Page 71 of Let's Call a Truce
He slipped the robe off my shoulders, leaving me bare. The buildings across the square were shorter, and I was confident no one could see. Instead of covering myself like I normally would have, I stayed where I was and looked over my shoulder at him.
“Did that help?”
“Best damn view in the world.” He shed his own robe, pushing his body up behind me and capturing my lips in a kiss. He slipped his hand between my legs, hissing at the wetness he found there.
He spun me around, hoisting me up as I wrapped my legs around his waist. The contrast between the cold window at my back and Ben’s warm body against my front made me shiver, and we both moaned as he pushed inside of me. My headthunked back against the glass as a swirl of sensations rushed through me.
He spun me back around, my hands braced on the pane. We enjoyed each other then, a slow and thorough exploration of each other’s bodies, looking out over the city that made Ben into the person he was, and enjoying the last few moments of our relationship with zero complications.
A little while later, we were flying toward the airport in our cab, ready, or at least forced, to face reality. “Just so we’re clear, keeping this quiet doesn’t apply to Asia, right?”
“Oh god, no! I texted her Wednesday morning when I went back to my hotel room to get ready.” We both laughed as I showed him the string of celebratory emojis and GIFs she had sent in response.
“We could also tell my parents if you are okay with it. I know they loved having all three girls this week. They may be open to watching the girls overnight every couple of weeks so we can get some time together.”
He kissed the top of my head. “I’m happy to tell anyone you want to, baby.”
We spent the rest of the trip home cuddled up, soaking up the last moments before our relationship got infinitely more complicated. We got a steady stream of texts from our friends.
Asia wanted to know how things were going between us.
Dani and Gabriela messaged back and forth about plans once I was home.
Quinn wished us safe travels.
Each text felt like another poke at our bubble. We were nearing the security exit back in Orlando when Ben tugged me to the side, tangling his hand in my hair and kissing me deeply. I melted into him, savoring how perfectly his lips molded against mine.
“What was that for?” I asked, a little breathlessly. His mischievous smile set me on fire as much as the kiss had.
“The kids are on the other side of the gate. I wanted how perfectly we fit together to be fresh in your mind when you freak out about how we’re going to make this work.”
I rolled my eyes but gave him one more long kiss before pushing off the wall.
We heard cheers and squeals when we walked through the exit. Before we could turn to the sound, we were both set uponby little heathens trying to claw their way up our bodies and wrapping themselves around us. My parents stood to the side, watching lovingly as my daughters again launched into stories about their week, and Paris stood by with a radiant smile, arms wrapped tightly around Ben.
Our eyes met over the heads of the girls, smiling brightly. We had a lot to figure out, but we were both so happy to be home.
Chapter 21
I came into my office the Monday after we got home to a massive bouquet of multicolored tulips with a note that readUntil I can give you the whole garden.He left it unsigned, thankfully, since Christina was determined to figure out who sent them to me. I waved her off, smiling behind the card as I took in my beautiful flowers.
The next weekend was Clara’s birthday party, and I was happy that she wanted Paris there, not just because she was Sophie’s friend, but because she was hers, too. It made me hopeful our families would be able to come together one day.
Organizing everything for the party was hectic, and I had never been more grateful for Ben and Asia, who showed up early to help set up. Between my friends, Clara’s friends, and their families, we were numbering close to two dozen, and I moved it to the park after getting the full list of RSVPs. Even with our big backyard, I didn’t think my house could accommodate everyone.
Clara opened her gifts, tearing through them at record speed. Jewelry-making toys, soccer jerseys, Barbie dolls, and STEM kits were strewn across the picnic table in front of her, illustrating who knew my daughter and who googled the latest hip toy for ten-year-old girls.
She grabbed a card from the table, the last present besides the ones she had from us back at home. She slipped the cardout, opened it up, and let out a dramatic squeal that would have done Sophie justice.
“What is it, sweetie?”
“Mom! Oh my gosh! I can’t believe it! I’m so excited!”
She clutched the card to her chest with tears in her eyes. I caught Ben at the edge of the group, a self-satisfied smirk on his face.
I walked over to extract the card from her, sending Ben one more curious glance before looking down. The perfect gift for my daughter was in my hands, four tickets to the season opening game of the Orlando City Soccer Club team. Tears filled my eyes, too. He was proving with every day he wanted to be a part of our lives.
Not mine, ours.
