Page 14 of Sexting His Son's Ex
She’s fucking beautiful.
What was my son thinking?
“—I am so sorry. I don’t usually miss orders. I’ll do a discount and?—”
I take a step forward and the only thing standing in the way between us is this damn desk. I stretch my hand across the table and place it on top of hers to stop Jovie from stressing herself out.
Her hand is so soft under mine.
I shouldn’t notice that.
I do something I shouldn’t. I brush my thumb across her knuckles before pulling my hand away. I don’t miss the spark of electricity or the way my heart picks up its pace.
She’s exquisite.
“I didn’t have an order,” I state, tucking my hands in my pockets to stop myself from reaching out.
Her shoulders sag with relief and her smile somehow brightens the freckles dashed across her nose. A slight blush takes over her cheeks and Jovie licks her lips.
“Thank goodness. I’m usually so on top of orders. That would have been unlike me. How can I help you, then?” Her eyes nearly match the color of her hair. They are a very bright reddish golden brown and I’m captivated.
I wonder how beautiful it would be fanned across my pillow.
“I’m only here to see how you’re doing, Jovie.”
She opens her mouth and closes it, her brows pulling together in confusion.
“Let me rephrase. Luca told me everything that happened. I’m here to see how you are. I apologize for my son. He was an idiot. He wasn’t raised that way.”
“You two don’t share the same belief?”
I lock our gazes and deepen my voice. “I am a one-woman kind of man, Jovie. I was faithful to my wife until her dying day.”
Jovie looks away, wringing her hands together. “Luca told me. I am so sorry for your loss. I’m sure that was devastating.”
“It was. It’s been a while now. She’s missed every single day, but I wasn’t there for Luca in my grief like I was supposed to be.”
“Don’t blame yourself. You did the best you could given the horrible circumstances.”
I lean against the desk, needing to be closer to her somehow. Needing to breathe her air, needing to hear her voice better, needing to see if I can smell her perfume. Anything. I need the thought of her to last until I see her again and it’s probably best for both of us if that was never.
“How are you?” I change the subject, not wanting to talk about me or Luca. “I know you must be in pain.”
Jovie sighs, walking over to the fridge where she keeps the flowers and pulls out a few beautiful orchids. “I’m fine, really. I’m better than I expected to be. I wasn’t surprised. I knew something was going on. A woman always knows.”
“I know he was devastated after what he did. Would you ever get back together with him?”
She shakes her head. “No, and I already said this to him when he stopped by the other day. He asked and I listened, but thetrust isn’t there and if I’m honest with myself, it never was. Luca is very handsome. He attracts attention everywhere we go. I still don’t understand how he can get any table at any restaurant with no notice.”
Ah, so she doesn’t know about us. It’s only a matter of time before she finds out the truth. I’m surprised she hasn’t pieced anything together with whispers on the street. Whispers I can deal with.
It’s if she ever finds out the truth of any of our dealings.
“I’m afraid that runs in the family,” I tease, then clarify so I don’t sound conceited. “The being able to get into any restaurant, not the looks.” I swallow, needing to coat my dry throat. Heat fills my face and I’m trying to remember what I could possibly be feeling.
I’m embarrassed. And I do not ever get embarrassed.
“I don’t know,” she says thoughtfully. “He got his looks from somewhere. I would say it runs in the family.” She rolls her lips together and focuses on her bouquet, pretending to busy herself.
