I Love How You Love Me (The Sullivans #13)(51)

And then holding her tight all night long after making the sweetest love imaginable to her.

Unfortunately, though it was late by the time she finally got Mason to settle down, since she was still struggling with her writing she returned to her computer to put in a couple more hours before she turned in. Forcing herself to hold focus on her article, rather than daydreaming about the main subject’s kisses—or letting herself worry that something bad might have happened to him because he hadn’t yet called—she began the heavy lifting of revising what she’d written earlier in the day.

Before she could make much headway, though, her phone buzzed and her heart leaped in her chest when she saw his name pop up on the screen.

Grace had promised herself she wouldn’t stare at her phone all night waiting for Dylan to call. There had been too many nights when her ex had promised to check in, but hadn’t. She’d believed Richard when he’d told her it was because he’d been working late and lost track of time—when, she later found out, he’d been courting the woman he actually planned to marry. Grace had simply been a convenient, and easy, bit on the side.

But Dylan had kept his promise, just as he’d kept every other promise he’d made to her so far. It had been a long time since she’d let herself feel the joy of wanting someone, and being wanted right back. Just as she’d relished the glorious hours in his arms two nights ago, she decided it was okay to relish this lovely warm feeling in her chest right now.

“Hi.”

“Have I mentioned just how much I love the sound of your voice?”

Just like that, he had her flushing, heat moving through her. “It’s really nice hearing yours, too. How was your flight?”

“Good. Although I may have driven myself a little crazy thinking about you the whole time. I’m so glad you’re still up. Once we get going tomorrow morning, it might be hard for me to catch you again, so I really needed to talk to you tonight. Tell me about your day.”

“Tatiana called and invited Mason and me to a surprise party for Mia that she’s throwing on her set.”

“My sister is going to love seeing both of you again. And Mason is going to dig playing with my cousins’ kids. Just don’t let any of the girls corrupt you. Especially my cousin Lori. She can be a wild one, particularly when she and Mia get together.” Grace was amazed, yet again, by how easy he made things sound, as though he wasn’t surprised at all that she’d been invited to a big family party when they’d only just started dating. “How’s your writing going?”

She knew better than to bother with a good this time. “I’m going to get it soon. I just know it. And until then, I’ll just keep plugging away at my computer so that when lightning strikes, I’ll be ready.”

“Next week on Sunday,” he reminded her. “Once we get you out on my boat, it’s all going to come together for you.”

Her heartbeat kicked up even faster at the thought of sailing with Dylan, just as it always did when she thought about being alone with him in his ultimate domain. Right there in the cockpit confessional.

“What about Mason? I’ve been missing that little guy like crazy. How was his day?”

“It was great. His second tooth finally popped through.”

“Every day there’s something new and exciting, isn’t there?” Dylan truly sounded interested and excited by this small milestone. “We’ll have to celebrate his new tooth when I get back.”

Dylan’s reaction reminded her of how her parents had raised her, where even an event as small as her baby growing another tooth was something to celebrate.

Thinking about how Mason had been a little off all day, she said, “He misses you.” But she knew that was cheating. Dylan had given her his all since they’d met, and he deserved better from her. “I’ve been missing you, too.”

“You have no idea how tempted I am to catch the next plane back to you.”

“You’ve got to do this race,” she told him. “And you’ve got to promise me that you’ll enjoy it.” She’d never forgive herself if she and Mason stole Dylan’s truest joy from him.

“I’ll trade you that promise for one from you.” The tenor of his voice had shifted as he spoke, from playful to sensual.

“What do you want me to promise you?”

“That we won’t hang up tonight until you’ve come for me.”

“But—” She could hardly speak around the desire already rising inside of her. “How can I do that when you’re not here?”

“Promise me, Grace.”

Shocked by how close to the edge nothing but the sexy promise in his voice had taken her, she whispered, “I promise.”

“All day long I’ve been putting together a fantasy about you in my head. Will you help me live it out?”

“Yes.”

God, yes.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

“Where are you right now?”

“Sitting at the dining table behind my computer.”

“Put your computer away and go over to the couch.”

Grace’s hands were trembling as she followed his instructions. “I’m on the couch now.”

“Tell me what you’re wearing.”

“A long-sleeved T-shirt and jeans.”