Page 87 of Don't Date A DILF

Eventually, I turned my thoughts to the work at hand and went through the presentation slides Tucker had put together, making a few notes on them and sending an email back with my apologies.

Clark returned in a pair of sweats and a T-shirt just as I hit Send.

“There’s still plenty of hot water. Go have a nice shower, and I’ll pack your bag for you. I know you’re due to get Toby.”

I reeled him in for an enthusiastic kiss. “I could shower later,” I said.

He laughed. “And do what instead? We don’t have time for more sex.”

I pulled him down to straddle me on the couch and wrapped my arms around him. “Then just let me hold you for a minute. I wish I could come with you tonight.”

“Me too, but I’m sure Toby will be ready to have his dad to himself for a while.”

I squeezed him tighter, touched that he cared about Toby’s needs as much as I did. “I don’t know. Uncle Kevin is pretty cool.”

Clark chuckled. “I’ve got some competition, huh? I can’t teach him makeup tips.”

“Nah. You made him a casserole. That makes you tops in both our books.”

I forced myself to release him and get up. I really should have a quick rinse before going out in public. I probably reeked of sex.

“Thanks, Clark,” I said.

“For what?”

“For being so great. To me and to Toby.”

He smiled. “You deserve it. You and Toby.” His smile flickered. “I just wish I knew that this”—he waved a hand between us—“would make him as happy as it makes me.”

“Hey.” I caught his hand and kissed his palm. “It will. That kid loves you. I know he’s a bit caught up in the hopes his mom and I will get back together, but that’s never happening. Eventually he’ll see that.”

“Yeah, I’m sure you’re right.” Clark gave me a little shove toward the bathroom and laughed. “Now, go clean up so you can get out of here before he thinks you’ve forgotten him.”

I pressed one last kiss to his forehead, wishing I could do something more to reassure him. The truth was, I had no idea how Toby would take it when he found out Clark and I weren’t just playing pretend. I hated keeping the truth from my son, but rushing him would do more harm than good.

We’d both have to live with a little uncertainty, but at least after this weekend I knew I’d made the right choice to open my heart to Clark.

He deserved to be happy. So did I. And somehow, some way, we’d make sure Toby was happy too.

CHAPTER22

CLARK

The clock tickedtoward four p.m., and I counted down the minutes until GrasshopPeers dismissed. I felt a little guilty for my impatience as I walked the room, checking in on pairs of students, my mind only half-engaged in the process.

It was ridiculous, really. I’d seen Hunter every day this week, and yet it wasn’t enough.

A return to our regular schedules had been rough after the private, intimate weekend we’d shared. It felt a little like going back in time, but there was no rewinding my feelings for Hunter. My pulse sped up every time I saw him—whether it was for a glimpse across the classroom when he picked up Toby or a few hurried kisses when I came by his house to tutor. Toby was always nearby, so we hadn’t had a chance to really be together since the weekend, but tonight we had a dinner date of sorts.

He’d texted over lunch and invited me to his place.

I’ll cook the main course, he’d said.You be the dessert.

Ever since, my brain had been scattered and distracted, thinking of what the night might bring.

“It’s not fair,” Will Knox told Toby as I passed behind the boys during a round of the classroom to check on students’ progress. “We should get an older kid to do the hard part for us too.”

“Clark, er, I mean, Mr. Fletcher is helping us though,” Toby said in response. “He’s like…a super mentor because he knows so much stuff.”

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