“Are you going to tell me why you’re here?”
“I wasn’t ready for the night to end.”
“Neither was I.”
“Why did you leave?”
“I’m not sure.” He twirled his finger around a stand of my hair. “There are so many things to consider and I don’t want to screw any of this up. I really like you.”
“Are you attracted to me? Or are we in the friend zone?”
“Do you really have to ask if I’m attracted to you?”
“You’re hard to read.”
“How could I not be attracted to you? You’re not only the most beautiful woman I’ve ever encountered but you’re caring, smart, amazing, and a fantastic mother to my… to Zoey.”
“Are you misreading me?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, I know in today’s day and age a man has to be careful. Am I not being clear enough? Every time we get close, you pull back. I definitely consent to your advances, if that’s what you’re afraid of. With you being a lawyer and such an influential man, I’m sure you worry about those types of things.” Maybe that was why he hadn’t gotten involved with anyone in such a long time. Or maybe he wasn’t over Lanie.
“Oh, you think that, well, I appreciate your consent and would respect your limits. I would never do anything you didn’t want me to.”
“I know that. I trust you. I hope you can see that.”
“You don’t know how much that trust means to me.” He caressed my cheek. “I want to be worthy of it.”
“You are.”
“I want you too. Make no mistake about that. You’re not sending mixed signals but I may be.”
“If you want to take this slow, I understand.”
“Slow can be good.” He leaned in and kissed me. “Under the correct circumstances.”
“Are these the correct circumstances?” I kissed him, climbing into his lap and straddling him. This was out of character for me but he made me bolder. “Can I stay with you tonight?”
“Absolutely.” He ran his hands along my legs, hiking my dress up, and gazing between my thighs. “There’s nothing I’d like more than to have you in my bed.”
“Hmm…” I kissed his neck, making my way to his chest. “We’ll make it to your bed, eventually.”
The blaze of the fire heated our flesh as we touched and explored one another’s bodies. Smoothing my hands over his shoulders and chest, I reveled in the strength of his form. Envisioning myself underneath him as he moved inside me dominated my thoughts. When I rocked my lower half into his erection, I disclosed what I wanted.
He tangled his fingers in my hair with one hand as he gripped my hip with the other. Answering back, he shifted into me, leaving nothing to imagination.
“You asked me why I was here,” I whispered against his lips.
“Tell me.” He kissed me harder. “Why are you here?”
“Because you’re the only one I wanted to get me out of this dress.”
When he released my hair, lowered his fingers to my zipper, and smirked, I knew the night was just beginning.
Xavier
The night had taken an unexpected turn. As we lay cuddled in my bed, I wondered what John would say. Did I even care? I was far into the scam that I never meant to be a scam. In trying to get to know my daughter, I’d become quite taken by her mother. If I told her the truth right now, how would she react? Could she forgive me? Could I risk it?
As much as I hated lying, my way was better. I could have them in my life and no one would get hurt. I could care for them without telling them who I was. That was my best option. No one would get hurt. If I kept telling myself that, maybe it would be true.
I glanced at the clock, noting it was already after three. The sun would be up in a few hours and would blast through the blinds. As I slipped out of bed, Kara reached for my hand.
“Don’t go,” she said in a raspy voice.
“I’m going to close the blinds.” I kissed her hand before getting up to complete the task. “The sun can be harsh in the early morning.”
“That’s an incredible view.”
“The city skyline is one of my favorite views.”
“I wasn’t talking about the skyline.” She sat up and concentrated on my naked form. “You’re in amazing shape.”
“Thank you.” If I were the type to get embarrassed, I’d be blushing. “I like the gym.”
“I can tell.”
Getting back into bed, I leaned against the headboard. She inched toward me, resting her head on my chest. I wrapped my arms around her, keeping her close. Breathing in her sweet scent, I couldn’t remember the last time I’d been this content.
“I’m glad you came here tonight.”
“It was Carla’s idea.”
“Then I have a lot to thank Carla for.”
“When you left, I wasn’t sure what to think. It seemed like we were heading in the same direction but then you stopped so abruptly.”
"I apologize for that.” Stopping was the hardest thing but when she became fixated on my eyes and how they were the same color as Zoey’s, I didn’t know what to do. Deep down, part of me wanted more than anything to purge myself and tell her the truth. The rational side of me wouldn’t allow that. Would I always be at war with myself when it came to my daughter?
“You’re cautious with me because of Zoey.”
You have no idea. “I don’t want to rush you. Your daughter is your priority and I respect that. You told me I’m the first man you’ve brought around her. I don’t want to do anything to make you doubt your choices.”
“You might be one of the best choices I’ve ever made.” She kissed my chest. “It’s true, Zoey adores you and if things don’t work out between us, I don’t want her to be hurt.”
“I’m not going anywhere.” I wish I could tell you how invested I am in you and Zoey. “In time, I’ll prove that to you.”
“New relationships can be difficult to navigate without a child.”
“Listen to me.” I lifted her chin so she had to look at me when I spoke these words. “Zoey is your whole world. I don’t see her as an obstacle in our developing relationship. I see her as a package deal. One that I’m very fortunate to have the pleasure of knowing.”
“Thank you for saying that.”
“I mean it.”
“I believe you.” She kissed my neck, sitting up on her knees, she hovered over me.
I lost my breath when her hair tumbled over her shoulders. Running my fingers down her throat and over her breasts, I sat up to meet her.
“You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me,” she whispered before I kissed her.
“I’m not perfect,” I told her as I flipped her onto her back. “Far from it.”
“You’re perfect for me.” She wrapped her legs around my waist, as her eyes filled with desire. “I want you.”
“You have me.” I sucked her bottom lip into my mouth as I pushed my hips toward her.