Page 57 of Mister Mom

I chuckle, knowing exactly what’s on his mind. “Yeah, but maybe I should feed them first.”

“Food coma? I love the sound of that.”

A giddiness envelops me when he takes my hand, leading me toward the door.

I take in where he lives, where he sleeps, watches television, where he relaxes. It’s all glass, chrome and hardwood with a wide span of windows overlooking the ocean. The building itself isn’t too flashy, but the inside of this place screams money.

“Seriously, Vance, this is a really nice condo. Do you sell a lot of scripts?”

He stops and turns around, placing each of his hands on my cheeks. “You know what? We need to talk.” The smile disappears from his face and instead of leading me toward the door, he guides me to the couch.

He’s a trust-fund baby? No problem.

He sells his body at night? It could be worse, right?

Maybe he’s a thief? Robbed a few banks.

I’m totally overthinking this.

I sit there, my leg bouncing anxiously as I wait for him to start speaking.

“I wanted to tell you this before, but I didn’t think it was a major deal. If we’re going to be togeth—”

The door swings open and a long-annoyed breath leaves Vance’s lips.

“Um… she fell asleep.” Leo is holding Via in his arms with Cooper and Payne at his side.

I give Vance a look, but he’s already moving toward the door. I step up and take my sleeping princess from Leo.

“Call Miles. I don’t have a car seat for Via. I’ll meet you at your place,” Vance says.

“What? The party is just beginning.” Leo holds out his hands at his sides. “You can’t leave.”

“Next time I’ll get a babysitter, promise.” I hold Via to my chest and Leo nods, his dark blonde hair falling over his forehead with the movement.

“I’ll plan another one soon.” He walks out with Cooper following right behind him. Seriously, I need someone as loyal and committed to me as that.

Even though I try not to get my hopes up, I secretly can’t help but hope that Vance is the man for the job.

* * *

Via stays asleep during transport, but I had to stop and grab Payne a hamburger.

Don’t judge. I haven’t gotten laid in a year and even then, it was a typical Carver flash fuck. Something tells me that Vance knows his way around a woman’s body and I plan for him to take his time.

Payne is out of the bath and changing into his pajamas when the doorbell rings.

“I’ll be right back, sweetie, finish up.” I jog down the stairs, wishing I had time to freshen up. My hair probably smells like campfire and I’m pretty sure I have a thin layer of beach sand all over me. Although as luck—or maybe premeditation—would have it, I shaved this morning.

I open the door to find Vance’s hands stuffed into his pockets, his smile reaching all the way up to his caramel eyes. I could become addicted to that look.

“Hey.” His voice is suave and smooth and all my insides turn into goo.

“Hi. I’m just finishing up with Payne. Give me five.” I hold my fingers up and run back up the stairs. Right before I disappear I look back and find him staring at my ass.

“What can I say, I like the view.” He winks and then heads into the family room.

God, I might actually die of heart failure from the way it’s pitter-pattering so much.

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