Page 20 of Three More Shots
"You help me in ways you don't even realize."
Now she has me curious. "What do you mean?"
"I'd get scared here alone by myself. I was always afraid if someone broke in, if something happened, I wouldn't be able to protect Ainsley. With you here, on my sofa, I feel so safe. Because of you, I can finally relax. Because of you, I’ve actually gotten a good night's sleep four nights in a row."
I want to tell her sleeping is going to be the last thing we're doing tomorrow. Instead, I confirm I’m pleased with her trust in me. "I'm glad you feel safe."
“You make me feel beautiful too.” Which she totally is when her flushed face shines up to mine. “You always compliment me and…I mean...no one has ever done that before.”
"I only speak the truth. You're gorgeous and brave and determined and—”
"You don't have to keep sweet-talking me. I'm saying yes...kind of."
Her giggle from my frown is actually perfect. I like her having more confidence with me, even enough to shut me down if that opens her up to my suggestion. "Okay, what's that supposed to mean?"
The courage flickers a bit, and her gaze and her hands fall to my shirt, smoothing down the fabric that needs to be gone anyway since I want her skin to skin so damn bad.
“Ainsley has her Social Skills group on Saturday afternoon. I hadn’t said anything about it because I wanted to see how things went first. Usually, when she’s there, I get my errands done, like going to the grocery store or picking up her prescriptions. But since I don’t need to do those, I’d like to spend the time with you. Just me and you…”
The necessity to tread lightly is glaringly obvious. Despite my tendency to argue that she didn’t need to see how things went. She thinks she needs to protect her child and her heart. I get it, even if I don’t agree with it. "I want that too. What time do I pick you up?"
Her headshake is not the answer I wanted. Nor the blush nor the shame.
"We have to follow her normal routine. I'll take her and get her settled at the center and then meet you back here."
One small tweak to an almost perfect plan. I'll be fucking glad when I can drive my girls like they deserve. "I'll agree to that, except I want you to come to my house. To see what I'm offering you when you're able to accept."
The smile returns. "I'd like that. To see your home and learn more about you."
"You know everything there is to know. I want you."
Proof from my hardening dick under her ass causes her to roll her eyes. I think she's lying though. Pretending to be annoyed by my one-track mind until I feel the slight sway of her hips. The involuntary reaction of her body to the simplest language there is between a man and a woman, blurring the already fuzzy line between lust and love, because fuck me, if I'm not already falling in love with her.
And, her with me, even if she won't admit it.
Chapter Seven
I barely allowher to set down her bag or take off her sunglasses before I’m on her. I can’t fucking help it. After begging me to keep Ainsley’s normal routine of taking her to her class alone, I’m ravenous for her. She’s right – she’s always right. If I had picked them up at her duplex, driven them to the center and escorted them inside, Ains would've flipped out from all the change. But those are the things I want to do. I want to be involved and participate in every minute. I can’t. Not yet. I have to be patient and understanding and smart. "I'm glad you're here,cara."
"Me too."
With her enormous smile, I think she means it, but her shivering makes me question her sincerity. "Then why are you shaking?"
Her glorious laugh bounces off the marble, and it takes everything I've got not to strip her down and fuck her in the foyer.
"I feel so reckless and wild, like a kid skipping school. Usually, I'm at Walmart right now or the food bank, and instead, I'm in this beautiful home with you."
Fucking food bank. It's ridiculous her ex left her in a position she has to provide for her child by receiving hand-outs when he has plenty of money to support both of them. Ire leads to violence, and killing him is the last thing I want to do at this moment. I'll save that for later and shove the thoughts of the bastard out of my head. He'll be taken care of soon enough. Right now, I want to focus on her. "You're what's beautiful."
How is it possible for her to smile even more? Somehow she does, filling my palms with her cheeks.
"And you're so generous. How did you manage to fill my gas tank without me knowing?"
So much more she doesn't know yet, like her rent and utilities auto paid directly out of my account, but we'll leave the surprises at her car for now. "I'm just happy you're not arguing with me about it."
"It's wrong, and I should be, but I know you're going to have all these reasons and won't give in. So this time I will because I just want to enjoy our afternoon." Her expression glistens with joy I haven't seen since I met her. "This is the first time I've had something to look forward to in a really long time."
Until the grin fades with the usual uncertainty sneaking back in. "Ginger said spending this time with you doesn't make me a bad mom, especially since I'd be away from Ainsley anyway. She's having fun and not even thinking about me."
