Page 38 of Hungry Hearts

Scratch that. I do care if she lives in a tin can. At lunch, she said she was out of my league because of my financial status, which is bullshit. Having a fat bank account doesn’t make anyone better, and living paycheck to paycheck doesn’t make someone undeserving of love.

Not that it’s love between us. Explosive chemistry and fucking hot sex, yeah. We’re toeing the line to friends now too. No. Not toeing. We’re there. I like her. Really, really like her.

Spending the afternoon with her was something new for me. I’ve had brunch dates before, usually following a super late night of sex and no sleep. Being the gentleman I am, I feed the woman I’ve fucked. It’s rare, though, since I don’t make a habit of sleepovers. If and when it happens, I do right by her, then go on my merry way with a polite goodbye kiss to the cheek and no promises of a repeat.

The women I spend time with know and expect that, not that there isn’t the occasional hookup who hounds me for something more. Because hounding is how it feels. I’m a ladies’ man and am not ashamed to flaunt it.

At least, I wasn’t ashamed. Maia has my priorities shifting. Not a complete one-eighty. I’m not saying I’m ready to be tied down in a relationship, but for the first time in maybe forever, I’m toying with the idea.

It’s only been two hours since I dropped Maia off and I already miss her. Miss her laugh, miss our weird conversations; not knowing what track they’re going to take. Miss kissing her. Miss holding her hand. Miss having my cock deep inside her.

Picking up my phone, I open our last text thread from this morning. My fingers hover over the keypad. I want her to know I’m thinking about her, and not only sexually. The guys are right. I do come off too strong, too forward, and have no filter. From what I can tell, it doesn’t bother Maia, but she’s the kind of woman who should be treated like a lady. Someone to hold hands with and walk with in the park, or through Boston, taking in all the sights.

“Well, shit.” I drop to my couch and cover my face with my arm. Now I get it. I get what Doc, Sealy, and Trey have been talking about.

I’m freaking whipped. And it’s not pussy whipped. Damn, saying it like that makes me wince. It’s degrading. I’m an asshole.

Sex is easy. Finding someone you can be yourself around, laugh with, that you can chill and watch movies with and not even have to talk? Yeah. That’s gold.

And when thinking about that woman, being with that woman, makes your heart beat like a fucking hummingbird poking at your chest?

Yeah. That’s priceless.

Wanting her to know I’m thinking about her, I send her a quick text.

ME:Thank you for spending the day with me. I know your schedule is busy. Maybe next time we’ll even go for that walk.

I hit send, proud of myself. It wasn’t a dirty message and I let her know I wanted to see her again, and not necessarily to only do sinful things to her body. I take a shower and head to the restaurant for another long night of work.

If I can’t be with Maia, I might as well go to my happy place. Well, now it’s my second favorite happy place. My new favorite is between Maia’s legs.

The kitchen and restaurant are a bustling flurry of people, food, smells, and sounds. I love the adrenaline rush and making my rounds with the diners. I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished in such a short amount of time.

Guess I am growing up.

The next morning is our regularly scheduled team meeting with the four aces in Drake’s office. This time, I’m not an hour early. Trey is on donut and coffee duty, and it doesn’t surprise me that there are already two donuts missing from the dozen when he drops the box in the middle of the table.

The man’s sweet tooth is ridiculous.

“How’s Nora feeling?” Sealy asks Drake as he takes a seat across from me.

Drake lights up like a freaking Christmas tree. “She finally stopped throwing up.”

“Dude.” Trey shakes his head in disgust, but it doesn’t stop him from destroying another donut.

“Morning sickness has kicked her ass for four months, but she’s getting better. We have an ultrasound appointment this afternoon and will get to see the baby again.”

“Aw, look at you. Such a proud papa. You and Aves are next.” I tip my chin at Nolan.

“We’ve been practicing a lot.” He grins and glances toward Trey, knowing how much it pisses his brother-in-law to hear details about their sex life.

“Fuck off, Noles.”

“There are some positions that give you a better chance at getting pregnant. Want to hear them?” Drake asks. He’s not usually the one to stir the pot but being a husband and soon-to-be father has loosened him up a bit. Something I love even more about him.

“Do tell,” I add, just to piss Trey off.

“You looking to knock someone up?” Trey asks, smartly shifting the attention to me. The bastard is good.

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