I scolded him for talking to me that way, but when he stormed off to his room, I knew he was right and I was wrong. I did always work, I often put him second, and he was starting to notice. Or maybe he had noticed for a long time, and I had been too busy to realize how fast he was growing up. With everything going on in my life, I was overwhelmed. I didn’t know how to stay on top of things or how to keep everyone happy.

The doorbell rang, and I opened it for Danielle. She stood in front of me wearing dark jeans that shaped her ass perfectly, a tank top the same color as her eyes, and a jacket that hung off one shoulder like she had thrown it on last minute. She looked casually sexy, perfect. I couldn’t help but look her up and down when she stepped into the house.

When she saw me looking, she smiled sweetly at me. “Oh, is what I’m wearing all right?” she asked in a syrupy voice. “I guess it doesn’t matter because you can’t write me up when we aren’t at work.”

She was being cheeky, a little bratty, even. It made me want to take her to the bedroom and spank her. I knew I couldn’t respond to it, though. I couldn’t let her know how much she was getting to me. Besides, I had no idea what to say to that.

Instead, I ignored her comment and ran her through what I had planned for Tommy for dinner. I showed her the movies we were going to watch and pointed to the plastic packet with microwave popcorn and chocolate I had gotten from the store the day before.

“Looks like we’re having a movie night tonight,” Danielle said to Tommy.

“Yeah, looks like it,” Tommy said bitterly.

Danielle shot me a look, and I shrugged, not knowing how to defend myself when I knew I was wrong. I left Tommy and Danielle to start the night while I grabbed the last couple of things from the bedroom. When I returned, Tommy and Danielle were playing a board game she had brought with her.

“I’m off,” I said. “I don’t know what time I’ll be back.”

“That’s fine. I know how to reach you if I need you.” Danielle looked at Tommy, who usually gave me a hug before I left.

“Bye Dad,” Tommy said without getting up. I realized I was being punished. I didn’t have time to fight about this. So, I left the house feeling unwanted.

The meeting went well. Chen and his team were happy with what I had to show them, and after we wrapped up business, we drank together, joking and laughing and talking about nothing in particular. Even Jonathan, who was often uptight around his foreign clients, relaxed. I had a couple of drinks too many, and by the time it was time to leave, my head was spinning, and I couldn’t feel my legs. I couldn’t quite remember how I had gotten home, but the next thing I knew, I stood in front of my front door, fiddling to find the right key.

When I managed to let myself in, I found Danielle on the couch again, lying on her stomach, tank top riding up, her body on display. Fuck, she was so hot, and I had no defenses tonight. I wanted her immediately, and I couldn’t find a reason not to have her.

Danielle glanced up at me and smiled. I shrugged out of my blazer, folding it over the back of the armchair, and walked toward her. I sat down next to her on the couch. Danielle remained lying down, but she turned onto her back so she could look at me.

Her body was enticing, inviting. I knew it was a bad idea. Somewhere in the back of my mind, a little voice screamed at me to stop, but that little voice was drowning in alcohol. I reached for Danielle, and she didn’t move away.

It started innocently enough with my hand on her arm, and then her shoulder. But I wanted more, and her eyes told me she wanted more, too. I ran my hand down her chest and onto her breast, touching her. A hunger grew in her eyes, and I knew she enjoyed it. I touched her everywhere, rubbing my hands over her whole body, touching every inch of her which I hadn’t allowed myself to even think about for the past week.

The alcohol in my system had lowered my inhibitions, and I was hornier than I had ever been before. I didn’t want to stop.

“What are you doing?” Danielle asked, but it didn’t sound accusatory. Her voice was sultry, and the question was almost a come on.

“Something I’ve been dying to do all week,” I said.

Danielle parted her lips, and I put my hand on her cheek, tracing her bottom lip with my thumb. Her lips were perfect. I had never studied them before, the way I studied them now. She always had a slight pout, not too much, just enough to make her adorable. And her lips were full and utterly kissable. It couldn’t hurt to have a taste, could it?