Page 23 of Tangled Desires

“I like my present from years ago wrapped around you.” He gets lost in thought. I continue playing with Shadow, allowing him to have a moment to himself. It’s not until he climbs in beside me, wrapping his arm behind my back, and pulling me into the comfort of his body, that I reply.

“I like it, too. Is everything okay?”

“Yeah. Briar has a dance recital this week. We’re invited. Trent wanted to make sure I didn’t have anything going on since they always start at five o’clock. I told him we’d be there. Afterwards, they’re having dinner at their place. Our group has gotten too big to even think about having a dinner out unless we reserve a room, and doing it this way, the kids can play until they fall asleep, and the adults can talk.” Jagger’s finger drags along my neck where the chain sits.

“Okay, is there anything we can bring?” I ask, unsure how we’ll be able to keep it cold or hot while we’re watching Briar’s performance. I’d have much rather reacquainted myself with the guys and formally met everyone before attending a function where others will be around, but there’s no way I’ll tell Jagger no. Especially when he already told Trent I’d be there.

“Nah, they’re catering everything. Usually, we’d all pitch in, but with this happening in the middle of the week, it’s easier to order from Briar’s favorite place. I hope you like pasta, breadsticks, and salad. And I’m sure there will be sweets. Briar has a sweet tooth that can’t be denied. Cake, ice cream, candy, it doesn’t matter as long as it’s full of sugar.” I make a mental note to pick something up along those lines for after her dance. I’m certain an almost eight-year-oldmight like flowers, but if she has a sweet tooth, she’ll appreciate that more.

“I think I can hold my own with that type of food. I’m not a picky eater, Jagger.” We ate pizza in bed the night before and breakfast yesterday. Both of us skipped lunch since we gorged on our food earlier, and last night, Jagger cooked for me yet again. This time, he fired up the grill before he made us drinks, him a bottle of beer and me having the same. I’d have preferred a crisp white wine, but it’s not like he would have known that or been prepared. While he took care of the meat and veggies, zucchini and squash, I went through his pantry and found the last of our meal: rice. A quick and easy side which made it nice I didn’t have to spend all my time inside and could instead enjoy the back patio. Jagger’s pool and deck are massive, and the stone from the front façade is carried throughout.

I made a mental note to bring my bathing suit the next time I came over in order to enjoy the water. Although I’m more than sure Jagger would be alright if I stripped out of my clothes and dove in naked, and he would more than likely join me.

“I’m only warning you because the place she loves is hit or miss. Hopefully, it’s decent. I’ve got one more bit of news I’d like to hit you with.” I arch my neck to look up at him.

“Alright, give it to me.” Shadow moves from my chest to Jagger’s, curling up on him, doing that cute thing with her paws where she stretches them in and out before settling into him.

“You’re not going to like this, especially after you just goteverything set up. So, here goes. I think you should stay here with me until the rest of the house is finished.” I wrinkle my nose. Jagger chuckles; he already knows I’m going to give him a run for his money. “Yes, I’m asking because I selfishly want you here, and while I’d love nothing else than to stay with you at your place, I’ve got Shadow, and you have to admit, you slept last night.”

Why does he have to make perfectly good sense? Plus, I had to hit the laundromat before I moved into my bedroom, and while I’m not above it, it’s a pain in the ass. There’s also no kitchen, which means eating out or pre-packaged food at the very least, a very unappealing thought. Eleanor and Troy would probably help me out, but I don’t want to be a burden to them, either.

“I can’t believe I’m giving in this easily. You promise once the house is finished, we can go back and forth?” I’ll never get rid of my house, and while the thought of not living inside the walls of my own home sucks, living without Jagger will suck worse. In a different world, we’d have children, maybe hand it down to them one day, except I told Jagger I didn’t want them. A decision I’ve found myself waffling on in the last twenty-four hours and can only assume will get worse when I see him around Briar and Sebastian this week.

“I promise.” He sticks his pinky finger out, I place mine alongside his, Jagger wraps it up entirely, and then holds mine with it.

“I love you, Jagger.”

“I love you, too, Lyric. Now, what do you say we make some breakfast, then head to your place, grab some clothes,and come back here?” I don’t respond. Instead, I tilt my head up, and he meets me more than halfway, sealing our plans with a kiss. One that’s deep, tongues sweeping against each other, eyes closing, and him growling into my mouth as he cups the back of my head.

18

LYRIC

“Yes, that’s what he thought.” I’m on the phone with Naomi the next day after taking Shadow to the vet. Jagger’s cat has been cleared with a clean bill of health, received vaccinations, and will be getting fixed at the next appointment. I also found out that she does not like a cat carrier and squalled the entire way to and from the veterinarian’s appointment.

“Ma cherié, I wish I were a fly on the wall when you tell your Jagger the news.” We’re on the phone for our daily check-in. Sometimes we text, but most times, it’s a phone call.

“Me too. Oh, Jagger’s home. Have fun tonight with your Mr. Bennet. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” I wiggle my eyebrows, which she obviously can’t see, except she knows me well enough to know what I’m doing. The giggling on the other end of the line says plenty.

“Have a good night, and I’ll try to refrain from all of thesethings you try to get me to do. Je’taime, ma fille.” I love it when Naomi uses the termmy daughter.

“Je’taime. Salut, on se reparle bientôt!” I reply that I love her, and we’ll talk soon.

“Oui, oui.” She clicks off, and I do the same just as Jagger walks through the door. I’ve been in the middle of whipping up something for dinner while chatting on the phone. I turn the burner down and move away from the stove to walk toward him.

“Hey, gorgeous. Something smells good.” He is already out of his boots and dropping his tablet and a set of plans on the dining room table that’s off the living room.

“Hey, it’s only Cajun chicken orzo. Did you have a good day at work?” I meet him halfway. His hands wrap around my waist, and he lifts me off my feet. My legs wrap around his waist, and he presses his forehead to mine.

“It’s notonly. You took Shadow to the vet, then came home and cooked dinner. Lyric, that’s a lot you didn’t have to do. Appreciate you a hell of a lot, and I’m showing you my gratitude when you deserve it,” Jagger says, melting more than my heart. My panties are completely saturated. I may as well not be wearing any when he’s around anyways. At least today, I was smart and put on a pair of biker shorts and an oversized shirt. I did one of those front tuck deals in order for it to not look like I am pantless in public.

“Well, I think the appreciation can go both ways. Now, kiss me, please.” He slides his nose along mine, teeth nipping at my upper lip. My tongue slides out, and he captures my mouth with his. I woke up with him this morning, completely wrapped up in his warmth. At the feel of hisarms holding me in his grasp while his cock nudged my opening, I opened my thighs without hesitation. There’s no better feeling than waking up with Jagger, and since our round of lovemaking caused him to rush out the door for work, I made sure to keep off my phone anytime I thought about sending him a text. Thankfully, he opened the line of communication, and I sent him random messages, mostly of Shadow pouting like I’m her sworn enemy.

“I have a question to ask you.” We pull back from our kiss, and I have to ask him what the vet verified today.

“Shoot.” He walks through the house with me wrapped around his body, heading into the kitchen, where I know he’ll grab a bottle of beer. When we stopped by my house yesterday to grab clothes, toiletries, and a few other things, we also stopped at the grocery store. He needed a few things, and I wanted certain things as well, including the couple of bottles of white wine that are now besides his preferred beer.

“Why did you think Shadow is a girl?” My ass meets the counter, and Jagger does exactly what I expect.

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