It’s hard, though. I wouldn’t mind trading places with him for a moment.
But I remind myself that Albert deserves all the love and attention he gets, so I let it go.
“What are you smiling about?” she asks, looking over at me as I get up from behind my desk and head toward her.
I grin. “My jealousy over Albert.”
“You can’t be jealous of him. You want the same loving?”
“And more.”
Alina laughs. “You’re greedy.”
I draw her to me as she rises and kiss her. “You’ve no idea.”
She pushes me onto the sofa, climbs on top of me, and starts to attack me with kisses.
Albert barks, clearly thinking this is a great idea, and jumps up to lick me and hit me with his wagging tail.
“Okay, okay, I’m not jealous. I feel loved.”
Alina looks me in the eye. “Good.”
Everything inside me dips and swerves.
Good.
I hold that close.
Good.
I don’t think a word’s brought me so much joy before.
Taking her hand, I kiss her fingers. “Since going out to dinner doesn’t work so well, I’m saying we order in. Somewhere fancy. Whatever you want?—”
“I can’t.” She burrows into me, tucking her head into my shoulder.
“You can. You can stay, and I’ll worship you and feed you and give you so many orgasms that you’ll understand the true meaning of boneless.”
“Stop that…” She looks up at me and playfully pushes at my chest, and Albert tries to squeeze into the space. “I can’t.”
“Can’t? There’s no such word as can’t.”
“Remember when I used to beg you to stay over, when I had to convince you it was safe…?” she asks. “When was that? Last night?”
I shrug and ruffle Albert’s fur. “What can I say? I forgot how amazing it was to wake up with you and this furball.” I lean in and whisper, “But especially you.”
She groans and unfolds herself from me, and Albert’s whine voices my own inner disappointment.
“I want to, but I can’t. I don’t want to push Demyan harder than I already am.”
“Okay,” I mutter. “I respect that.”
“I’m going to stay the night with you soon,” she promises.
I sigh, picking Albert up and holding him, and he stares lovingly up at me. “Deal, but don’t plan on sleeping when you do.”
“Boneless?” she asks.
