Page 56 of Every Beat of My Heart

Jameson glanced at me, more than a little panicked, but I merely shook my head. “He’s going with friends.”

“Ah. Not into girls yet. That’s probably a good thing. You have plenty of time for that.

“No one has dates?” I couldn’t help but ask.

“I guess some do. But dating is stupid. They just say they have a girlfriend, but they don’t talk to them or hang out outside of school.”

I nodded, relieved at his admission.

After dinner we helped clean up, and Owen excused himself to do his homework.

“Thank you for coming tonight. It was nice having you here. I don’t think I could have done it without you. I was a nervous wreck.”

“You would have been fine.”

His confidence felt good. “Still. It was nice to have support.”

Jameson wiped his hands on a towel. “I should get going. I’m sure you have things you need to do tonight.”

I wanted to ask him to stay, but I couldn’t think of a good reason. Not without giving away how I felt about him. I liked having him in my house. I enjoyed cooking with someone and sharing a meal. Things I hadn’t done with my ex.

It was the fantasy I had in my mind all those years of what a marriage should be. I walked him outside to the porch.

“I can come over again, but I think he’ll be okay.”

I rubbed the chill on my arms. “I don’t know if I’m going to be okay.”

Jameson covered my hands with his. “You’re stronger than you give yourself credit for.”

I didn’t feel strong when I was by myself. But with Jameson nearby, quick to lend his support, I felt better than I had in a long time.

Jameson took off his hoodie and pulled it over my head. It was warm from his body heat and smelled like him. It engulfed my body, making me feel tiny.

“You look good in my sweatshirt.” Jameson’s voice was rough.

I knew the sweatshirt was long enough that it covered my shorts completely.

My breath caught as he cupped my cheek. “I want to kiss you.”

My brain short-circuited. I couldn’t process what he was saying. It was like the world faded away, and there was nothing besides the beat of my heart and his lips moving ever closer to mine.

When they touched, I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him down farther so that my chest pressed against his. As nice as his sweatshirt was, I wanted to feel his body against mine.

His arm banded around my waist, pulling me tight to him. I felt his possession in the way he held me and the confident way he kissed. His tongue swept into my mouth, and I felt myself opening to him, to the idea of us.

When he finally pulled away, my knees were weak, and my entire body was tingling with awareness. Had we just kissed on the front porch with my kid doing homework in his room?

It was reckless and crazy, yet I couldn’t bring myself to regret it. It felt too good.

“I’m sorry. I couldn’t resist—” Jameson backed away a step, and I wanted to pull him to me.

I wanted to kiss him again. The desire bubbled in my stomach and spread through my chest. “I’m not complaining. I liked it.”

Jameson’s eyes widened. “You liked it?”

I nodded, and he stepped toward me, his hand diving into my hair.

“I didn’t plan for this. I thought I’d keep my distance. There’s Owen, the team to consider.”

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