Page 110 of Splintered Hearts

“Like to taste it, I’m sure.”

“It doesn’t taste great, I’ll be honest. I love to look at it. It makes your lips look so good.”

“How do you feel about lingerie?”

That makes him frown. “Where is this coming from?”

“I guess I’m just curious.”About how you feel about me.

“I don’t give a shit about strict gender bullshit if that’s what you’re wondering. If you’re fishing for a compliment about how fucking incredible your ass looks in a thong... Fine, I may need to see a firsthand account to freshen my memory if you want me to give you an honest opinion about it.

I laugh. “So noble.” But I play along, turning and thumbing the waistband of my shorts, pulling it under my ass to show off the red lacy thong I’d slipped into.

“Fuck.” Jamie shakes his head as I right my shorts. “Fucking perfection. If I was in better shape I’d rip it with my teeth.”

My smile widens, then splits across my face. I’m not sure why I wanted Jamie to give me my flowers, but it feels good. So many guys act as though they like me only to disappoint me or keep me a secret.

Setting the cheese block down, he turns to me, grabbing my chin and tilting it up to look at him. “I like the way you look. I like the way you behave, and I love it when you don’t.” Heat turns his eyes molten. “The clothes, the makeup, your sassy fucking attitude, your wicked mouth and the words that spill out of it. I like everything about you, Noah.” Jamie’s eyes flick to the lips inquestion. “Can I kiss you? Just one?”

“You’re supposed to be behaving.”

“Just one. That’s all I want.”

How can I say no?

He kisses me slowly, just the way I like. Careful not to tug him to me like I want to, I cup his face, moaning against his lips before his tongue slips inside my mouth. Cool metal runs against my tongue. I don’t want this to end. Ever.

Jamie tries to pull away but I don’t let him, kissing his lips before he begins to laugh. “Okay, okay, easy killer. Don’t distract me.” I relent, placing a final kiss on the bridge of his nose, then his forehead.

“Point taken.” Jamie kisses the top of my head. Fuck, this is all too domestic and normal and wonderful.

“I don’t give a shit about what you wear as long as you’re happy.”

“No toxic masculinity.”

“Homophobic people are weirdos.”

“What do you mean?” I mean, I agree, but I need to hear this.

“Being that involved in a stranger’s relationship? It makes zero sense. It’s like an obsession. It’s weird. Who honestly thinks about someone else’s sex life that much? Who makes legislation based on someone else’s romantic life like that? It has nothing to do with them, yet they’re obsessed with it. It’s weird. Racists, misogynists, bigots of all shapes and sizes. They’re weird and creepy. Maybe if you could make your own wife happy once in a while, Ronald, you wouldn’t be so worried about what Juan and Dexter are doing in their happy home.” Jamie puts the cheese into a large mixing bowl. Throwing the shells into the boiling salted water, he reaches above me to grab two jars of sauce.

“Very good point.”

“Don’t tell my mother I didn’t make the sauce from scratch. She’ll have my ass then say I was trying to poison Xavi. Onething you need to learn if you’re going to be around us is that Xavi is baby—Lia’s pride and joy.”

“He’s the favorite.” I laugh.

“She’ll never admit it, but yes. Just promise.”

“I . . . promise.”

“No, you need to make a pinky promise.” He raises his pinky and I laugh at how serious he is. “She’s never laid a hand on me but I swear she will make me see lights.” Laughing, I entwine my pinky with his. “That’s a binding contract.”

“Man, I should have negotiated.”

“Can’t. Locked in now. It’s already signed and on the record.”

“What’s the fine if I break it?”

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