“So, what’s new with you? How’s the house coming along?” Several months back, before we got back together—which I don’t know if it’s even considered “back together” because we were never together in the first place, but whatever—Stone bought a new construction home. About a month and a half before I left, the builders were finally able to start building. He’s shown me a general layout of how the house will look once it’s built, but I don’t know where it’s located. He’s been very hush-hush about it. All I know is that it’s still in Lubbock.

“The house is definitely coming along. I drove out there during my lunch break yesterday and met with Julian. It should be ready to move in within the next few weeks.”

“Do you think you’ll move in before I get home?” I’m in Europe for another five weeks. I wanted to be there when the house was finished to finally see it, but we knew this may happen.

“Probably. Julian is gonna get his club to help me move everything in. You can have a super sexy sleepover at my new house when you get back.” He wiggles his eyebrows at me and bites his bottom lip. The look is beyond fucking sexy. I’m dying for some skin on skin with him. FaceTime sex has become the new norm for us, but it’s not nearly enough.

“I think we could make that work,” I reply. “How’s my baby doing?”

“Oh, I’m good, honey. Thanks for asking.” I can’t help the laugh that comes out, which causes him to laugh.

“I meant my cat, and you know it.”

“Well,” he starts, “about that.” He reaches for something near him, bringing a tiny ball of nude pink and wrinkles into view.

“Who the hell is that, Stone?” I ask with a chuckle. “That is not Houston, unless he Benjamin Buttoned and got lighter skin.”

Stone bites that damn delicious lip again, looking sheepish, as he glances between me and the kitten. “Houston was lonely, Daddy. He needed a friend.”

Ignoring the way hearing him call me “daddy” causes my dick to swell, I rub my hand over my face, trying to cover the cheesy ass grin I’m wearing. “He was lonely?! Did he tell you this?”

“As a matter of fact, he did.”

“Interesting how I’ve had him for over a year now and he’s never once appeared lonely. He’s got you wrapped around his little hairless webbed finger, doesn’t he?”

“Shut up. Look at her, Cash! She’s so little and wrinkly. You know you love her.”

“Do you have a name, sweet princess?” I ask her, using the same baby talk I use to talk to Houston.

A wicked grin spreads across his face, causing a shiver to roll through me. “Whitney.”