Page 181 of The Baby Bargain
"Just ask."
"Chase…" She presses her palm into my lower back. "You… you're such a smart guy, but you miss so much."
"Then tell me."
"I…"
Fuck, I just have to say it. "I miss you." I brush her hair behind her ear. "I miss the smell of your shampoo. I miss the digs you take at Matt. I miss the way you gasp over action scenes. I miss the groans you make over your chai lattes."
"I don't—"
"You do. And I miss that. I miss those first few times, when I felt all of you."
"Me too."
"I really fucking miss your laugh."
Her lips curl into a half-smile. "I miss your laugh."
"I have one?"
Her smile widens. "Yeah. It makes your eyes so bright. I love that." She brings her hand to my hip. "I thought… I don't know. I know I asked you to act less… caring. But I hate it."
"I do too."
"Really?" Her eyes fix on me.
"Yeah." I cup her cheek with my palm. "Do you want to talk about it?"
Her brow furrows with confusion.
"The test," I explain.
"No… I just… I want it to work. Talking won't make it work faster."
"It can still help."
She shakes her head. "I want… I want to not talk. But not like last time. I felt so empty after—" She motions to the bed. "I can't do that again."
The thought of handling Ariel like an anonymous hookup makes my stomach turn.
But the alternative—
"Fuck, princess. I want to taste you so badly." My body begs me to forget my concerns. But this is too important. "I want to bury myself in you. Tease you until you're begging me to come."
"Chase—"
"I want to watch every ounce of pleasure spill over your expression."
She swallows hard.
"I can't do that halfway."
She nods with understanding.
"I can fuck you with everything I have. Or I can fuck you with nothing." I don't have a better way to say it. "I'm committed to this. But if you want more… It's more of everything."
"That's… okay… I get that."
