Page 10 of My Forbidden Holidate

Slowly, he hooks his fingers in my panties and drags them down my thighs, helping me step out of them. He shoves the garment into his back pocket before draping one of my knees over his shoulder, giving him perfect access to my molten core.

I bite my lip and gaze down atmy man, the one I’ve been dreaming about and pining after for months, as he smiles wickedly up at me. “Remember…” He holds up a finger to his lips for just a second, reminding me to be quiet. Then, he licks his lips and dives in, swiping his tongue against my clit and groaning as he feasts on my desire. Without my moans filling the air, all I can hear is howwetI am as he explores my sex, kissing and licking and devouring my soul along with my body.

I claw his shoulder as the heat pools in my belly, and he sucks my clit into his mouth one more time and I come undone, falling into his arms as pleasure explodes through my body.

“You’re perfect,” he breathes, kissing my lips and carrying me to the bed. “So perfect for me.”

He helps me out of my dress and gives me one of his t-shirts to wear to bed, and after he’s undressed to only his boxers, we curl up together under the sheets. “Thank you for going out with me tonight, Hayden. And for staying the night.” Kissing my shoulder, he wraps his arms around me and pulls me into his chest. “You’ve made me a very happy man.”

Nothing about what just happened was PG-13, but knowing that I made Dan happyandearned some experience points makes my heart overflow with happiness.

“I love you,” I mumble sleepily, already drifting off. I’m warm and safe and loved, and everything about this man and his family screamsyesto me. I’ve loved him for a long time. I don’t want to hold back any longer.

Dan holds me tighter, and I can feel his smile on the back of my neck. “Sweet dreams, Hayden.”

6

Dan

Blueberry pancakes have never looked so good before. Wearing my t-shirt and a pair of my plaid pajama pants as she makes breakfast with Star, Hayden brings a welcome warmth to my home. Star expertly mixes the pancake batter as Hayden heats up the pan and cuts the blueberries into smaller pieces. They have the routine down perfectly, which tells me that they’ve done this dozens of times before.

Watching them both work so well together makes my attraction to Hayden increase tenfold. I already knew I wanted her before last night, but now I know for sure.

I don’t just want this woman tobe mine;I want her to be mywife.

“Do you want butter on yours?” Hayden asks, glancing at me over her shoulder.

“I want them however you normally make them. They smell delicious.”

Star giggles and says that they should put ketchup on them, but Hayden expertly nips that idea in the butt.

She’s perfect for our family. Hell, she’salreadypart of the family. I’m just the last person to know.

Footsteps pad down the hallway and my mother appears, fully dressed for the day and ready to leave. She takes one look at Hayden and her eyes narrow. “Well. This isn’t what I was expecting this morning.”

“Makin’ pancakes!” Star exclaims excitedly.

“I see that.” Mom’s lips spread into a thin line and she turns her ire toward me. “Care to introduce me to your guest, Daniel? She clearly knows her way around your kitchen.”

Hayden’s shoulders stiffen as she flips a pancake. That’s not good. I won’t have my mother run her out of here.

Standing and walking over toward my girls, I wrap my arm around Hayden’s waist and press a kiss to her curls. “Don’t worry,” I murmur, rubbing her hip affectionately. “She barks harder than she bites.”

“That doesn’t make me feel any better!” Hayden hisses quickly before I spin her around.

“Mom, this is Hayden.”

“The babysitter,” my mom clips, clearly unimpressed. “I thought you knew better than to taste side dishes before you’ve had your entrée, dear.”

Hayden’s face flushes crimson and anger sparks in my chest. “Hayden is mygirlfriend, and I won’t have you speak that way about her.”

“You’re too old for girlfriends,” my mom continues, unfazed. “When are you going to get serious about your family, Daniel? You have Star to think about.”

Star senses something wrong and steps down from her stool to hug both me and Hayden, burying her face in our legs.

“Iamthinking about Star. About both of us.” Rubbing the top of Star’s head to let her know everything’s okay, I detangle myself from her and walk over toward my mother. I’m no stranger to her judgment, but after she berated me for divorcing a woman who no longer loved me, I’ve long since stopped taking her opinions to heart.

“Hayden is part of this family. If that bothers you, I’m sorry, but you aren’t welcome here until you can be more… civil about it.”

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