Page 74 of Unexpected Kisses

Glancing over the door to AJ, he shrugs. “How about you come back to my place? We can order pizza for—”

“Yay, pizza!” Colton shouts.

AJ and I chuckle. “Dinner and hang out,” AJ finishes.

“Please, Aunty Sarah,” Colton pleads with puppy dog eyes and it’s impossible to refuse his cute little face.

“Okay. But I’ll follow you.” I thumb over my shoulder toward my car on the opposite side of the lot.

“All right. See you at home,” AJ whispers. Pulling me in close he drags his bristly cheek along mine to plant a kiss on my lips. His body presses against mine, reminding me of our kiss earlier, but this time we have little eyes watching, so I pull away.

I follow behind the guys, with Colton waving to me every so often, and when we pull up to AJ’s home, he opens a garage door that has space for two cars. He points at the space, indicating I should park inside, so I do. While AJ’s helping Colton out of his booster seat, I grab his backpack and we head inside with Colton holding my hand. It’s hard not to skip ahead into the future and imagine us coming home from a day out as a family.

Geez, he kissed me and I’ve already got our future mapped out.Slow down, girl!

AJ hands Colton his backpack. “How about you take this upstairs to your bedroom?”

He has his own bedroom here? I shouldn’t be surprised since they’re so close.

“Okay.” Colton grabs the bag and heads upstairs.

“I usually have Colton overnight once a month to give Hayley and Lisa a break,” he explains. “Though, it’s probably been closer to six weeks since he’s been here. I’m not sure how that happened.” I can see AJ working through his memory trying to figure out why it’s been so long.

He sets about washing his hands and preparing a healthy snack for his nephew, then rolls a cart full of Duplo blocks, books, and toys out from beneath the stairs. It’s only now I notice there are several cupboards, each of which must pull out. What an ingenious use of space.

We spend the afternoon creating questionable buildings, reading stories, and playing hide and seek with Colton, who obviously adores his uncle. AJ’s a natural with him. They share a level of comfort with each other which is plain to see. Being fortunate enough to spend this time with them is giving me an insight into AJ as a father and my heart skips as I watch him with his nephew; he’s going to make a great dad one day. Perhaps to a child we create together if what he confessed is true. I squeal a little on the inside as I think back to earlier. It was scary to open up to him and share my honest thoughts and feelings, but he didn’t balk at all. He was open and willing to lay my fears to rest.

“Okay, little man. Time for me to order our pizza. Shall I get our usual?”

“Yeah!” Colton shouts excitedly.

“I should go and let you guys enjoy your evening.”

“No, have pizza with us.” Colton grips my hand, preventing my retreat and I glance up at AJ.

“Stay. Eat with us. Once he’s in bed, we can take up where we left off earlier.” He winks. Now that’s an invitation too good to refuse. How things have changed in less than forty-eight hours.

I glance between the two and relent. “Okay.”

Colton cheers loudly, jumping around the room as though his favorite TV characters have stopped in for a visit.

“What pizza do you like? We usually have Hawaiian because Colton loves picking off the pineapple.”

“I love anything. But I especially love Hawaiian pizza. You might want to order double pineapple.” I giggle.

AJ pulls me in close, his sexy scent surrounding me and sending my senses haywire. “You’re made for me, Cupcake,” he whispers and I chuckle. I guess he’s happy I like pineapple on my pizza.

AJ makes the call to order the pizza, and we continue to play while we wait for it to be delivered. As soon as it arrives, we wash up for dinner and dig in.

“This is great. I have to admit, it’s been a long time since I’ve indulged in pizza.”

“Me too,” says Colton, and I chuckle because he sounded like an old man.

The evening moves swiftly once dinner is finished and Colton’s bathed and tucked into bed after two stories and several hugs, leaving AJ and me to our night. Anticipation for what’s to come fills my body and the ache that AJ stoked in me earlier today, returns. I make a bathroom stop and when I return downstairs, soft music is playing over the speakers and the lights have been dimmed. AJ waits for me in the middle of his living room with his hand outstretched. Butterflies erupt in my stomach as I step toward him, appreciating his masculinity. He gives me one of his signature smiles and tugs me into him the second my hand connects with his, holding it between our bodies.

We dance to the soft music, his other hand on my ass, holding me firmly to him and scorching my skin through the flimsy fabric of my dress. “Thanks for helping me with Colton,” he whispers against my ear, sending goosebumps cascading over my skin. I wrap my free hand around the back of his neck, sifting the soft strands at his nape through my fingers.

“You didn’t need my help. It was so sweet watching you guys together. He idolizes you.” AJ’s warm breath coats the side of my neck with his chuckle.

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