Page 76 of Everlasting Promises

My shoulders slump as my heart rate slows. “Okay.” I point over my shoulder with my thumb. “I need to shower. I’m running late.”

“I’ll get your things ready for you. Go!” She flicks her fingers at me in a shooing motion.

When I come downstairs after my shower, I hurry into the kitchen, heading straight for my boy. “Good morning. How’d you sleep?” I lean down, press a kiss to the top of his head, and breathe him in.

“Okay. How come Ben’s truck is still across the street?”

I knew this question was coming, so I concocted a story while I was in the shower. “Sebastian came back and picked him up because his truck wouldn’t start.”

He scoops more cereal into his mouth. “Oh, okay.”

Phew. I hate lying to him, but I don’t want him to know Ben spent the night here. It feels disrespectful to Wyatt to have another man stay in his home. The one he paid for and continues to pay for. The guilt I was feeling earlier rears its ugly head once again.

“Hi, sweetie.” Mom grins and places my favorite cup on the counter.

I kiss her cheek. “Hi, Mom. Sorry, I can’t stop. I’m running late.”

“That’s okay. We’ll chat later,” she says with a knowing look. “I’ve made you a breakfast sandwich you can eat on the way, and here’s your coffee.”

I grab the cup and take a sip, noting my wine glass from last night draining on the sink. “Thanks, Mom. You’re the best.” Collecting the sandwich, I scoot past Evan. “Have a good day at school, and I’ll see you in the pick-up line.”

“Okay.” He collects his empty bowl, takes it to the sink, and I head out the front door to my car.

Once I’m secure inside, I finally take a breath.

Shit, that was close!

35

HOPE

I pullinto the parking lot behind the salon, and Sophie, Lucy, and Savannah are already waiting for me. Lucy’s grin is almost as obnoxious as Mom’s this morning, and I think I know why. She left with Sebastian yesterday, and I swear I could smell their pheromones in the air.

The minute I climb out of my car, Savannah calls out, “Any particular reason you’re late this morning? Wouldn’t have anything to do with a certain hottie named Ben?” She wiggles her eyebrows up and down.

I guess I should have expected an inquisition this morning after the girls met him yesterday. There’s no way they would let something so juicy go. I decide it’s best to deflect. “How’s Sebastian?” I ask Lucy with a raised brow, then shove the key into the lock of the back door into the salon.

Her face flushes pink, but not from embarrassment. She fans herself. “So hot!” We all giggle. “I can barely walk this morning, but you will not hear me make one single complaint. What they say about firefighters and their hoses … completely true!”

The four of us break into peals of laughter as we separate to set up for the day. Phew! My plan worked. Once everything is set up, I lean against my work area and sip of my coffee while I take a moment to breathe. Everything was such a rush from the minute Mom and Evan came home; I haven’t had a moment to recalibrate.

A man, other than my husband, gave me a powerful orgasm this morning.

And I know once the euphoria wore off, I fell apart, but while it was happening, it felt fantastic. I’d forgotten what it was like to be kissed like that. Like I was the beginning and end of everything. It was heady, and as upset as I was once reality snuck in, I know, without a doubt, that I want a repeat.

Hopefully next time, I won’t break into a million pieces and ruin the moment. I also don’t want anything between us. I want to feel him moving inside me. Feel his hands and mouth all over my skin. Trace my mouth and fingers all over his. I dip my head to look at my boots as my cheeks heat.

I shake my head and blow out a long breath.

I’m all over the place.

One minute, I feel as though I’m cheating on my husband. The next, I want to do it all over again. I can’t keep up.What the hell is wrong with me?I’m not this girl. I’ve never been so confused. Surely this isn’t normal.

Logically, I know it’s not cheating. Wyatt’s gone and he’s never coming back, and after my last conversation with the girls, I realize he wouldn’t want me to be alone for the rest of my life—I thought as much this morning before things went as far as they did. He’d want me to find happiness. To find love again.But can I?

Ben said he’s prepared to wait for me. He’s been patient, understanding, compassionate, and he’s never pushed me. Both times anything’s happened between us have been because I’veinitiated it. And even then, he’s let me take what I’ve wanted from him without any pressure.

At what point will he think it’s all too hard and walk away? Or does he really mean what he says?

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