“Good,” I breathe, a slow grin tugging at my lips. “Then why don’t we see about getting the boys to bed and then I can show you just how right I can make you feel?”
Her chest rises and falls faster, shallow breaths betraying her nerves and excitement. I stand, voice calm but carrying an unmistakable command. “Hey boys, it’s time for bed.”
Bed.
Yes.
That’s exactly where I want Maria.
In my fucking bed.
Now.
Forever.
So what the hell are you going to do about that, Tuck?
Go all in, risk losing this family if I fail, or stay on the sidelines, pretending I don’t care, and be miserable for the rest of my life? My gut twists as I wrestle with that. Could I be the man they needed? The one who doesn’t fail them?
Before I settle on an answer, the boys burst into the kitchen, breaking the moment.
“Thanks for letting us stay, Mom,” Josh says, clutching Marbles to his chest, eyes bright. “I hope we never get a house of our own. I like staying here.”
“This isn’t our house, so don’t get too used to it,” she warns gently, as she wags a finger.
Josh has this strange, smug look on his face, like he knows something I don’t. It’s…weirdly familiar. Sort of reminds me of Stella. A little too clever for his own good.
“Head on up,” I say, trying for casual, though my heart is racing. “I’ll be taking you to school in the morning.”
“Mom, I’m sorry about the car,” Lucas says, his voice soft, full of that tender guilt only a kid can muster.
She pulls him in, holding him close, and I feel my chest tighten. My heart actually aches watching this mother and son, this little family. “All that matters is that you’re okay,” she says softly.
Lucas inches back. “I know Josh wants to stay here, but I really am going to build you a big house someday. I mean, you’re right, Mom. We can’t stay here forever…”
And then he glances at me. Just me.
“Right, Tuck?”
Possession and need hit first and then, one word jumps into my brain…wrong.
I guess it seems like my decision has been made. But how…when there’s a chance I could hurt this family, and break my own heart in the process?
18
Maria
I know the boys are sound asleep, but I keep my voice low when I say, “I swear this is the most luxurious bathtub I’ve ever been in.” I wave my hand through the water as Tuck washes his face at the sink. He glances over at me, and my stupid heart does a little dance as I take in his near naked body. Does he know that sweatpants, low on the hips—his hips—does something to me?
“I never thought to get bubble bath. I’ll try to remember for next time.”
Next time.
God, playing house with him is so much fun, but I am realistic and know it can’t last forever. In the meantime I’m going to enjoy it. As far as Declan goes, though. I just don’t think I have it in me to date him. Not when I’m physically involved with another man. It’s really not fair to him.
Tuck walks over to me, crouches on the floor and puts his hand in the water. “Although the bubbles would hide all the parts I like to look at.”
I laugh and splash him with water. He yelps and jumps back. “Shh,” I warn.
