I wasn't sure who kissed who. I wasn't sure why it was different from the usual kisses we had shared, offering a tenderness, a sweetness that I couldn't recall having tasted on him before.

It didn't escalate, either. It didn't lead to him throwing me on my back and having his way with me. It did end up with him knocking the drink off the arm of the chair.

"I was still drinking that," I whined. "What am I supposed to drink now?"

Deacon only rolled his eyes. He plucked up the paci from where it had been laid on my blanket and shoved it in my mouth, earning a...