Page 40 of Imperfectly Yours

She looked me up and down, a smirk spreading across her face, before turning and heading into the kitchen.

“Want a glass of wine?” she asked over her shoulder as I followed. “I have beer, too.”

“Beer would be great.”

She poured a glass of wine and pulled a beer from the fridge. Rounding the island, she held out the bright blue, yellow, and orange can to me. I took it, and as she inched closer, I rested my free hand on her hip and brushed my thumb along the tiny strip of skin between her tank top and leggings.

A shiver coursed through her at the contact. When I dragged my focus up to her face, she was already watching me. I wanted to pull her flush against me so she could feel what she did to me. But I kept her at arm’s length.

“Can I take you out again?” I asked, bringing the beer to my mouth.

“School starts this week, so it’s going to be crazy.”

“Next Saturday, maybe?”

She nodded. “Sure. As long as I can find a babysitter.” She took a sip of her wine, hiding an obvious smile behind the glass. “You’re not going to bolt afterward, right?”

I dropped my head and shook it. “No.”

Rising to my full height again, I shifted. As I did, a stabbing pain shot through my leg, and I bit back a groan. Fuck. I knew I’d overused it today, but I’d hoped it would hold up for another hour or so. I pinched my eyes closed and removed my hand from her hip to massage my fucked-up thigh.

“Here.” Tina grabbed my beer and set both of our drinkson the island. Then she ducked under my arm and looped hers around me. “Let me help you to a chair.”

“I can do it.” Only I made no attempt to untangle myself from her. Instead, I felt myself leaning against her slightly and inhaling the sweet, fruity scent of her hair. Apples, maybe?

The chair scraped across the floor as she pulled it away from the table. “You did too much today,” she said, standing in front of me with her hands on her hips. Her round, perky breasts were now at eye level.

“I know, but it was worth it.” Spending the day with her and her kids. Feeling alive, useful. I felt almost like myself again. I hadn’t felt like this in a very long time. For once, my mom’s eyes weren’t full of worry. None of my siblings gave me pitying glances. It was all worth it.

Tina’s gaze softened, her brown irises sparkling as they ran over my face. I wished I knew what she was thinking.

With a long breath in, she picked up our drinks and handed mine over. I took a large swig of my beer, then set it on the table next to me. Beer likely didn’t have the same effect as whiskey when it came to dulling the pain, but it would have to do.

As if reading my mind, Tina frowned. “Want something a little stronger?”

“Yes, I do.” I gripped her wrist, pulling her closer. “But not to drink.” I tugged her again gently and guided her to sit on my good leg. “You make me forget about the pain.”

I cupped the side of her face and stroked my thumb over the corner of her lips. For a moment, I paused, giving her the chance to stop me, but the second she closed her eyes and melted into my touch, I pulled her closer. Need spiraled through me as our mouths fused.

I traced the seam of her lips with my tongue, and when she moaned in response, I deepened the kiss. I wanted more. God, I needed this woman in ways I’d never needed anything.

I pulled her farther up my leg, hooking one arm aroundher back, and continued my exploration. She squirmed, brushing her thigh along my rock-hard cock. When I groaned into her mouth, she pulled back with a gasp, her cheeks red, her lips swollen, and her eyes swimming with desire. Tilting forward, I brushed my lips against hers, capturing her mouth once again until we were both panting with need.

I didn’t give a fuck about my leg anymore, but when she squirmed again, I almost came right then and there. And her kids were in their beds, right down the hall.

Breaking the kiss, I laid my forehead against hers and ran my hand up and down her back.

She sighed, pliant in my arms. “How’s your leg?”

“Better now.” Because Tina was all I could feel.

“That’s good.”

I shifted. Damn, as much as I loved her pressed against my dick, I was going insane. My leg throbbed again then. Shit. I locked my jaw.

She pulled away, searching my face. “You’re in pain.”

Oh, how I wished I could explain the truth in that statement. I wasn’t sure whichpainwas more intense at the moment. But I wouldn’t lie to her, so I nodded.

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