Page 30 of Single All the Way

Without pulling away, I looked up at his face again, and he gazed down at me. The air changed, became charged, and my pulse picked up speed.

I saw him lowering his head, coming closer. On some level I recognized he was going to kiss me, and I wanted that too. I didn’t stop to think about it, just went with it as his lips touched mine.

My eyes fluttered closed as everything female in me responded to him, his lips soft but demanding. I wanted to give him everything he needed.

He pulled me even closer, flush against his body, as we explored each other’s mouth. His hands trailed down to my hips, and my sluggish brain registered his erection pressing into me. I moaned, loving that I could still have that effect on a man.

Ben put a little space between us and moved one hand to my face as he lightened the kiss, then kissed my forehead.

My senses were reeling, still trying to catch up when he spoke, his voice gravelly.

“It’s been a hard day. We both need to get to bed.” He hugged me again, his chin resting on the top of my head as I burrowed into his chest.

I nodded, still going with sensation more than thoughts, loving how it felt to be in his arms. Warm, safe, not alone.

Only later, when I was tucked into my bed by myself, would I wonder what the hell I’d been doing kissing Ben.

ChapterNine

Ben

Happy fucking Turkey Day, I thought to myself as I put out kibble for the barn cats then headed toward the house, the three dogs playing tag with each other and getting their morning stretch.

Thanksgiving had dawned cold but sunny while I was tending to the horses and llamas. Arguably a gorgeous morning for late November, but I wasn’t feeling it.

I was feeling more like the proverbial turkey and in a foul mood, no pun intended. Sleep-deprived, worried, and pissed at myself. For once, the dogs’ antics weren’t pulling me out of it.

I never, ever should’ve kissed Emerson.

After a fitful night, I still didn’t know what the fuck I’d been thinking. Obviously my brain had shut down, and my body had done whatever the hell it wanted to, consequences be damned.

I wasn’t sure what those consequences would be, but I’d soon find out.

“Daddy we’re done!” Ruby called out.

She and Xavier had decided to help Evelyn with the chickens today, probably because they’d sensed I wasn’t in a fun-loving mood the second I’d woken them up.

“Everything go okay?” I asked as the three kids made their high-energy way toward me, the dogs racing to greet them.

“We got seven eggs!” Xavier hollered.

“That’s a decent haul,” I said halfheartedly, making a point of smiling when they caught up to me.

I wasn’t in the mood for company, too mired in regret and self-disgust, but alone time was a luxury for a single dad and not happening anytime soon. Barn time was usually it, and that hadn’t lasted nearly long enough today to put a dent in my mood.

I didn’t need to worry about making more chicken conversation though because the three of them ran the rest of the way to the house, the dogs at their heels, leaving me in the dust.

I slowed my steps, trying to make the walk from barn to kitchen last a little longer, nervous about facing Emerson.

Upon entering the house, I found a fully cooked breakfast on the dining table, three kids pouring themselves juice and digging into bacon, eggs, and toast, the dogs at their water bowls, and no sign of Emerson.

She’d obviously cooked, as she’d been doing daily while the three oldest kids and I handled chores. Skyler was still adapting, most days sleeping until breakfast was ready.

“Where’s your mom?” I asked Xavier as I walked into the dining room.

He shrugged. “Must be upstairs getting ready or helping Sky,” he said, unbothered. He was the most easygoing kid I’d ever known.

Back in the kitchen, I poured myself a second travel mug of coffee and wondered if Emerson was avoiding me or if she was doing what her son had suggested.

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