“I know I said we could be just sex, no emotional attachments.” He shoves his hands in his pockets. “But I feel like I have to be honest with you. Having you back in my life has been…it’s been exactly what I need, and what I felt last night… I’ve never felt that way before.”

I’m not even sure my heart is beating, but it also feels like there’s a tumult in my chest. “What are you saying, Ez?”

His mouth flattens into a hard line and his jaw hardens to stone. “I want strings.”

“Y-you do?”

“I want strings.” He links our fingers, strokes his thumb across my palm. “Ropes, if necessary. I want anything that keeps you with me and me with you and tells everyone else don’t even think about it.”

I’m stunned and incredibly turned on, but that doesn’t take much where Ezra’s concerned.

“You…you do?” I ask faintly…again.

“I wouldn’t do well sharing you.”

The thought of sharing him pours acid into a deep cut, a completely unfamiliar feeling, but I can’t deny it’s there. “I agree,” I tell him.

“Look. We’re already redefining the relationship,” he says. “Strings attached?”

“I can’t believe I’m saying this.” I step closer, tipping up on my toes to kiss him. “But yes, I want all the strings.”

If I wasn’t really into Ezra before, after I had his stuffed French toast, I would have been.

“Wow.” I pat my full belly. “Now I get it.”

“It’s Noah’s favorite,” he says, taking his empty plate and mine to the sink. “Wait’ll you see what we’re having for lunch.”

“First of all, I can’t even think about more food right now.” I walk over and loop my arms around his waist, press my front to his broad back. “Second of all, I need to go home.”

He tenses under my cheek. “Already?”

“I could let you see me later today,” I say, smiling and huddling deeper into the taut muscles of his back.

He turns, cups my face in both hands and dots kisses along my jawline. “How very gracious of you.”

“I do have to get home, though. My mom…let’s just say I’m already due an earful. My dress should be dry by now. I can catch an Uber.”

“No way.” A frown settles on his face. “I’ll take you home.”

“Ezra—”

“I said I’ll take you home.”

Before I can protest further, his cell rings. He leans over to inspect the screen and sighs. “Aiko’s mom. She probably wants an update on Aiko and Noah. I can call her back.”

“No. Talk to her.” I slip out of his hold. “I’ll get dressed and be ready by the time you’re done.”

“You sure?”

“Absolutely.”

He nods and reaches for the phone. “Xin chào cô.”