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“She’s just such a nice young woman,” she enthuses. “So smart. And sweet. And she just loves all the kids at the library.”
“Yes, she is.”
“And so pretty, too. Don’t you think so? With that beautiful hair, and her stunning blue eyes, and she’s got such a cute figure…”
“Yes.” My lips twitch. “Thea is very pretty. But Mom, it’s still early days. I don’t want you showing up at the library and inviting her to things yet.”
She gives me an affronted look. “Benjamin. I wouldn’t.”
“Hmm.” This time I raise my eyebrow at her. “So you didn’t stop by the library yesterday and just happen to mention the new restaurant that opened in town? And suggest getting lunch there sometime?”
Her cheeks go pink. Defensively, she says, “I needed some new books to read. And I saw the restaurant on my way there. It just came up naturally in conversation.” After a moment, her expression goes sheepish. “I just want you to be happy, Ben. You haven’t dated for so long, and Thea just seems like such a wonderful woman.”
“She is.” I come around the counter and hug her. “Just give it some time. We just started dating.”
Thea is more than wonderful. She’s all the things my mother said and more. Beautiful, smart, quietly funny, kind and generous, and she just has this way about her. Like every time I’m around Thea, everything just settles. It feels right.
But I’m the one with baggage from my horrible failed relationship with Laila’s mother. And I’m worried that I’ll let that get in the way of something that could be really special. That somehow, I’ll end up screwing everything up with Thea.
I don’t want to. She’s the first person I’ve actually seen a future with since Amanda. And even with Amanda, I was with her because I thought it was the best thing for Laila, not because I really wanted to be. But with Thea…
My phone dings and a message flashes across the screen. As soon as I see Thea’s name, I smile.
I’ve been brushing up on my current events all day! We’re going to win tonight, I’m sure of it! Can’t wait to see you!
I tap out a quick reply to Thea.
Coming to pick you up right now. Been thinking about you all day.
During one of our conversations, we discovered that we both love playing trivia. And my favorite brewpub, the Hop-less Horseman, just started hosting trivia every Wednesday night. So Thea and I are making a team with Grant, Ian, and Willow, and everyone is very excited about it.
We’re getting pretty competitive, too. Grant texted me that he’s been brushing up on local history, Ian is going over sports stats, and Willow told me the other night that she can answer pretty much any science question there is. I’ve got the math and computer topics down, and Thea is a librarian, so she knows about everything.
“Thea?” my mother asks.
“Yeah. I need to head out. Trivia starts at six-thirty and we need to get there early to find a good spot. I just need to say goodbye to Laila.”
“Okay. Have fun.” She beams at me and adds cheerfully, “And don’t worry about coming home early on my account. Stay out as long as you want.”
Every time I’m with Thea, I can’t get over how much I like her.
She takes my hand as we walk toward the entrance to the Hop-less Horseman and leans into me, her curls brushing my arm.
Two men pause as they cross the parking lot, their gazes lingering on her. A wave of protectiveness sweeps over me, tinged with a hint of unfamiliar jealousy. But Thea’s completely focused on me as she says, “I’m so excited. I haven’t played trivia since college. And our team is going to be awesome. We have a real shot at winning, I think.”
She looks so pretty as she smiles at me, her eyes sparkling and this aura of happiness radiating from her. Even though we’re in the parking lot, I can’t resist pulling her into my arms and kissing her.
Her arms twine around my neck as she stretches toward me, the soft swell of her breasts pressing into my chest. My hand rests at the small of her slender back, nearly spanning it, just inches above the tantalizing curve of her ass.
Curves that I’ve touched but haven’t seen—not that I don’t want to, but I’m trying to take things slowly. I’m trying to be practical and a responsible single parent instead of following my impulses and doing what my body is begging me to.
But each time I see Thea, it’s harder to resist her. More difficult not to peel her clothes off and kiss her all over, to take her nipples into my mouth, to cup her perfect ass in my hands while I taste her arousal, to hear her moans as I bring her to the edge and over.
Thea hums into my mouth, a breathy little moan that makes me even harder than I was already. I slide one hand into her hair, lightly tugging at her long curls, tilting her head back to take the kiss even deeper.
Everything else is forgotten.
The world narrows to our entwined bodies. Thea’s soft lips—tasting faintly of coconut and mint—and her slight weight in my arms and the feel of her pressed so close to me. Her soft scent wraps around me, vanilla and citrus, and when I cup her cheek, her skin feels like satin.
