“Kiss me,” I blurted.
His eyes darkened, and he leaned forward, his breath feathering over my skin. He bypassed my lips, opting to place delicate kisses along the corners of my eyes, over my nose, on my cheeks. His touch was so light, so reverential. And I felt it all the way to the depth of my very being. I’d never felt more connected to someone.
I relaxed into his arms, reveling in the moment. It felt so decadent—to lie in a man’s arms without a care in the world. To be kissed and worshiped as if it were his sole purpose in life to cherish me.
Unlike any of the other men I’d been with, there was no rush. If anything, Preston seemed intent to slow down and savor the moment. And I found myself noticing more—the feel of his scruff against my skin. The way my nerve endings tingled, reaching out for him.
I was on the verge of begging him to kiss me when he finally slanted his lips over mine. My body hummed with excitement, but he continued to keep his movements slow. We sampled each other, our bodies forced together by the fabric of the hammock, making it feel like we were in a cocoon. Even when he teased the seam of my lips with his tongue, it was a languid movement. It felt like we had all the time in the world, and he wanted to spend it with me.
He didn’t push for more, and neither did I. Instead, we explored each other, our legs and tongues tangled together.
I could’ve stayed there all night. But then, I heard Sophia calling for me, and I bolted upright.
“Mommy?” Her voice was more insistent, and she sounded upset.
I rushed to find my footing, one of my feet getting stuck in the hammock. “I’m coming!”
Preston helped free me, only for me to fall flat on my face. I scrambled to my feet and rushed over to where Sophia was standing by the back door.
My heart was racing as I wrapped my arm around her. “I’m here, baby. What’s wrong?”
She sniffled. “I had a nightmare.”
Talk about a nightmare. I’d just experienced the most amazing kiss of my life—with my daughter’s nanny. My employee. A man who was nine years younger than me.
But overriding all of it was guilt. I hadn’t been there for my daughter when she needed me. When I should’ve been comforting her, I was making out with her nanny.
“It’s okay.” I held her close to me. “You’re okay. Why don’t we go inside and cuddle for a little bit?”
She nodded, allowing me to lead her toward the doors. “Mommy.” She sniffled. “Why is there grass on your shirt?”
I glanced down, brushing it off quickly. “I, um, was doing some yoga before bed.”
I could hear Preston’s quiet chuckle in the dark, could feel him watching me as I shut the glass door behind me. I shook my head, more at myself than him. This couldn’t happen again. But the way his low laughter threaded through my belly told me that would be easier said than done.
Chapter Eight
The click-clack of Alexis’s heels against the tile floor was the only warning I had. I glanced up, expecting her to look amazing as usual. But I wasn’t prepared for the way her black sheath hugged her curves and her leopard-print heels emphasized her spectacular legs.
Fuck me.
“Hey, Soph.” Alexis dropped a kiss on her daughter’s head before going over to the fridge. My eyes tracked her every move, lingering on her every detail.
“Good morning, Preston.” She gave me a smile, but it was forced.
Just like every interaction we’d had since the night of our kiss. It had been three days of stilted conversations, averted gazes, rushed goodbyes. She was never rude; she was always on the go, always busy. And if I weren’t mistaken, avoiding me.
“Good morning,” I said, handing her a mug of coffee. I’d prepared it just the way she liked—a splash of almond milk and no sugar.
“Thank you, but I already had some,” she said, green smoothie in hand.
She smiled, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. I knew she was embarrassed about the kiss—maybe she even regretted asking me to kiss her. But if she’d just talk to me, maybe we could do it again. Or at least, maybe things wouldn’t be so awkward between us.
She returned her attention to Sophia. “What are you up to today?”
Sophia wiggled in her chair. “We’re going to see the new exhibit at the Natural History Museum. Right, Preston?”
“Right.” I nodded.
