Make a Wish (Spark House #3)(76)

“How did she take that?”

“She was defensive at first, but I think she understands where the lines are now, and I’m hoping she’s going to toe them.”

“That seems like progress? Baby steps?”

“Baby steps.” He pauses for a moment. “That’s all we can ask for, isn’t it?”

“I think it’s reasonable.” I’m going to cross my fingers that the next time I see Karen, there’s less hostility from her, and I don’t have to protect my feelings with battle armor. “And this is uncharted territory, isn’t it? We can’t expect it to be seamless.”

“No, I guess we can’t. How are you so wise?”

I glance at the gallery of photos on my wall, my gaze catching on the last family photo we had taken before my parents died. We were standing in front of Spark House, Grandma Spark standing to the right of my dad, her hand on my shoulder. Even then, she felt more like an additional parent than a grandparent. I imagine it’s much the same for Karen. “Loss at a young age does that, I think.”

He makes a noise, but doesn’t comment otherwise. “Are you still able to pick up Peyton after school tomorrow?”

“Absolutely.”

“Great.” He sounds relieved. “She really wanted to see you today. We both did. I missed you.”

My heart squeezes at the admission. “Me too.”

“I’m looking forward to tomorrow and seeing your beautiful face.”

I chuckle. “And I’m looking forward to seeing your handsome one and Peyton’s cute one.”

He laughs along with me, and then clears his throat, his voice suddenly shy. “Maybe you want to pack an overnight bag?”

“You want me to stay the night? Do you think we should talk to Peyton about that first?”

“Maybe?” It sounds like a question. “Am I jumping the gun?”

“I think it’s probably a conversation we need to have first, in person, before we go making sleepover plans.”

He sighs. “You’re right. I just want some time with you, especially after this weekend. And I don’t want to have to wait until Peyton can have a sleepover at her grandparents’ place before I can spend a night with you beside me.”

My heart stutters. “Then maybe we need to broach the subject with Peyton and see how she feels about me staying overnight at your place. And we can go from there. Baby steps, Gavin.”

He chuckles again. “I would come over there right now if I had access to a sitter.”

“I don’t doubt that for a second, but it’s late, and you have work tomorrow, and so do I, and staying up until midnight so we can sneak in some sexy time seems irresponsible.”

“Sometimes being responsible is overrated.”

“It’s after ten. My carriage has already turned back into a pumpkin.”

He huffs. “This feels like a punishment.”

I bite back a grin, aware that I could go to his place right now, but that dropping everything for him sets a bad precedent. “You’ll see me in less than twenty-four hours.”

He makes a discontented sound, then asks, “Where are you?”

“What do you mean, where am I? I’m in my apartment.”

“I mean, what room are you in?” I hear rustling in the background.

“My living room, why?”

“What are you wearing? Are you ready for bed?”

“Nothing you can say is going to persuade me to leave my house right now.”

“I know, you’ve told me that. I’m improvising. I’m going to end this call and video chat you.”

My screen goes blank and lights up again a few seconds later. I answer the call, and Gavin’s handsome face appears. He shifts the phone around, setting it on one of the stands he has sitting around his house so he can have hands-free video chats. That’s when I realize he’s in his bedroom, and he’s shirtless.

His gaze moves over me in a hot sweep. “Wanna have a little fun with me?”

I bite my lip. “What kind of fun are you talking about?”

“The naked kind.” He arches a brow. “Unless that’s outside of your comfort zone.”

Have I ever had phone sex before? No. But that doesn’t mean I’m not interested in trying new things. “I can get on board with naked fun.”

I push up off the couch, grab my own phone stand, and walk down the hall to my bedroom. My stomach clenches with excitement as I set the phone on my nightstand and adjust it, making sure it’s set up to give Gavin an excellent view of my bed.

I open the nightstand and toss a few helpers on the mattress.

Gavin curses softly. “Have I told you lately how much I appreciate your willingness to try new things with me?”

“Does that mean you’re ready to have some fun?” I climb up onto the bed and arrange myself so I’m facing the screen and lift my top over my head. I’m already in pajamas—just a T-shirt and shorts—so I’m instantly topless.

Gavin groans. “What I wouldn’t give to be able to put my hands and mouth on you right now.”

“What would you do first, if you were here?” I drag my fingertips along my bottom lip.

“I would start by kissing that sweet, sexy mouth of yours.” His biceps flex and release, hand moving over his erection in slow, unhurried passes. “Then I’d trail them down your throat.”