Because Jace’s body is something to fucking write home about.

He’s kissing and moving, and I’m trapped in the absolute ecstasy of being with him. It’s beyond anything that I’ve ever experienced before, and I doubt that I ever will again.

He presses deep and groans as his orgasm overwhelms him, and when we’re finally able to breathe somewhat normally again, he slips out of me, kisses me soundly, then rolls away and walks into the bathroom, turning on the light and letting it cast illumination into the bedroom.

He returns moments later with a warm washcloth, walking naked through the room.

Dear, sweet baby Jesus, he has a body on him. Clothes don’t do him justice.

“Are you okay?” he asks softly.

“I’m great,” I reply honestly as he cleans me up. “I could have done that.”

“I woke you up,” he says simply as if that explains everything. He finishes his task, then joins me under the covers, pulling me to him much like he had hours earlier, but this time, we’re both naked.

And we just had sex.

I had sex with the best friend I’ve ever had.

“Stop overthinking it,” he whispers before kissing my temple. “I’ve already done enough of that for the both of us.”

“That did not suck,” I admit, smiling into the darkness.

“So glad to hear it.” His voice is heavy with sarcasm, making me giggle. His dick twitches against my ass, startling me.

“You recover quickly.”

“With your sweet little body pressed to me? Fuck, yes.” He kisses my neck, in a new spot that is apparently my ignition button because, holy hell, my nipples pucker again, and I can’t resist grinding my ass against him. “Jesus, Joy.”

“Are you tired?” I ask, biting my lip and praying that he says no because I’m ready for round two.

“I’m never too damn tired for this,” he says immediately, rustling behind me. The next thing I know, he lifts my leg and slips into me from behind, and much to my surprise, round two is even better than one.

“I haven’t slept this late since I was a teenager,” I grumble as Jace passes me a steaming mug of coffee.

“We didn’t actually fall asleep until almost five,” he reminds me. “We had to get some shut-eye.”

“You do realize that I now have to do the walk of shame at my father’s house to get my car? At almost noon?”

He just smiles and sips his coffee, watching me with happy, smug eyes.

“I’m not sorry,” he says.

I climb into his lap, straddling him, and wrap my arms around his neck.

It feels so natural. So perfect.

“I’m not sorry either,” I clarify before I kiss his forehead. “That’s not what I’m saying. But he’s my dad.”

“Maybe he won’t notice.”

I stare down at him, blinking slowly. “Have you met my dad?”

He chuckles and kisses my cleavage. “Okay, he’s going to notice.”

I move to climb off his lap, but he clamps onto my ass, holding me in place. His fingers slide toward each other until they cover the crack of my ass over my jeans.

How is that the best thing I’ve felt in ever?

“I’m not ready to take you home,” he admits, pressing up to grind his already-hard cock against my core.

“No?”

He shakes his head and licks my collarbone. “No.”

“Well, it’s already noon. What’s another hour?”

His grin is full of mischief. “I love the way you think, Doc.”

In one smooth motion, he flips us over, and I’m pinned under him, lengthwise on his couch. His fingers make short work of my jeans, and I pull his shirt over his head.

“Are we actually going to make it out of your house today?”

He smiles against my skin. “That’s a fantastic new goal.”

“Sorry we didn’t come by sooner,” I say to my dad much later in the afternoon. “We got hung up working on Jace’s place.”

Dad’s grinning from ear to ear, standing on his front porch. Nancy stands next to him, happy to see me but doggy-smiling up at my father.

“Nancy isn’t a problem at all,” he assures me. “I didn’t have her regular food here, so I shared mine with her.”

“Which is why she’s looking at you like you hung the moon,” I reply with a laugh and call for Nancy to come down the porch steps.

She doesn’t budge.

“Why do I think that you may have just lost yourself a dog?” Jace asks quietly, for my ears only. I frown up at him.

“I didn’t.”

I don’t want to give up Nancy. She’s a great dog, and I love having her companionship.

But watching her with Dad is just . . . sweet. Nancy nudges Dad’s leg, wanting affection, so Dad squats next to her and kisses her head, scratching behind her ears and telling her what a good baby she is.

How can I take her away from him? It would be cruel.

“You know, Dad,” I begin, “I love Nancy very much, but I’ve begun to worry that she spends too much time alone.”

Dad’s eyes are hopeful when he looks up at me.

“Is that so?”

“Yeah. She should have more companionship than I can give her because of my busy schedule.”

Jace slips his hand into mine, giving it a squeeze.

He thinks I’m doing the right thing.

“Would you mind adopting her? I’m happy to bring over all of her things. She won’t cost you anything, of course. I’ll continue to cover the cost of her food and stuff.”

Dad licks his lips, not able to look me in the eyes, and I know without a shadow of a doubt that I’ve done the right thing. He clears his throat.

“I suppose that would be just fine,” he says, still looking down at Nancy. “She’s sure a sweet girl.”

“I know.” I walk up the steps and sit next to Nancy, pulling her into my arms to hug her and whisper in her ear. “You take care of him, okay? I’ll still see you all the time. I love you, sweet girl.”

“Are you sure?” Dad asks as I stand.

“Absolutely. Nancy is clearly happy here, and I think you could both use the company. I’ll bring all of her things over later today.”

“Do I need to know anything about her eye?”

Sweet Nancy always looks like she’s winking at you.

“No, she’s all healed up. If it ever weeps or doesn’t look right, just let me know, and I’ll look at it. But she’s as healthy as can be.”

Dad pulls me in for a hug, surprising me. Mom was always the more physically affectionate one. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.” I walk down the steps and expect Nancy to follow me the way she always does, but when I turn around, she’s still sitting by Dad’s side as if this is home and where she’s supposed to be.

Because it is. I just didn’t know it.

“By the way,” Dad says before we can get into our cars. “It’s about damn time.”

“For what?” I frown up at him, but he just shakes his head and smiles.

“Youth is wasted on the young.”

I glance over at Jace, who just shrugs and waves at Dad before sitting in his little sports car and firing the engine to life. I do the same with my vehicle and drive to my house, which is only about ten minutes away. Jace follows, parking behind me in the driveway.

Without any words, I unlock the door and step inside. Carl comes running to the door, happy to have me home.

To my surprise, he looks behind me, searching for Nancy.

And for the first time, tears come to my eyes.

“I’m sorry, little guy, she’s going to live with Grandpa.” I sit with him and cradle him in my arms.

“Hey, are you okay?” Jace asks as he sits next to us and wraps his arm around my shoulders.

“Yeah, I’m silly. I’d grown really attached to that dog.”

“Then why did you give her away? You could have gotten your dad another dog.”

I shrug one shoulder and kiss Carl’s cheek. “It wouldn’t have been the same. You don’t see a bond like that all the time, Jace. Dad and Nancy have something special. He’s her human. Bringing her back here would have been cruel. She loves me, and she was happy enough here, but her home is with Dad. They’ll be good for each other.”