Page 39 of Drive To Survive

His lips captured mine again, and his hands cupped my ass, pulling me flush to his body, his erection a rod of steel against my belly.

“Get a room!” a local beachgoer shouted.

“Sounds like a plan,” I said, my lips still connected to Nico’s.

“We can’t.”

His words poured cold water over me.

Just when I thought we were getting somewhere.

“Why not?” I demanded, a petulant tone to my voice that had his lips twitching.

“Firstly, you’re married, and even though your husband fucked off, it doesn’t change the fact. Call me old-fashioned, but it just feels wrong. Have you thought about starting divorce proceedings? You wouldn’t have any trouble, I’m sure, given he abandoned you and Rhett. And secondly, you’ve barely recovered from a serious illness. You need time to regain your strength.”

Shit. I forgot I’d never told him I wasn’t actually married, that I used the title “Mrs.” for Rhett’s benefit.

I peeked up at him. “Confession time. Paul and I aren’t married.”

His eyes rounded, his forehead creasing. “What?”

I wrinkled my nose. “I thought he might ask me after Rhett was born, but he never did, and if I broached it, he’d brush it off as if it were no big thing.”

“But… you said, that first day we met. And you call yourself Mrs. Lawson.”

“I tell everyone that because it’s easier for Rhett.” I rubbed my lips together. “I don’t want my son having horrible names thrown at him on the playground.”

Nico raked both hands through his hair, keeping them there. “I could murder you.”

“Not quite the response I hoped for,” I said.

He cupped my face in his large hands and kissed me. “If I’d known you were single, I’d have had a crack at you long before now.”

“A man with principles.” I fake-shuddered. “Christ, that’s a turn-on.”

He groaned, the sound low, reverberating through his chest.

“Now can we go back to your place?”

He gave me a wry smile, and his dimple appeared. “Check your watch.”

I frowned but did as he asked. “Ah, crap.” Thirty minutes until I had to go pick Rhett up from school.

Nico laughed. “You took the words out of my mouth.” He dropped a quick peck on my lips. “Besides, I don’t want to jump into bed with you.”

“Because?” I queried, tamping down that jolt, the one that feared rejection, despite what he’d said.

Nico winked. “I think it’s only right and proper that we go on at least one date first.”

I slammed my palm into his shoulder. “That’s mean. I thought you were turning me down.”

He raked me from head to toe with a gaze heated enough to set me on fire. “I’ve seen what’s beneath those clothes, remember? I’d have to be gay or a monk to turn down an offer of a rumble between the sheets with you. And for the avoidance of doubt, I’m neither of those things.”

I blushed, but not from embarrassment.

He leaned down and touched his lips to my ear. “How about when Rhett’s in bed tonight, I get my favorite restaurant to deliver a delicious meal for two, and after we’ve eaten some good food and drunk a little fine wine, I let you seduce me?”

My stomach clenched, and I was back to clamping my thighs together again. Pointless, considering it brought me no relief. Only one thing would satisfy the ache between my legs now.

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