Page 96 of You Didn't Know Me Then

Chapter 41

“So, you memorized the periodic table?”

“It wasn’t easy, but you can test me.”

“Maybe I will. Maybe I’ll grade your test hard against a wall.”

“I’d love that. Just give me a few minutes.”

She laughed then traveled her eyes and fingers over his light brown hair, his face, down to his neck and shoulders, then along his arm, tracing the veins on the strong forearm as she had craved to do. She then brushed her fingers up and stopped at his corded bicep, caressing his surging wave tattoo. “Why this?”

He hadn’t removed his gaze from her face the whole time, and it felt like he was caressing her, too. “I was freezing my ass off in Ithaca during my second winter there. It was gorgeous, but so far from home, and this ocean, and what I was used to. I even missed the smell of sunscreen. When a friend offered we get tattoos, I went along. The moment I saw this one, I knew.”

“And you spent all these years on the other coast.”

“The prodigal son is ready to come home, especially when there’s you.”

“You’re hardly a prodigal son.”

He scoffed. “You won’t let me enjoy at least some notoriety?” He slipped a hand over her cheek and threaded his fingers in her hair.

“But, seriously, what will you do here?”

“Do you know how many offers I have here, not just in politics? One of the largest economies in the world? Silicon Valley? Ava and I talked about this a while ago. She’s a content creator, and there are multiple opportunities to cooperate and branch out together.”

She puckered her lips, still tracing the wave with her fingers. “Won’t you miss politics?”

“Like chemistry, there’s politics in everything.” He smiled, reminding her of their conversation that night at the beach house kitchen. “Whether I like it or not, I’ll always have to deal with it. We all do. You do, too.”

“The teachers’ lounge can be cut-throat.”

He laughed. “I bet it is.”

“Especially when Avery finds out where you are.” She couldn’t even fathom the lectures she would get from her.

“I’d say leave her to me, but you can handle her better.”

She sighed. “I have Eric to handle first.” She would have to tell him before the girls. With the girls, she would have to take it extra careful.

Jordan bit his lip. “I didn’t feel I had the right to say anything until now, but you know what I learned about people like Eric? They act like nothing is ever good enough for them, but deep, deep, deep down, they don’t think they’re ever good enough for nothing. They’re not even aware of it, but if you know that about him, you can play that to get him to play fair.”

“God, you are good at politics.” She chuckled. “I hope you’re not playing me.”

“I can’t play you.”

“Why not?”

“You’re unpredictable.” He smirked and drew his thumb along her hairline. “And disarmingly beautiful. And the only person who can look sexy with balloons hanging from them.”

She laughed, but damn him, he made her sweat again.

“And I love you,” he rasped. “I never wanted or tried playing you. I hope you know that.”

She looked into his eyes. “I do.”

“You’re the only person I can’t find the words with.”

She leaned closer to him, breathing in his skin, then kissed him, absorbing his taste, never wanting to let go. “I love you, too,” she whispered against his lips.

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