Page 12 of One Kiss Isn't Enough

“Men aren’t scared off by the thought of a family. I know what I want, and I’m not looking for a fling either.”

She bites down on her plush bottom lip and all I can think is that I want to do that nibbling. With my cock hardening, I readjust in my seat and thankfully, I’m saved by the waiter.

“The rib eye,” he says as I lay my napkin across my lap, “and scallops and medallions.” Nodding toward our drinks, I answer him before he can ask the question, “Another for each of us, please.”

Autumn looks giddy staring down at her plate with a small hum of satisfaction. One thing I hadn’t realized before tonight was how laid back and easily pleased Autumn is. She’s all smiles all the time although there has to be something that gets to her.

“You look like a kid at Christmas,” I say as she pops a roasted potato into her mouth the second the waiter is gone.

“I love good food.” Autumn doesn’t hesitate to cut into one of her scallops. “You’re going to wish you got these,” she taunts playfully, the chunk of caramelized scallop speared on her fork.

“I think I’m going to be just fine with my steak.”

“It does look delicious,” she says and eyes my meal like she may steal it if I don’t eat fast enough.

“Where do you even put it away? You’re a tiny little thing.”

“All the way down to my toes,” she says and the joke makes me grin. “So … this is a date-date?”

“It’s a date-date,” I say, nodding in agreement.

All she does is smile at my answer and I comment, “You like to smile, don’t you?

Her head tilts with a small nod. “Happiness is a choice.”

“I want to be happy.” I don’t know why the words slipped out, but they do.

“You aren’t now?” she asks with all seriousness, giving me her full attention.

“Happier,” I say, amending my statement.

“What would make you happy?”

You. The word stays at the back of my throat and I shrug, taking a swig of my drink rather than answering. “Life is good, but I just want make sure it’s everything it can be for Chase.”

“I don’t know a lot of single dads, and only a few single moms. But I know you’re doing a good job. Chase is a sweet kid and he’s happy.”

“So is Henry.”

A smile instantly blossoms on her lips and she tells me thank you.

“So … since this is a date-date, can we agree to one thing?” she asks, changing the subject.

“What’s that?”

“Can we can go slow?” she asks me.

“Slow?”

“I just think it’s best, with the boys and all.”

“Slow it is then.”

And just like that, the serious tension is gone, but both of us know what the other wants.

One small problem, though: there’s nothing about the two of us that I want to do slow.

AUTUMN

---