Page 63 of Summer with the Single Dad

Unease shone brightly in her eyes, but then a twinkle emerged and the cutest little smile tugged at the side of her lips.

That sealed the deal for him, and he dropped the clothes in his arms, slammed the door shut and pressed her back up against it, taking her mouth all over again.

And she let him.

They made out for five or so minutes before she pressed her hand to his chest and pushed him away. “We should get back.”

He nodded. “We should.”

Scooping the clothes back into his arms, he thanked her when she held open the door for him. “Are you filled with regret and guilt?” he asked as they quietly made their way across the gravel parking lot and up the hill to the security gate. She used her code this time.

“No.” It was a soft, quiet “no.” But she accompanied it with a headshake and a small smile.

They reached the house and thankfully—not that he would have cared—Jagger was turned away from them on the couch and snoring like the bear he resembled.

“You shower first,” he said to her, jerking his chin toward the stairs.

Like the rest of her expressions, her smile and nod remained small. But they were genuine. She was happy. He could tell.

He just hoped that the shower didn’t wash away all those endorphins and good feelings, leaving her with nothing but guilt and regret.

Good thing he planned to take the entire day off to bake cake and cupcakes, because he might need to spend some of that time reminding her to find some joy.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Even after her shower, Justine couldn’t get rid of the smile on her face. She thought for sure the guilt would eclipse her euphoria by the time she turned off the tap and stepped out onto the heated tile of the bathroom floor, but all she felt was good. Scratch that. All she felt was amazing.

Staring at herself in the mirror, with one fluffy white towel around her body and another one twisted up in her hair, she brought her fingers to her lips.

That kiss …

The one in the rain.

If he hadn’t been holding onto her, she’d have crumpled to the ground for sure, because Bennett McEvoy was an expert at knowing how to sweep her off her feet.

Then there was that kiss in his office once they were dressed again—sort of.

The board shorts were way too big for her, and the hoodie was too small, but at least she wasn’t naked running up the hill to the house. And she’d kept her underwear on, despite how damp they were, and they kept the tissues in place until she was able to use the bathroom properly.

Memories of their impromptu morning made her smile grow wider. His stubble rubbed a bit of a rash on her cheeks, but she didn’t mind. Moving her fingers there, she touched the red splotchy skin gently and a small giggle pulled in her throat.

A soft, but determined, knock at her door diverted her attention. “Justine?”

Double checking that her towel was tight around her body, she went and opened the bedroom door to find Aya. “Good morning.”

Aya’s smile nearly touched her ears. “You’re awake!”

“I am.”

“You haven’t been awake the last three days when I knocked. Were you sick?”

Justine shook her head. “I, um … I had earplugs in. I’m sorry, sweetheart.”

Aya frowned, but it only lasted a moment before she smacked the big smile back on her face. “Are you coming to breakfast?”

“I, um …”

“Please. Please come.”

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