Page 24 of Strength

“She’s one of the social workers. She works a lot of shifts at the house.”

“The house?”

“Corporate Caresworks a little differently to other foster care groups. We don’t send kids out to foster homes. Instead, we bring them into a shared home environment where they can make their own little family on more or less their own terms. It teaches them how to be responsible and look out for their foster brothers, and also gives them structure that they may not have had before. I visit frequently to have sessions with the boys in a more relaxed environment.”

“That’s wonderful.” If only these kinds of services were available for single parents like myself, then maybe Charlie and I wouldn’t have to struggle the way we do day in and day out. I knew Charlie would benefit from an environment such as the one Emmett described.

While I was friends with Latisha, I was careful about choosing the days I let her watch Charlie—which were the days her husband was working out of town. He was an aggressive man who often intimidated everyone in the apartment block, including his wife and kids. I didn’t want to expose Charlie to that kind of behaviour.

“What did I lose you to?”

I shook myself out of my thoughts. “Nothing bad. I’m impressed, that’s all. People like you are real heroes.”

“I don’t think of myself that way. I just like to do good.”

I gazed up at him with a shy smile. “Hero.”

Emmett lowered his mouth to my ear. “I desperately want to kiss you right now, but I think I ought to behave at a work function.”

I lifted my face toward his. “Is our night over once this function is?”

“I hope not.”

One corner of my mouth quirked up. “Okay, then.”

I felt his fingers trace over my arm. “Are you going to tell me what you mean by that?”

I turned away and pretended to think about his question. “I think I’d much prefer to make you sweat.”

Emmett’s arm encircled me and he pulled me back against him. I gasped at the feel of him behind me. “Or is it you who’s sweating?” I felt his breath against my ear, and it made me shiver.

All it took was a touch or a glance or some sexy words and I was putty in this man’s hands.

“Come home with me, Olivia.”

“Alright.”

My heart was pounding so hard as we slipped out of the auction, I couldn’t even hear the staccato sound of my heels against the hard floor in the hallway. When we reached the parking lot, we both began to head for our cars.

Emmett stopped me. “Come in mine.”

“I don’t want to leave my car here overnight. I’ll follow you.” Off his hesitant look, I added, “I promise.”

Emmett kissed me. I pressed myself against him and relished the feel of tongue stroking mine. Before we got too heated, he broke it off. His eyes were ablaze with desire. “That’s a promise of what’s to come.”

I rested my hands on his chest. “See you there, then.”

We parted ways and I headed to where my car was parked. I avoided the temptation of glancing back at him as I licked my lips.

* * *

I pushed my car door closed with my hip as I looked over at the cute little beach house built out of natural timber and huge glass windows that would offer a fantastic view over the beach and ocean during the daytime. It constantly fascinated me how close to the ocean they were allowed to build houses here in L.A.—so close, I swear some risked being washed away in the next high tide. There were strict building restrictions where I was from in Australia to protect both the coastline and people’s properties. This place, however, was up on the dunes away from the ebb and flow of the ocean itself. Emmett was a smart man.

I pulled my gaze away from the house and caught him staring at me patiently.

He leaned back against his Corvette. “What do you think?”

I walked over to him. “I’ll reserve my judgment until after I see the inside. I mean, what if you’re a slob?”

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