Page 119 of Can't Get Enough

When my father asked if I would have reconsidered having kids if Hendrix wanted that, I realized I probably would. And that shook me because I’m not the kind of man who redraws my lines. My convictions,beliefs, the things I decide are right for me, are usually carved in wood, not drawn in sand. So discovering that the thing which ended my relationship with Zere is negotiable with Hendrix… I’m still processing what that means. Whatshemeans to me.

“Hey.” Hendrix cups my cheek and presses her nose to mine. “Where’d you go? Why so quiet?”

“I’ve been having a debate with myself,” I say, kissing her lightly. “Maybe you can help me.”

“What’s the debate?”

“I’m trying to decide my favorite thing about you.” I run a thumb over her lips. “Is it your mouth? I mean, for obvious reasons. But then I think it might be the curve of your neck. It looks so smooth. Or maybe your laugh, though that’s hard to pin down. Sometimes it booms, announces itself to everyone in the room. I think I prefer the low, sly one that keeps a secret.”

“You are such a sweet talker,” she says, rolling her eyes, but can’t stop that smile.

I press our lips together lightly at first, but the kiss deepens, intensifies until we’re exploring each other’s bodies one-handed, both gripping a wine glass in the other. Elixir kisses laced with stardust. My hand is up her skirt and in her underwear, seeking out her wet heat, and she is grinding on three of my fingers.

“Mmmm,” she mumbles into the kiss, pulling back and breathing hard. “I’m sure this boat doesn’t drive itself. Is there someone we’re giving a show for free?”

I laugh and nod, slowly withdrawing my fingers and leaving a damp trail down the inside of her thigh.

“You’re right. There’s like a crew of thirteen somewhere.”

She glances around the deck of the yacht. “Surely this place has a bed.”

“It does indeed. Not to mention a sundeck, swimming pool, sauna, jacuzzi, and a helipad.”

“And a chef somewhere. Dinner was delicious, by the way. Thank you.”

“Glad you enjoyed. Thought I’d give Laurenz the night off.”

“It’s been the perfect last night.” Her face falls. “I’ll miss your father and Laurenz.”

“That’s all?” I tease, gathering her closer, pressing the length of our bodies together.

“Of course not. I’ll miss your twenty-four-karat gold sheets and your ocean and your yacht.” She leans forward and nibbles at my bottom lip. “And you a little. Thank you for making my last night here so special.”

“It’s not over yet.”

“I know. You mentioned a bed.” I set our glasses aside on a nearby table.

“Yes, but first,” I say, walking over to the wall and adjusting the volume so the song I’ve had on repeat can actually be heard. “We dance.”

“I thought you said you don’t dance,” she teases, hands on hips.

“I said I do under the right circumstances.” I take her in my arms as the first strains of one of jazz’s most iconic tunes floods the salt-tinged air around us. “You are all my right circumstances.”

Hendrix rests her head on my shoulder, and I sigh as the sound of the trumpet relaxes me. “What is this? I’m not a jazz girl.”

“It’s Miles Davis’s ‘Blue in Green.’ It’s one of Pop’s favorites songs. I love it, too.”

She sways against me, a soft weight and a sweet armful. “What do you like about it?”

I let the song wash over me for a few seconds, and it’s jazz, as cool as the ocean breeze.

“It was one of my mother’s favorites,” I say. “And they used to dance in the living room to it. This and ‘In a Sentimental Mood,’ or ‘It Never Entered My Mind.’ They loved jazz.”

She brushes her fingers across the nape of my neck and smiles.

“I also love the mute Miles is using on his trumpet in the beginning,” I say. “It’s this sound that could blast, could be so loud, but he restrains it, and it feels that much more powerful because he holds it back. And then Coltrane comes in with the sax, which is such a human-sounding instrument, I can almost hear the words even though it’s all music.”

“You think there are words?” She smiles at me indulgently as our bodies sway and the tiniest breeze, a breath of ocean, stirs the air.

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