Page 85 of Whisper Sweet Nothings

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But I saw the panic there.

We were all getting too close, which I knew terrified him.

I forced a smile, and he gave me the slightest nod.

Things were getting complicated.

And I knew Archer Chadwick didn’t like complicated.

twenty-three

. . .

Archer

Happy Birthday and Happy Valentine’s Day! I think it’s very fitting that a romance author has her birthday on Valentine’s Day.

Winnie

Thanks, Archie. I agree. And thank you for the pastry you left on my desk. You even tied a bow around it. Nice touch.

Seems wrong for you to be working on your birthday.

Winnie

I’m almost done for the day.

How’s the read-through going?

Winnie

Really good. I’ve only got a few days left. How is work today?

Slow.

Winnieand I had fallen into a routine. We were together every day with Melody. We’d have breakfast, and she’d head into her office to work, and I’d take my daughter to school. And then she’d pick Melody up and take her to her activities. We’d all three have dinner together, and after I put my daughter to bed, Winnie and I would make out like horny teenagers.

Things had grown more heated, and I’d spent most of my nights going to sleep rock hard.

But we both seemed determined to keep things casual; anything more than that scared the shit out of me.

I’d grown dependent on Winnie. I looked forward to seeing her first thing in the morning.

I liked that she was the last person I spoke to before I went to bed.

I wanted her in my bed.

I wanted all of her, and I felt like a selfish prick for wanting that.

Winnie

Want to come home?

Do you want me to come home?

Winnie

I do.

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