“Well, just so you know—I’ll always have your back.” He leans down and presses a soft, tender kiss to my lips, and the tension I’d been carrying instantly fades away.
The rest of the afternoon drags on like a movie in slow motion, time stretching endlessly as I watch Jason and Elena mingle with family and friends. This time, Jason keeps her at arm’s length, while I’ve kept my own distance, choosing instead to linger in the shade with Sofia as she gushes about her and Brody’s upcoming trip to Santorini. I nod and smile in all the right places, but my focus is on one person and one person only—Jason.
CHAPTER 32
Jason
The party’s finally over. And thank God for that.
All the guests left three hours ago, and the house is spotless again, apart from the dining table, still stacked high with gift after gift for a very spoiled little six-year-old. As much as I love my son, I’m quietly relieved he’s spending the night at his mother’s. Tonight, all I want is a quiet evening to relax and breathe, with my beautiful girl curled up beside me after a long, exhausting day.
Leaving Mila after what had happened in the garage wasn’t easy. I was still seething from what Elena had said to her, and just being anywhere near my ex-wife made my skin itch like an irritating rash. Everything about my her today—her voice, her fake smiles, the way her eyes would follow me everywhere, made me want to tear at myself. If we hadn’t been at my son’s party, Elena would’ve been on the streets in a heartbeat.
It’s 8:30 p.m., and Mila and I are curled up on the couch, a movie playing quietly in the background after spending the first two hours cleaning my place from top to bottom. We’ve also just polished off an entire bottle of wine between us—part celebration, part decompression. The birthday party was a success, apart from that one hiccup, and now, I’m just looking forward to spending a nice, quiet night in with my beautiful girl.
Every so often, my gaze drifts to Mila, snuggled comfortably beside me, as I absentmindedly run my fingers along her arm. I don’t know what it is about her, only that I always feel the needto touch her, to keep that connection with her. I waited hours just to have her to myself again, and now that I do, I can’t seem to keep my eyes, hands, and mouth off her.
“That tickles, babe,” she says with a soft, breathy giggle.
I slow my movements but continue to trace along her skin. “Want me to stop?”
“No, keep going... It feels nice.”Her voice is low and raspy, each word almost lazy and honeyed, like she’s sleepy but slightly aroused.
My fingers drift from her shoulder, down her arm, and over the curve of her hip. She shifts slightly, goosebumps rising in their wake—a quiet, involuntary response that gives away just how much my touch is affecting her.
It’s impossible to look away, the dim lamplight casting a golden sheen across her silky-smooth skin. She’s wearing one of my shirts fresh out of the shower, her bare legs curled to the side. There’s something so disarmingly beautiful about her in this moment, it almost steals all the oxygen out of my system.
“Despite what happened in the garage, did you enjoy yourself today?” I ask.
“I did. It was a lot of fun. The costumes were pretty funny. And I don’t think I’ve eaten so much bread in my life. But the highlight of my day was definitely seeing you in a giant spider suit.”
I let out a low chuckle.“Well, I did come dressed to impress, so I’m glad you fancied my look.”I waggle my eyebrows, earning a soft giggle from her.“But you, my sexy little butterfly, were hands down the most stunning insect there. I had to stop myself from throwing you over my shoulder and sneaking off with you.”
“Oh really? So it wasn’t the glittery ladybug prancing around the yard all afternoon that had your attention?”
“Fuck no! Elena doesn’t hold a candle to you, gorgeous. You were the only one who held my attention all day. So you have nothing to worry about, okay?”
She nods slightly, but there’s a flicker of hesitation in her eyes.
“Hey.” I gently tilt her chin to meet my gaze. “You don’t believe me?”
She slowly sits up, creating a small distance between us, and I don’t like that one bit.
Her gaze drops to her hands, fidgeting nervously in her lap, revealing the weight of whatever’s on her mind. I reach out, gently clasping her hand and giving it a little squeeze. She looks up at me, a faint, hesitant smile softening her expression.
“You want to talk about what happened?” I ask gently.
She shakes her head slowly. “Not worth explaining.”
“Tell me what’s on your mind then?” I press.
“It’s really nothing. I don’t even know why I’m my wasting time thinking about it.”
“What did that lying snake say to you exactly?”
She exhales a long, heavy breath. “She mentioned the type of women you usually go for.”
“And what might that be?’
