Page 33 of Single Dad's Second Chance

I’d fantasized about this man. I’d dreamed about him. But in this moment. So close and seemingly alone for a fluke instance in this shaded tent… I felt raw and rabid with lust to the point that I’d start drooling or panting.

“I’m having fun,” he confessed. “With you.”

“Me too.”

“You’re having fun with you too?” He reached out, his finger moving through the air to connect with mine, but he seemed to have second thoughts as he lowered it before making contact.

“I’m having fun with you,” I clarified, pushing at his chest slightly.

He was quick, snapping his hand up to keep mine pressed there. Beneath the T-shirt that strained over his muscles, his heart raced. I pressed harder, just barely, with the tips of my fingers to feel the steady, fast thump.

I wasn’t alone in this. He was experiencing the same tension, the same excitement and thrill that I was at being alone and close.

“Your heart’s so fast,” I said. “I thought all that running was supposed to make you super fit and lean. Heart healthy and all.”

He swallowed, claiming that last foot that stood between us. Almost flush to him, my hand kept captive under his on his chest, it seemed like an intimate alternative to a hug. Our arms pressed together, the only buffer between us, but with the molten burn of his blue eyes on me, I felt strapped and bound tohim, to this desire sparking and crackling between us like a live wire.

“Of course, it’s racing. I’m near?—”

“Hey, hey, hey!”

I flinched at the sound of a hand slapped on the wooden counter. Henry sighed, closing his eyes for a moment and mouthing a short line of profanity. I jumped back, whipping around to face Owen.

“Hey!”

“Thirsty?” Henry asked wryly, as though he wished he could punch his best friend for interrupting.

“Yeah. I think I am. Whatever you’ve got on tap.” Owen smiled at me. “How’s it going so far?”

“Busy. But fun.”Even if you prevented me from getting another kiss from the man of my dreams.“Having a good time out th?—”

“I need a mojito. Like, now.” Ann stepped closer to the bar from behind Owen. She paused in frowning at the loud, rowdy picnickers surrounding us, partying it up like we liked to. Peering at me from over the top of her sunglasses, she sniffed, like I was an incompetent hired help. Not a person.

“A mojito?” Owen chuckled, ever the easygoing one to defuse any situation. “Nah. You need a picnic drink.”

“Abeer?” Ann sneered. “I don’t think so. A mojito. Now.”

“Noplease?” I snapped back, racking my brain for how to even make a mojito. I recalled Gina once saying they took too long to make, so she seldom ever ordered them.

“I doubt we have all the ingredients to create a mojito,” Henry said, giving Owen his beer. “Think simpler.” Then he snapped his fingers and pointed at his friend. “As a matter of fact, maybe you two could step in for us for a minute.” He tugged at his T-shirt collar. “We could use a break for a while. That way, you can see what’s back here to make whatever drink you want.”

“Sure. I can do that. I mean, you don’t mind, right?” Owen faced Ann.

“What?” She grimaced. “You expect me to work?”

“Volunteering. Remember how you were saying volunteering is as important to you as philanthropy is?” Henry took my hand and guided me to the exit flap in the tent.

Owen met us there, and Henry patted his back. “I owe you one,” he said softly.

Ann was still whining, following Owen as he told Henry, “Yeah, you fucking do. Now get lost and have some fun.”

“Thanks,” I whispered to Owen as Henry tugged me further from the tent. He didn’t let me go, and I wasn’t in a rush to correct him. Freedom tasted sweet, and with his touch, his fingers wrapped around mine, I felt positively giddy out here.

“We were due a break sooner or later,” Henry reasoned.

“Hey, you don’t have to justify it to me. I feel bad for him, though.” I pointed at the food booths. “Want to get dinner?”

“You asking me out?” he teased before releasing my fingers.

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