Page 60 of Manhattan Heart

And I’m not hating it. We each get a contact high from their seductive argument.

With a swift move of his arms that none of us see, he has Catie up off the loveseat and flung over his shoulder, smacking a hand on her ass.

Gabby giggles. At least her murderous streak has ended.

He then turns to us. “Ladies, I’m taking my brat home. If you don’t see her for a few days, don’t worry.”

And then he strides through the great hallway.

We hear. “Ronan! You’ve been taking secret calls all week!”

“So that means I’m cheating? Cheating onmy wife, for fucks sake?” Another smack. Catie moans. I would have too. This whole scene is sexy as hell. “I was arranging a family vacation to Cancún with your parents and getting my clan over for next month, you little brat. I can’t even have a surprise for you without you ruining it with this shite.”

“Oh.” Catie exclaims, then her upside down face beams. “Aww, Ronan.”

“Yeah. You ginger brat. You’re in for it when I get you home.”

Catie’s radiating happiness now as they reach the front door. “Baby, I love you.”

Right before they exited, we hear him tell her. “You can tell me how sorry you are when I put you on your knees.”

“Wow. So I guess Catie’s going to be busy then,” Sena exclaims. “I feel like I need to call Noah home for a romantic afternoon nap.” She blows out air.

Gabby throws herself back on the couch and sighs dramatically. “Fucking hell, I need a man to put me in my place so badly.”

I have one of those at home, more than willing and I daren’t unzip his pants.

Marriages are funny things.

We all have them, save for sexless Gabby, and they’re all different but all consuming at the same time.

Date night with Gray later that day is one of the best nights we’ve had together in a while.

We eat at a sushi restaurant then take a slow walk around SoHo holding hands.

I love seeing him feeling his old self again.

He’s charming and fun and funny and chivalry is made for a man like Gray.

We do not have sex by the time we climb into bed.

Though the fires banked bright in his eyes are hot enough to set my hair ablaze.

I curl into his right side, my leg over his, trying to ignore his raging hardness reaching up towards his belly button after our epic make out session.

This sex ban is not good for my health, I decide, falling into a fitful sleep.

* * *

“Are you…cooking? On the actual stove? With pots and pans?” I hear coming from behind me.

The sauce is bubbling…doesn’t smell like it’s burning. Mom said to continuously watch it.

I turn to give Gray a pithy glance over my shoulder.

While his eyes are streaking down my form in the cut off denim shorts and floaty tank top.

He comes up behind me, kisses my head.

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