Page 39 of Mister Mom

My girly parts are on high alert, begging me to slide forward on the counter, let his hands skim the outside of my legs and mould to my ass.

One kiss won’t hurt anyone. I could just get it out of my system and move on. There’s nothing wrong with that.

“Layla.” My name sounds like a soft plea from his lips.

“Yes?” I press my lips together and his gaze drops, taking in the motion.

I realize too late that his hands have moved to the outside of my thighs. He pulls me forward and my hands fall to his shoulders.

“Just one taste,” he says, one hand snaking its way up my neck until he tilts my head and his lips crash down onto mine.

Our kiss is sweet and raw and still it leaves me starving for more. It all mixes together into a cocktail that has be drunk off of Vance Rose. Our tongues glide, our lips meld, and the kiss is like the moment on the Fourth of July when the first firework blasts through the night sky while the crowd oohs and awws, eager for what’s to come. I know by the way he’s devouring me that our kiss is merely the promise of what Vance can do to my body.

Our hands become frantic, clawing and grasping and taking whatever we can. He lifts me from the counter and my back smacks against the wall. I instinctively wrap my legs around his waist, the rigid length of him grinding against my center. Our tongues delve deeper, our mouths explore even more while my hands twirl the light brown hair at the base of his neck.

“Mommy?”

“Shit,” Vance murmurs, steps away from me, and my feet barely land on the floor in time to catch myself.

Vance turns around, opening the fridge door to hide his upper half inside.

“Payne.” I try to catch my breath. “What’s wrong, baby?”

“I’m hungry.”

“Okay, let’s get you fed now that you’re up.”

I guide him over to the kitchen table and upon my return to the kitchen cabinets Vance finally shuts the fridge door. I hope I don’t look as dishevelled as him.

“I better get going. See you two tomorrow.” He smiles, one that doesn’t quite reach his eyes.

Payne’s already half passed out on the table, but manages to give Vance a high-five on his way out.

“I’ll be right back,” I say to Payne, following Vance out. “You don’t have to leave.”

How pathetic do I sound?

Vance turns around, putting his black leather coat on. “Yeah, I do.” There’s a finality to his voice and I realize that he thinks the kiss was a mistake. Knowing he’s right does nothing to ease the sting.

“Thank you for today and for cleaning up. I have an interview set up for a nanny tomorrow after work.”

Vance nods. “Thanks again for dinner, Layla.” A small spark travels through my body and zings me right in the heart when he says my name.

“You’re welcome.”

He opens the door and I hold it open for him to leave. He stops on the stoop outside and turns around, his eyes roaming up and down my body, pausing for a moment on my lips before he raises his gaze to my eyes.

“Oh, I forgot,” he says.

To kiss me goodnight?

“Yeah?” My breasts push out and his gaze dips but recovers too fast for my liking.

“I picked up your dry cleaning. It’s in the front hallway.” He winks.

“You didn’t have to do that, but thanks.” My shoulders falter and I have to remember he’s many roles in my life. He’s my new scriptwriter, my kid’s manny, but he’s not my conquest. He’s not someone I can sleep with. No matter how much I want him and how sweet and thoughtful he seems.

He steps back up the steps, his hand moulding to my cheek. “You’re an amazing woman. You have your hands full and I noticed the slip on the counter.” He shrugs. “I’m glad I could take one thing off your list.”

---