Page 5 of My Forbidden Holidate

She jumps a little and tilts her head back to gaze up at me, her honey brown eyes wide in wonder. “What’d you do that for?”

Pressing my thumb against her bottom lip, I lean in close. “Because…” Her eyes flicker to my lips and I nearly lose my control. “You’re mine for the night, Hayden. And I like to touch what’s mine.”

I should ask her if that’s okay— that’s what a gentleman would do. It’s not like we’re a real couple. Notyet.I shouldn’t take advantage of our situation.

But Hayden’s eyelashes flutter as she leans into me, and that’s all the permission I need.

If my girl wants to be touched tonight, I’ll gladly fulfill her wishes— even the ones she can’t bring herself to say aloud.

* * *

The air is brisk,but our pace is leisurely as we stroll down the sidewalk toward the park. To our right is one of my favorite open-air markets. Star loves to come here on Fridays when one of the restaurants has live music echoing down the street.

“Wanna head that way?” I ask, nodding toward the signs advertising couples’ dinners and Valentine’s Day deals. String lights of warm whites and pinks crisscross overhead, inviting us in. Laughter peels out from unseen couples, and I wonder if a crowd —or a present— will help Hayden relax more.

She turns toward the market and her eyes widen. “Oh! That looks so cute! Can we?”

“It’s your night,” I remind her, squeezing her hand. “We’ll go anywhere you want.”

Now giddy with excitement, she leads me across the crosswalk and we join the throng of people window shopping. Little boutiques, cafés, and bookstores filter into view as we get closer. At each window, Hayden nearly flattens her nose against the glass to see what’s inside.

If Star were here, she’d be doing the same thing, and I find myself taken by the idea of the three of us shopping here together on a Friday afternoon.

Hayden catches me watching her and smiles. “What? Do I have a leaf in my hair or something?”

“Nothing like that,” I laugh, wrapping my arm around her waist and pressing a kiss to her temple. “I’m just picturing us here together again.”

“That would be wonderful! I want to check out every single shop here!”

“We have time to check out a few of them now. We’re not in any rush.”

“But the park,” Hayden hums, scrunching up her eyebrows. “I guess we can go to the park another time.”

“Is there something special about the park?”

Her eyes widen, and she shakes her head vigorously. “No!”

Yes, there’s definitely something special about the park.

My smiles come easily with Hayden, and I find myself enjoying simply strolling along and chatting with her. This is my first date in years, and she’s the only person I’ve been interested in since the divorce. Talking with her has always been easy when we’re at the house, and I’m delighted to find that it’s the same here. What’s even more is that she’s opening up about her interests without Star around to pull our attention.

I’m learning more about her, and everything’s clicking perfectly.

After a stretch of comfortable silence, I spot the shop I was waiting for. “Hey, come here.”

Pulling Hayden by the waist, I swing her around in front of one of the most brightly lit windows on the thoroughfare. The warm light splays over her skin, making her even more radiant than she already was.

“Want a kiss?” I ask.

Her smile freezes in place as her eyes widen. “I, uh—”

Nodding toward the window display full of chocolate treats, I laugh. “I’ll give you all the kisses you want. Mind if we go inside? I owe Star something for tonight.”

“Not at all!” Hayden claps her hands in delight and eyes the sweets in the window. “I’ll take you up on that kiss.Several.” She smiles sweetly and steps toward the door. “C’mon!”

I follow her inside the crowded chocolatier shop and delight in the way her eyes sparkle as she fawns over the display cases. “Get anything you want.”

She turns and rushes up toward me. “Are you sure? You still need to get something for Star.” Her gaze drifts toward a row of chocolate pralines and I can practically see the numbers going off in her head.

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