Page 4 of My Forbidden Holidate

She’s adorable when she’s nervous, and it’s a stark difference to how she acts in my home. Around Star and me, she’s always been so level-headed or even a bit silly when playing games with Star. But now, when looking at Hayden as my date instead of my babysitter, it’s like she’s uncomfortable. Like she doesn’t know what to do with herself.

As adorable as it is, my goal for the night has shifted fromgetting through the blind datetomake Hayden as comfortable as possible.She’s a beautiful woman and having her around my family has always filled my heart with joy. She’s so good with Star, and I’ve caught myself thinking of her as more than just our babysitter more than once.

I’ve wanted her for a while. I’m not sure when it started, but it’s all led up to this moment. If fate has anything to do with tonight, I’ll thank all the gods —hell, evenCupid—for making this happen.

Within the span of five seconds, my goal shifts again. Now, I can’t help the hope and desire spreading through my veins.

Make Hayden mine.

Not just for one night, but for eternity.

“I’m not wearing any red,” Hayden says innocently, still giggling. “I promise you that.”

I was referring to her blush when I mentioned the red, but she’s definitely wearing red elsewhere. Tapping my fingertip to my temple, I nod toward her. “You’re wearing the rose I gave you.”

“Oh!” She touches the flower pinned in her hair and her posture relaxes a little. “It’s beautiful. And I wanted you here with me tonight.” Her blush darkens as she smiles. “I, um, didn’t really want to come out tonight.”

“Why not?”

A girl as beautiful and kind as Hayden should have a boyfriend, now that I think about it, not a blind date for Valentine’s Day. The thought of another man treating her tonight sends a jolt of jealousy through my body that shocks me.

I should be happy for her regardless of who she’s with, as long as they make her happy. But theneedfor that man to be me has taken over, and I need to cool it a little before I scare her away.

Hayden takes a small sip of water. “I’m actually not that experienced at dating,” she admits. “And spending the evening with you and Star would have been too good to pass up.”

“You wanted to stay home with us?” If she wasn’t already perfect, now she is. I run a hand through my hair and take a deep breath.

I’m going to make this woman mine.

“Yeah,” she continues, leaning her forearms on the table to get closer to me. “It sounded perfect. Spaghetti andHallmarkwith you and Star. All my favorite things.”

My heart clenches at how perfect tonight would have been had we stayed home. But although it’s a pretty picture, there are other things I want to do with Hayden. Things that don’t involve family movie time and tucking Star into bed.

“It would have been nice,” I admit slowly. “But you deserve more than that on Valentine’s Day. Tonight’s aboutyou.Is there anything you’d like to do? We don’t actually have to stay here for dinner.” The restaurant is a bit stuffy for my tastes, but I’ll stay if she wants to. I’ll do almost anything tonight as long as we can be together.

Hayden scrunches her nose in thought. Then her eyes widen and she has to cover her mouth to hide her gasp.

“What is it?” I’m insatiably curious now, especially since she clenched her thighs together as the idea came to her.That’sthe kind of date night I can get behind. “We can do whatever you want. Just name it.”

She hesitates, biting her lip and looking up at from beneath those long lashes.Damn, does that look sexy. My cock twitches in my slacks and I have to flex my arms to keep the appendage down.

“Maybe a walk through the park?”

“Done. What else?”

“I haven’t thought that far ahead,” she laughs, still blushing.

I think shehasthought that far ahead, but she’s too shy to tell me.

“Okay,” I say, willing to take tonight one moment at a time. “Do you want to eat here or would you rather us go somewhere else?”

She takes one look around the room and her lip curls. “Somewhere else,” she admits readily. “Anywhere else.”

My perfect woman.

Standing, I throw a twenty down on the table for the server’s time and come over to Hayden’s side to pull her chair back for her. “Then let’s go, beautiful.”

She stands, and it’s the first time I’ve seen her dress, midnight black and showing off her curves, making my mouth water. As I take her hand, I pull it to my lips and press a kiss to her wrist.

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