About five minutes later, he’s almost to Second. “Okay, now this time, you're going to go that way, and then almost immediately, you go this way on the very next street.” Ben glances over at me.Shit.
Ben
Can she not tell left or right in a vehicle? I mean, I know she must know them in other aspects because she’s an amazing doctor, but she’s not told me to go left or right once on this drive. “You mean turn left then right, Doc?” I look over at her since we’re at a light, and I watch a deep blush come over her face right before her hands come up and cover all of it. She lets out a groan. “I was hoping it would be longer before you realized it.” The light turns green, and I turn left, then immediately right. “I’m the next-to-last house on this side.” I don’t give her any more grief at the moment, but we will be revisiting this again. If for no other reason than so I can see that blush on her face. Lord, this woman is something else.
I pull up to the house, and I park and hurry to get out so I can open her door because I have a feeling she’s not had someone do that before, or at least for a good long time. I open the door and hold out my hand. Kimbra takes it and steps down out of the truck, her other hand full of her work bags and purse. She looks up at me, and I can’t hold back anymore. I lean in and kissthe lips that have lived in my dreams for the last few weeks. I can tell she’s surprised and tentative in kissing me back until she opens her mouth to let a moan out. I take that as an invitation to deepen the kiss, my tongue demanding entrance. Fuck me. I get what people mean when they talk about electricity when they kiss their person. Kimbra gives back just as strongly. I love that she’s not a wallflower and not afraid to take what she wants from this kiss. I break the kiss before I find myself carried away. I want her, but I want her to understand this is more than physical for me. I think mauling her in her front yard and carrying her inside before we’ve technically had a first date won’t help my case.
I look down. Between the light from the truck and the streetlight, I can tell her pupils are blown. Always good to know she’s as affected as I am. “Hell, Doc. Didn’t know kissing you would be that earth-shattering.” There’s that blush I’m starting to really love. “Well, um…yeah. I guess I should go in and go to bed. Morning will be here before we know it.” Seeing her off-kilter warms my soul. “Keys.” She looks at me with a questioning look. “What?” I hold out my hand. “Keys. I’m gonna walk you to the door and make sure you get in fine.” She looks like I’m speaking a foreign language. “You are?” I nod and nudge her in the direction of her front door as she hands me her keys. “Yep, I am. I won’t ever just pull up to the curb and drop you off, Kimbra. I will, if nothing else, walk you to your door, kiss you goodnightproperly, and make sure you’re home safely, waiting till I hear the front door locked in place. If I get a weird feeling or you do, I’ll sweep the place before I leave. Need to know you’re safe, babe.” I squeeze her hand that I haven’t let go of since she handed me her keys. We walk up to her front porch, and the first thing I notice is that it’s not light enough for my liking. Sure, there’s a porch light, but it just doesn’t seem very bright. I see a lone roller skate and something made out of Legos. It tells me her kids are allowed to be kids, and they play outside, too. I unlock the door and open it, taking a peek inside before turning back around to face Kimbra. I hand her keys back to her. “Why don’t you text me when you wake up? That will give me time to take a shower and stop for coffee. I’ll drive my truck here to meet you for the morning so you can drink your coffee on the way to the hospital. We’ll grab my bike from my place after you're done at the hospital. What do you say?” She gives me a tentative smile. “That works for me. Thank you for giving me a ride home, and thank you for making sure I ate. I’m not used to someone looking out for me like that.” I watch her bite her lip like she’s trying to figure out what she’s going to say next, so I wait her out a bit. “Um, I know I need to get to bed and all, but I need you to know that I’m really looking forward to spending time with you tomorrow. I gotta be honest, outside of work, I don’t get to have many adult conversations these days.” Her confession makes me smile, and I bring my hands up to lightly grab hold of her faceand lean down to kiss her, this time ever so gently. “I’m looking forward to it too, darlin’. Now you go inside, lock the door, and get yourself to sleep. You need your rest. If we stand out here together much longer, I’m gonna pick you up and take you inside, and then neither of us will be getting any sleep all night.” I kiss her one more time just because I can and take a step back. I get a smile, and she walks inside and turns and waves at me. “Doc, I’m not heading back to my truck till I hear the door is locked.” That earns me a roll of her eyes, but she’s still smiling as she closes the door. I hear the lock engage, and the porch light flips off and on. I head back to my truck. Tomorrow is going to be a good day and, hopefully, the start to something I’ve been too afraid to hope for in at least twenty-five years.
CHAPTER TWO
There are few things better in life than when you add the perfect amount of creamer to your first cup of coffee. One of the things better? The perfect cup of “tea” made by a five-year-old princess.
~Text from Ben to Kimbra~
Kimbra
Today’s been a great day. It started with the sexiest of silver foxes bringing me my coffeeexactlyhow I like it, which is impressive because I can be pretty particular about it. You’d be particular about it, too, if you had to survive on hospital swill for years between med school, residency, and even a few days since then.
After I made my rounds and got two of my three patients approved for discharge, we quickly made the trip back to my place to drop my car off and made the fifteen-minute drive over to Mathis’s place to take his bike out for a ride. He had to give me a quick lesson as I’ve never been on a bike before, but if all ofthem ride like that, I’m gonna be addicted. Not only is it amazing to ride with my arms hugging so close to Ben that I could feel his muscles and…well, let’s just say it’s been a few years, and I was this close to achieving something that I’ve only had by myself since Bailey was born. I think he knew because he slowed down for a turn way more than I thought was necessary. Talk about a tease. If there was ever such a thing as the female equivalent to blue balls, that’s what I experienced this afternoon. Inside my mind, I called him all sorts of names, but the only thing that came out was a groan of sexual frustration. Bastard had the nerve to chuckle at me.
Just a few minutes ago, he pulled into a restaurant just a few miles out of town. I’ve been here a couple times with the kids after one of Branson’s games, and I know they have good food. It’s the kind of place that Brian would have turned his nose up at since food comes in baskets and you use paper napkins. I don't know when Brian changed or if it was always how he was and he just hid it well, but I like that Ben isn’t pretentious like that.
As soon as we got off his bike, he took my hand and led me inside. He gave me a quick kiss. “I’ve got to use the facilities. Grab us a table?” The hostess overheard us and showed me to a table by the window, placing two menus down and letting me know our waitress would be with us shortly. Looking down at the menu, I read the cover and chuckle like I have every timeI’ve ever read it.Lefty’s. The one time it would be wrong to turn right.
I’m one of those people who likes to look at the menu because I always like to try something different. When I’m at home, I tend to cook things I know, which is why when I go out, I like to be more adventurous. A couple of minutes later, our waitress arrives at our table at the same time as Ben. “Can I get you two something to drink?” Ben nods toward me. “I’ll have an iced tea with lemon, please.”
Ben orders a beer, and the waitress goes off to get our drinks.
Ben doesn’t even open the menu. “You know what you want, Doc?” I think for a second between the two dishes that caught my eye and decide on my choice. “Yeah, I do, but you haven’t even opened your menu. How do you know what you want?” He gives me a smile. “Because ever since I first tried this specific burger, there’s never been a need to order anything else. But no, I’m not one of those people who always orders the same thing at places. Just here. Well, here and my breakfast order at Millie’s is almost always the same. I do like trying new things, though.” Well, now I need to know. “So what’s your order here?” He grins at me. “The Lefty burger. It’s a classic for a reason. I add their barbecue sauce to it and get half onion rings and half fries.” Well, crap. Now I need to look at that one. I open the menu and read the ingredients. “It sounds pretty good, though I would have to get it with no tomatoes.” Ben tilts his head at me. “Do you notlike tomatoes? I noticed you didn’t eat them on your salad last night.” I shake my head. “Actually, I love fresh tomatoes, but Bentley has a severe allergy to raw tomatoes. So I don’t eat them, and they aren’t allowed in our house. I can’t order something and just take them off for him. He has such a reaction that he has an EpiPen because of it. He can handle cooked tomatoes, like in sauce or ketchup, but any kind of raw tomato sends him to the emergency room. I don’t eat them because if I have and I bend down and give him a kiss, his skin breaks out, and it could still cause a horrible reaction.”
The waitress stops by, gives us our drinks, and we place our order with Ben saying no tomato on his burger like I do. The waitress takes the menus and lets us know she’ll get our order in now. I have to ask because I’m nosey. Sue me. Before I can open my mouth to ask, he speaks up. “You’re gonna ask why I said no tomatoes, aren’t ya?” I nod and wait for him to continue. “Well, two reasons, really. The first is I plan to kiss you as much as I can the rest of the day. I wouldn’t want to putanyof your kids in danger ever, so I don’t want any chance of my having a fucking slice of tomato on my burger doing that. I also hope to be around you a lot more, and if it can make your life easier and your kids safer, I can give up something as unimportant as raw tomatoes. It’s really not that big of a deal, darlin’.” Tears build up, but I will them not to fall. I’m not ready for him to see just how easily I cry when it comes to anything with my kids. “It’s big to me. My kidsmean everything to me. You haven’t even met them yet and yet…you’re willing to do that. Just know it means something to me.” He gives me a big grin and a nod as he takes a sip of his beer. I think I’m in serious trouble.
**********
After we ate, Mathis took me on a ride on the back roads. I loved every minute of it. We were out for a couple of hours, stopping at a couple of scenic spots to stretch and steal a kiss or two. I know I don’t have a ton of experience kissing a large number of guys, but he’s got to be at the top of the list. We won’t go into the fact that I’m using the term list pretty damn loosely.
We had just gotten off the bike at my place and are walking up to the front door when my phone rings. I pull it out of my pocket and look at it before I answer it. A groan comes out without my realizing it until Ben turns toward me with a questioning look. I answer the phone. “What’s the matter, Brian?” I swear he huffs in derision before saying anything. “I have to go into the hospital for an emergency surgery as the on-call is already in surgery. I’m dropping the kids off in about fifteen minutes.” He’s always fucking doing this. I rub my forehead and sigh. “You’re lucky I’m home. You can drop them off this time, but you need to work on a sitter or something if this happens on your weekends. Iwon’t always be home and available. Hell, talk to Ms. Elenore to set up a plan with her.” Brian huffs into the phone. “Isn’t that something you can arrange?” I let out a laugh. “I did when we were married. We aren’t anymore, so your time with our kids is your responsibility to arrange and handle. I’m their mom. I’m not yours.” He mumbles something, and I know it has to be “whatever” or something along those lines. He probably thinks I’ll bend on this, but I’m done bending to help him out. He’s their dad. It’s time he takes on all the responsibility of that and not skate through it. He tells me again he’ll be here shortly. I end the call and hang my head in frustration.
I feel a hand on my neck. “What is it, Doc?” I look up and see a concerned look on Ben’s face. His sexy, masculine, delicious face, which I had planned to kiss a lot more tonight. Cockblocked by my ex-husband was not in my plans for tonight. “Brian got called into the hospital for surgery and is dropping the kids off. I’m sorry our date is getting cut short. I’ve had the best day with you.” He squeezes my neck. “Okay, so if you’re good with it, how about I go out and pick up some pizza for dinner? I know you’re a mom, darlin’, and I know your kids are going to be around a lot of the time. I also know what I’m suggesting might be way too soon, and I’m okay with that too. I know introducing someone to your kids is a big step. We do this all on your timetable, Kimbra.” I could overthink this whole thing, or I could go with my gut.When it comes to my kids, I’ve done both, and I think my gut usually steers me right.
“What if you stay and I introduce you as my friend? Are you okay with that?” I must say the right thing because he leans in and gives me a kiss. “That works just fine. Where do you want me to get the pizza from?” I shake my head. “You’re on your bike. Why don’t we just order delivery?” Ben nods as I unlock the front door. “Welcome to my home. It’s not the neatest, but keeping up with my three is a full-time job sometimes.” He gives me a look. “I would be more worried if the house was spotless. This is a house where your kids can be themselves. It’s a place where their memories are made. That’s important. All the other stuff is what people think that others care about. Fuck other people.” That right there is why I know I’m in trouble.
**********
About twenty minutes later, I hear a car pull up, and a honk follows. I can’t help but roll my eyes. I know it’s Brian because no pizza delivery person ever honked to announce their arrival. At least none that was hoping for a tip. I open the door and see my kids piling out of his car, of course, with Brian still sitting in the driver’s seat. Branson is stepping up and getting Bailey out of the vehicle. Makes me wonder what other responsibilities he takes on while they are at their dad’s. I want him to be able tobe a kid as long as possible. He’s already about to be a teenager. I don’t know where the time went, because it doesn’t seem like that long ago that he was my little toddler, obsessed with Tigger fromWinnie the Poohand trying to bounce like him.
Bentley opens the trunk and starts getting their bags out of the back. I walk down the driveway to meet them. Brian gives me a nod. “I really do have to go in to work. I actually had dinner planned for us tonight and everything.” I look at him, and I want to believe him but it’s not easy, especially after the last couple of years of broken promises to our kids, but I don’t want them to know how frustrated with their dad I am. “I get it. Just remember what I said. It’s time for you to make your own arrangements if you have them. You have your parents’ and Ms. Elenore’s number.” He gives me his look of annoyance, but I think he can tell I’m serious about it.
Bailey comes running up to me. “Mommy! Can we get ice cream for dinner tonight?” She slams into me, wrapping her little arms around my legs in a hug. I look down at my girl. “Well, we can’t have ice cream for dinner, but how about pizza?” She looks up at me and frowns. “Can we have ice cream after? It’s not a school night.” This one is already so good at throwing things I say back at me at just the right moment. “I think that can be arranged. Did you guys get all your stuff?” I get a bunch of mumbled “yeses” in return. “Alright, well, say goodbye to your dad, and let’s go put your stuff up.” All three of them barely wave to Brian.He waves back and takes off. I know I need to not spend so much time worrying about his relationship with Branson, Bentley, and Bailey, but I know they’d all love to get more attention from him. It kills me because the man I thought he was would’ve given that to them.
I walk back into the house and stop when I see Ben leaning against the counter with his hands in his pocket and my kids staring at him. Bailey speaks up first, looking at me and pointing at Ben. “Mommy, who’s him?” I take her jacket from her to hang up. “You didn’t introduce yourself?” She shakes her head at me, her curls bouncing everywhere. “This is my friend Ben. He’s gonna have pizza with us.” I can tell Branson’s not so sure about him, Bentley either. My social girl goes straight up to him, puts her hands on her hips, and looks up at him. Ben looks down at her with a grin, waiting her out. “I’m Bailey. I’m five years old. I’m going to be six soon, and I’m going to have a princess party. You’re invited if you want, but you have to be a prince. Mommy said you’re going to stay and eat pizza with us. I hope you don’t like anything yucky on your pizza.” I can tell he wants to laugh but is biting his lip to hold it in. He leans down and sticks out his hand to shake hers. “I’m Ben. I’ve never been to a princess party, so you’ll have to tell me more about it. I don’t think I like anything yucky on my pizza. What do you like on your pizza?”
Branson comes up to me and bumps my shoulder. I look over at him, and he’s got a concerned look on his face. “Is he yourboyfriend?” I think for a millisecond how to answer him, and I decide to go with honesty. “We’re getting to know each other. He’s a friend, but we have gone on a date and probably will again. You okay with that?” Branson nods. “Yeah, I am, as long as he’s nice to you. If he starts acting like Dad and not caring about you, then I won’t be.” My almost teenager who’s trying to be a man already notices more than I’m really comfortable with. I hug him to me, and of course, I earn an eye roll for that. “You let me worry about that. You just worry about being a kid still, okay?” I get another eye roll. “I’m gonna go put my stuff away. I gotta oil my new glove.” I tell him I’ll let him know when dinner is here. I look over, and both Bentley and Bailey are sitting on the stools at the counter and talking to Ben, who’s leaned back against the counter again.
Bentley is taking his turn peppering Ben with questions. “You work on cars? Do you work on the engines?”
Ben nods. “I do. I don’t work there full time, but I do work at the repair shop.” Bailey is looking at her brother like he’s asking the dumbest questions ever. She speaks up before Bentley can ask his next question. “Do you have any kids for us to play with?”
