Page 41 of Sugar Pie
With twelve boys, parents, and their families, I half imagined a castle table long enough for state dinners. “That must be quite a table.”
He opened my door for me, and for that second it was like the world didn’t exist outside of us. “My mother will ensure that we’re all well-fed and that we stay connected.”
“I like that.” My lips tingled for another kiss.
My eyelids fluttered, but then he left my side and headed around. He hopped beside me and asked, “Should we go out to dinner?”
Maybe I was wrong about everything and didn’t need to stress. If all he wanted was a no-pressure relationship, I would be happy. But dinner meant talking, and if we continued, I would wonder if we were in for the long haul. I couldn’t offer that, so I shook my head. “I want to go home, I think.”
He started the truck. “You seem pensive.”
I’d almost changed my mind about dinner out and talking, and my cheeks heated as I nodded. “Only for a minute.” Every second with Warren made me ache with temptation and desire.
His phone rang. I sat back and handed it to him. “Answer your phone. It’s Gerard.”
He answered and after hellos, he asked his brother, “What’s going on?”
I glanced out the window on the short drive. Warren would make an amazing dad. But however quickly that thought hit me, I wasn’t ready to think about family and another relationship. My divorce was fresh.
He said, “I’m glad you told her to move out.”
I tilted my head. I hadn’t expected to listen, but it sounded like his brother was in a tough spot.
Warren then said, “You’ll find someone better.”
True. Warren might too. We weren’t a forever thing even if I saw myself with him and his children. It was clearly a daydream that ended in the blink of an eye.
“Talk to you soon,” he said into the phone.
We were almost home, and I needed to get out of my own head. “Your brother’s girlfriend?”
“She tried to move back into the condo. He’d been away, and when he came home today, she was there and had clearly been living in his place.”
Wow. I pressed my hand on his heart. “After she cheated on him.”
We stopped at a red light, and he briefly met my gaze. “He felt guilty about kicking her out.”
I took his hand. Touching him sent a burning need through me. “I don’t get why she’d come back after she destroyed any chance of a relationship. I’d never go back to Romeo, and he didn’t cheat on me, as far as I know.”
The light turned green. He winked and proceeded on. “Not everyone is you.” Once our small building came into view, he asked, “You sure you don’t want to go out and maybe get a drink?”
I didn’t want to promise a relationship. It was better not to go out. I sighed. Once he parked, I said, “No. All day, I kept thinking about the kiss and how we should keep things casual.”
He turned toward me. “I don’t want anything casual with you. You get all jittery when we discuss ‘us.’”
“I can’t. It’s not that easy.” I would never hurt him on purpose. I swallowed and scooted closer.
He lowered his lids as if to kiss me. “Good, because I want you.”
I threw my arms around him. I desired him more than I’d ever wanted anyone in my life. Our lips met, and his kiss burned through me.
We came up for air, and I scooted away. “Let’s go upstairs.”
Maybe if he saw that casual was better, we would both be better off. Forever wasn’t a good fit for me.
20
Warren
