if she gave into her feelings for him?If they got to the stage JD couldn’t stand the sight of her, or the sound of her voice, the happy setup couldn’t continue.

But they were mature adults, right?Surely they could see past their feelings for the sake of the children if need be.Their babies had just told her what they wanted; did she want the same thing?

***

Checking on the kids was part of her routine.Each night, the little ones took turns to have their father in their rooms with them until they fell asleep.

Her dark phone still sat on Kye’s pillow next to his little slumbering head.She leaned over to get it while admiring his peace.

Beautiful.Perfect.She kissed his head.

“When do I get to watch you sleep?”

JD’s gruff voice startled her a little.Usually she just hung up, if he hadn’t already.

“Shh,” she whispered and rushed into the hallway, holding the phone to her chest.“If you wake him, I’ll have to take him into my bed.”

“What a life, jealous of my own son.”

An exhale of a laugh lingered in her voice.“JD…”

“You’ve been avoiding me.”

“I have not.”She went into her room and closed the door.“Okay, I have.”

What was the point of lying?

“Because…”

“JD,” she sighed again and went to sit on the bed, leaning against the headboard, phone face down next to her.“Because I don’t think straight when we’re together.When you’re… in me.”

“That’s a whole other conversation.One I’m happy to have when you lose the clothes.”

“You know, this is exactly what I’m talking about.”Her smile was irrepressible.“I hear your voice and feel you close and… I don’t know what the hell’s going on anymore.”

“I wouldn’t know either.The office, the kids, those are the only things we talk about.Is this your decision?Are you pulling away?”

“The office and the kids are safe subjects.The cogs are turning, JD.I’m looking after your empire and the future of it.Lilya stuck around to help with some of the executive stuff at Duo.”Which he already knew.“She left on Friday.She’s an amazing woman.”

“I had dinner with them last night.”

“Lilya and Kintyre?”

“And a few others,” he said.“This feels like we’re talking about work again.”

“Work makes sense.There’s a formula to it.An end goal.”

“And there’s no end goal with us?”

“What is it you want to talk about, JD?”Irritation tickled her offense.“You want phone sex and naked pictures and—”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa.I said slow, didn’t I?I said we were going to do this right.”

“And you’re rushing me.”