She shook her head slowly as though trying to gather her thoughts. “I guess I’m just nervous. I’ve only ever been with Matt, and looking back with all I know now…”
Understanding dawned, and he lifted her chin so that her eyes met his. “Violet, don’t take on the doubts he gave you. I swear I am not a weak man. And my word is solid. There is no other woman in my life, and kissing you is better than anything I’ve ever felt before. I don’t know where we’re going or what you want to call us, but that’s the whole point right now… whatever we are, we are an us. And as long as there is an us, then there will be no one else.”
Her lips curved slowly, and her cheeks blushed even more. “So, you like kissing me?”
He moved closer, his mouth barely touching hers as he chuckled. Mumbling against her soft lips, he whispered, “Kissing you is like watching the dawn rise in a perfectly blue sky. Where you know the day is just beginning, anything is possible, and it will only get better.”
Her hands snatched up to clutch his cheeks, and twisting her head, she latched onto his mouth. Now, there was no holding back. Soft and slow was a thing of the past. Teeth bumped. Tongues tangled. Breasts pressed against his chest. Her hot core ground against his swollen erection.
For a moment, he felt like a teenager fumbling in the backseat of his granddad’s old station wagon. Christ, she admitted her inexperience, and I’m treating her like I have no finesse. But the reality was he’d never felt like this. Wanting everything all at once and yet wanting everything to be perfect for her. With the kids upstairs, they’d never be able to do what he wanted to do, which was strip her naked, kiss her entire body, and worship her as they came together. But with hands roaming and her kisses sending shockwaves throughout his body, centering on his heart, he was fine with just what they were doing right now.
His hands cupped her ass, pulling her tighter. Her short fingernails scraped along his scalp sending more tingles, his senses on overload. He glided one hand over her hip, dipping in at her waist, and around to cup her breasts, his thumb moving over her nipple. She groaned into his mouth, and he swallowed the sound, desperately wanting to hear her moan when he was buried deep inside of her. When his cock felt ready to explode, he slowly pushed her back, creating a separation between them that was only a few inches but felt like a mile.
“Christ, babe, I don’t want to stop, but…”
“I know,” she breathed heavily. “I’d love to take you upstairs…”
Now it was his turn to nod and say, “I know.”
Her teeth landed on her bottom lip, swollen from his kisses, and he could tell she was deep in thought. “Don’t overthink this, Violet.”
She smiled again, and he knew if he could see that smile every day for the rest of his life he’d be happy. That and smiles from Lily and Charlie.
A shy expression crossed her face. “So, this starts us?”
“Absolutely.”
“Ben, please, don’t take this the wrong way, but I have to say it. It wouldn’t be right if I don’t.”
“I told you, I want you to say anything that’s important to you. You can tell me anything. You can ask me anything. If it’s important to you, then it’s important to me.”
She nodded, her hands resting on his shoulders as she sat straddling his lap. “I haven’t been part of a couple in a long time. I haven’t wanted to be. When I was with Matt, I thought it was the greatest thing ever. And when it was over and I discovered that so much of it was a lie, I wasn’t sure I ever wanted to be part of a couple again. What I feel for you is real. But if it was just me taking this chance, that would be one thing. But it’s Charlie and Lily, too.”
“Believe me, I’m crazy about those two. I don’t just see you and me as the us I’m referring to. I see it as you, me, Charlie, Lily, even Babciu… all of us together.”
She dragged in another deep breath before letting it out slowly. “Does it seem too fast? I mean, my heart doesn’t think so, but my mind is scared.”
“I didn’t expect this,” he admitted. “I’ve never been around a lot of kids, but those two have wormed their way inside.” He kissed her lips lightly before sliding his nibbles along her jaw until his mouth was at her ear. “We can go slow… see how the children feel about us. See how we feel about us.”
She worried her bottom lip, so he gently placed his thumb over the abraded flesh, the warmth from their kisses still evident. “Tell me… what are you thinking?”
“One of the reasons I haven’t dated was not wanting to subject my kids to men who might not be around for the right reasons or only want me but not them. You were different. You were a neighbor… then a friend. But I’m afraid they’ve set their sights on you, and I just don’t want you to wake up and feel maneuvered.”
“Shhh,” he whispered, smiling. “I’m used to tactics… used to warfare… used to subterfuge. Believe me, it didn’t take long for me to realize the kids were giving us time together. But that was fine by me. And I respect your choices as their mother to put them first in your life. I just want a chance to see if there’s room for me as well.”
She leaned forward and kissed along his jaw, the soft touch feather-light. His cock stirred, and he stood, lifting her with him.
“I’m going to go,” he said, grinning at her mewl of discontent. “Cause if I don’t, the kids might find me sleeping in your bed in the morning, and I know we’re not ready for that.”
They walked hand in hand to the back door where they stood for another long moment kissing once again. Finally, he stepped out, pleased when the security light came on and heard her click the lock behind him. Jogging through the yard, he scaled the fence and headed into his house, already planning the next day’s activities. A Sunday with everyone together. It sounded perfect.
15
Ben had spent Sunday morning at Violet’s house, painting the upstairs bathroom cabinets in thick, glossy white paint. Reminding the kids to use the downstairs powder room when they needed to use the bathroom, he shut the door to the one in Violet’s bedroom to let the paint dry. She had spent the morning with his grandmother and Lily making cookies for the church before a friend came to drive Babciu to the meeting. Lily came back to play with Charlie while Violet left to make her weekly grocery shopping trip. When she suggested the kids go with her, they vetoed the idea, clambering to stay with Ben and help him work on the house.
He’d assured her that it was fine with him and it would give her a chance to make a trip out without having to corral the kids. Then, he took a chance and leaned in, kissing her quickly on the lips. Her eyes had widened before shooting her gaze toward the kids. He twisted his head to see Charlie and Lily standing next to each other watching them, smiles on both of their faces. Deciding not to make a big deal about the show of affection, he winked as Violet rolled her eyes, made the kids promise to be good, and left for the grocery store.
He could hear the children playing in the backyard with Bounder and headed down the stairs, deciding that he would see if they wanted a snack. Just as he made it to the kitchen, a piercing scream was heard and his heart jolted. Racing to the laundry room, he threw open the door and spied Lily lying on the grass, holding her foot with tears streaming down her face as she sobbed.