Page 69 of Rectify

Flames licked through her body, setting her blood aflame, as arousal flooded her senses. Her world narrowed to him. His touch. His scent. His need.

Aedan could scarcely believethat he finally had her back in his arms. This friend shit was damn hard work. So many times she’d brushed past him, smiled at him, hell, just looked his way, and his cock had surged to attention. He’d had to hold himself back from taking her into his arms and storming off to his bedroom to fuck her.

Knowing it wasn’t the time or the place, he still couldn’t resist cupping her breast with his hand.

Oh fuck, yeah.

He felt like an addict who’d rediscovered his drug of choice after a long, long dry period.

“Aedan, please,” she begged. “Take me.”

“God, I would like nothing more.” He stood with her held tightly in his arms, where she belonged.

“Mama?” Mateo asked as he walked into the kitchen, rubbing his eyes.

Aedan glanced down at Natalya, who appeared as dejected as he felt. “Later,” he whispered. “Once the monkey has gone to bed.”

She nodded, smiling up at him.

Aedan released her. “I was just about to make breakfast, buddy. What would you like?”

“Ice cream!”

“No ice cream.” Natalya gave them both a stern look.

Aedan winced. He’d only fed the kid ice cream once for breakfast and dealing with the outcome had unquestionably been punishment enough. Who knew one small boy could have so much destructive energy? Aedan had been exhausted by the time Mateo had run out of steam.

“I’ll just scramble some eggs,” he said hastily.

Natalya sent him a sassy wink. His cock surged painfully.

It was going to be a very long day.

11

Natalya nervously studied the park, trying to spot any threats. What had she been thinking, insisting she wanted to come here alone with Mateo? She wasn’t ready for this. Nausea bubbled in her stomach as she shifted her weight from foot to foot. The back of her neck itched. Someone was watching her. She was sure of it.

You’re being silly. No one is watching you.

Mateo waved at her as he ran by, thoroughly enjoying himself.

She forced herself to wave back even as she longed to reach out and snatch him.

“Your little boy is so cute.”

With a gasp, she jumped and turned to stare at the woman standing beside her. She was dressed in jeans and a sweater; her long, mousy hair was pulled back into a ponytail.

“Sorry, did I scare you?” the other woman asked curiously. She pointed at the kids. “My daughter loves the slide. I’m going to have a hell of a time getting her off it.”

Natalya quickly turned back to the children. How could she have taken her gaze off Mateo?

She slumped in relief as she saw him over by the swings.

“Umm, I have to go.” She knew she was being rude, but she didn’t care. She’d had enough. This had been a terrible idea. She wasn’t ready.

And she just wanted to go home. Back to Aedan.

“Mateo, we’re going home,” she said when she reached him.

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