He sighs, deeply regretting it, I think, and then leans forward to press a long kiss to my mouth. Before I know it, though, he’s gone – through the curtain and back to the couch. I take a long moment to collect myself, knowing I need a shower, knowing that I’ve got to get these pajamas tucked away
“Nah,” he says, grimacing and starting to back out of the door, “I’m totally early –“ “Jacks!” I laugh, darting over to him and grabbing his arm, tugging him into the room. “Everyone will be here in like, thirty seconds. Just come and sit down – or, better yet, make yourself useful –“ I drag him
“Take him under your wing a bit, okay, Ben? I want Jackson to have fun, and you’re nicer than the rest.” “Aye aye, Princess Captain,” Ben says happily, giving me a little salute before moving to Jackson’s side to say a real hello. I sigh with contentment as the fire catches on the little bit of
I usher Daphne into the room then, where she’s warmly greeted first by Rafe, who presses a brotherly kiss to her cheek – making her blush – and then by Jesse, who kisses her hand like a Duchess, making her laugh. “Hi,” Luca says, stepping forward with his hand out, his dimples on full display as h
I turn to Luca then, a little swell of pleasure running through me to see his lips starting to curl into a smile on one side. “Do you like boxing, Jackson?” “Of course,” Jackson says, his eyebrows going up like it’s obvious. “Why didn’t you say anything before?” Luca’s curiosity has a hint of su
I study Ben for a long moment, really paying attention to him for the first time in a long time. At my side, I can feel Daphne do the same. And as I watch I notice… Well, I notice the way that he looks at Rafe. The way that he tilts his head back to look up at my brother, the way he laughs at Rafe
Daphne grins. “Sorry to break it to you, your Grace, but don’t bother killing your cousin thinking that would fix anything. I’m not even sure you’d be my second choice.” Jesse gapes at her and then glances over at the group of men. He gasps then, turning back, “McClintock!?” Daphne grimaces and
“I just don’t know a lot of girls,” he murmurs, his voice so low I can barely hear it. “Really?” I ask, frowning at him. “Did you go to like, an all-boys school or something? Don’t you have any girls in your family?” Jackson turns to me for a second, studying my face like I’ve said something a l