Page 27 of Restrictions

I laugh and find my keys in my backpack, pulling them out to fidget with them in my hands. “I suppose so.”

“So, dinner then?”

I stare at him, shocked. He wastes no time. “Dinner?”

“Yeah. Food. A date? I need to study those eyes.”

“I don’t even know your name.”I’m a mother. I need to be careful and cautious. I always figured if I did start dating, I would do my research. But I have to admit this stranger has me tempted.

“William.”

“I’m Vivienne.”

“So, will you go out with me this Saturday, Vivienne?”

I should say no. I mean, right? I wasn’t lying when I said I might start dating soon, but I didn’t mean right away. “Yes.”

Whoops.

That just came out of my mouth. He smiles and pulls his phone out. “Can I have your number? I’ll text you to find out all the details?”

I nod and ramble the numbers before waving a quick goodbye andwalk out to my car.Did I really just accept? I’m going out on a date this Saturday? Me?

I pick up Sebastian, and when we get home, I’m still in a daze as he flies downstairs to his playroom and more than likely to find his uncle.

I put my stuff down on the kitchen counter and grab some water before heading downstairs to look for Sebastian. He’s playing happily in the playroom. I hear music coming from the gym and walk to the doorway, stopping when I see Asher.

He’s wearing a tight black muscle tank and shorts, covered in sweat from what appears to be an intense workout. His biceps flex tightly as he lifts a weight while lying down on the weight bench, and I stand there staring like a total sex-starved moron because holy shit.

He notices me, placing the weight back on the bar and sits up, lifting his tank top to wipe his forehead, showing way too much of his washboard abs for me to form actual words.

“Viv? You okay?”

I nod and try to wet my throat which is now completely dry, unlike my panties. Jesus. I do need to go out on a date. “Yeah.” I try to shake it off. Focus. “I’m fine. I was just wondering if you’re busy Saturday?”

He lowers his shirt and shakes his head. “No plans. Why?”

He lays back down and starts to lift again. As I watch his muscles flex, I struggle to remember why. “Um. I was wondering if you could watch Sebastian for a couple of hours.”

“Of course.” His breathing is labored as he lifts the weight above his head. “That’s part of our deal. What are you doing? Little mani/pedi?”

I laugh and lean against the door frame. “No actually... I have a date.”

That makes him pause his workout, placing the weight up and sitting again to face me. “A date? With who?”

“A guy from class. He just asked me today.”

His eyebrows furrow, and he looks more annoyed than I thought he would be. I mean, he’s the one who’s always telling me to loosen up. “What do you know about this guy?”

I lift my shoulders, feeling slightly embarrassed. “Not much. Just his name, but he seems nice.”

Asher stands from the weight bench and grabs a towel, using it to dry his face. “Seems nice? Really?”

“What?” I place a hand on my hip, growing irritated with his questioning. “I’m single. You and everyone else seem to think I’m uptight. Maybe a date with a handsome stranger would do me good.”

“How the fuck do you know he’s not a serial killer?”

“Really, Asher? He’s just a student, and we’re just going to dinner.”

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