Page 64 of Takes Two to Tango

Ever.

"I've been thinking a lot of things are a good idea," he said, his voice low. "Like I missed taking that shower with you. I had plans for that oil."

His hand slid up her arm to the delicate spot in the curve of her elbow. He stroked, causing liquid heat to unfurl inside her. He trailed one finger up her arm to where she'd rolled up the Warriors T-shirt before sliding it to the sensitive flesh beneath her arm. It should have tickled. It didn't. It inflamed.

"Rain check?" she said.

"Oh, yeah. Definitely." He smiled and she felt her toes curl in anticipation. Jeez, the man was sex on a stick. Hedonistic takeout. Drive-by orgasm. Not to mention, the Jake Ryan of her high school heart. The absolute in ideal guys. Not to mention, Brent was smart, good-natured, and her kid was half in love with him. Was there any better prospect for a nearly thirty-two year-old widow than Brent Hamilton?

Other than the fact he'd broken her heart once before?

And that's what stopped her.

That and the fact she hadn't planned on Brent happening. Her life was beyond shaky. Well, not shaky. Uncertain. If the Food Network deal fell through, she'd go back to Austin and pop into Oak Stand only on occasion. It wouldn't make sense to stay in Oak Stand, unless... She scratched the thought from her mind. Brent implied he wanted more than friendship, more than hot afternoon sex, but what did that mean? Dating?

Commitment? Marriage? Those questions had clogged her mind over the past forty-eight hours. She'd visited them again and again. And received no answer.

"So when can I redeem that rain check?" He leaned close and she thought he might kiss her, but he merely wanted to tempt her. He knew she was revved up. Such a tease.

"I don't know-"

"Let's go already, Mom. I'm starving." Henry edged past Brent and pulled the passenger door open. He tossed his baseball bag in then climbed inside before looking back expectantly. "Come on. Today."

Rayne stared at her son through the glass. She looked at Brent. He scowled.

''Watch your manners," Brent said, propping a hand on the top of the car and leaning toward Henry.

"Huh?” her son said.

Rayne could have been offended at having Brent fuss at her son. But something about it felt good. It felt like something a coach should address. Or a... father.

"It should besir,"Rayne said.

"Oh." Henry said looking puzzled. "Huh, sir?

"You didn't say ‘excuse me’ and you interrupted our conversation. You also shouldn't demand things of your mother. She deserves your respect." Brent's tone was matter-of-fact.

Henry's mouth fell open a little before shame crept into his cheeks. He turned as red as she had earlier. "Sorry, Mom. And, uh, Coach."

Rayne sighed. Another thing she'd gotten wrong in Parenting 101. Great. She needed to pay better attention to how Henry addressed her and other adults. Brent had pinched her toes a bit stepping on them. But he'd further cemented the idea that Henry needed some male guidance in his life. But did that mean Brent should be that form of guidance?

"Thank you for apologizing," Rayne said with a small smile. "Now get your fanny into the backseat."

Henry's shoulders sank and he blew out a disgusted breath. "Fine."

She cleared her throat.

"I mean, yes, ma'am."

Brent nudged her shoulder when she gave her own heavy sigh. "He's a good boy. Don't overanalyze."

She tossed Brent a weak smile. Things felt so heavy. She felt laden with too much, and adding Brent to the mix had felt right in one sense, but her head also refused to believe a love interest in the midst of upheaval was a good idea. She'd always been good at following her head. This time she'd ignored the alarms and clanging bells of warning that begged her to slow down. Listening to her heart? Not so much. Hearts got girls in trouble.

"I'll pick you up at five-thirty. I need to get there a little early," Brent said, closing the passenger door and giving Henry a wave.

She walked to the driver's side. "I'll be ready."

But her words felt hollow.

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