Page 22 of Single Dad's Second Chance

He was… jealous? Of another man trying to talk to me?

I couldn’t help a little laugh as he gave me my water. “Henry. He was…” I shook my head, too confused to make sense of this. He couldn’t be acting jealous when he had placed me so firmly in the category of “just an employee” or only a friend.

“He was flirting with you.” He put his glass on the table and leaned closer, standing in my space as he faced me.

“I think he was,” I agreed with a shrug. “But so what?”

I wasn’t interested.

“It’s not a big deal.”

He furrowed his brow.

“I mean…” I blinked, struggling to figure him out, to navigate why he’d be so upset. “It’s not like we’re here on a date.”

He stepped closer. One foot toward me. The nearness robbed me of my breath, but not as much as the heated look in his eyes.

“Why can’t we be?” he asked slowly as he lowered his mouth to mine.

9

HENRY

Don’t.

Don’t.

Don’t do it.

I held my breath, slanting closer to Mia’s lips, and I couldn’t talk myself out of it. I caved. Giving in had never felt as good as it did this moment. With the first contact of her mouth, so soft and warm against mine, I felt a charge of desire barrel through me. Liquid lust ran in my veins, and I tempered myself from holding her closer and devouring her.

She made a noise of surprise as I kissed her, but she didn’t back away. She didn’t retreat. Closing her eyes, she tipped her face up to me and accepted that I was making a move. I wished I could stake a claim, mark her as mine, and erase any idea of her being available to even think about another man.

Mine.

Fuck, I’d wanted her for so long, so badly. For months—no, for years—I’d wondered what it would be like to have and hold Mia. To taste the sweetness on her lips. To savor her essence.

Now that I’d crossed a clear line, kissing her, I refused to think about going back to the way things were. Because this was too perfect. She felt too damn good.

Tilting her head to the side, she gave me a better angle of access, seeking more of this heated, forbidden caress, her lips against mine, her breath mingling with my exhales. The press of her fingers registered on my chest, but not in a shove away. She curled her fingers, twisting the fabric slightly as she leaned against me, kissing me back as slowly, yet hungrily, as I did her.

Mine. You’re mine, Mia.I showed her my thoughts, naughty and taboo, as I raised my hand and gripped the back of her neck. Keeping her close, I kissed her harder, determined to slide my tongue in and really get a sample of her sweetness.

Pure desire coursed through me. Rabid need took over. Just one kiss, and I was lost in wanting all of her, in needing everything she could ever give me.

A soft moan escaped her as she shifted on her feet. Again, toward me. She wasn’t running. She wasn’t backing up in retreat. Kissing me back and lifting her face, she waited for me to smother her with my lips.

Before we could get carried away, though, someone called out.

“Henry?”

Fuck.Hearing Owen calling my name was the last thing I wanted to happen right now. I didn’t want any distractions with Mia reaching up to kiss me back. I wanted zero interruptions, now that I’d surprised her and received her matching interest.

“Henry.” He didn’t ask it then, stating my name louder with how much closer he’d come.

Mia heard him that time, too. She gasped in shock and leaned back, out of my reach. With how quickly she moved, she almost stumbled back, but I kept her upright. I lowered my hand from the back of her neck, but I caught her with both of my hands on her back. Hugging her loosely, I prevented her from tripping or getting too far back.

Her lips parted, wet from mine. Each of her hot breaths whipped at my chin. They were a testament to how ragged she was, how worked up and out of breath I’d rendered her. One look down tempted me to ignore my friend coming up behind me, but she stepped back. Her brows raised as she lowered her gaze, noticing Owen reaching us.

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