Page 33 of An Unexpected Chance

“Then, yes.”

“Thank God.”

And his mouth was on mine.

* * *

A lifetime passed with Simon’s lips on mine. He kept me close, our bodies melded together as we lost ourselves to the passion of the moment. Everything was amplified. His touch, his taste, his scent soaked into my senses, forever imprinting themselves in my mind.

We broke apart, our eyes locked. His gaze was hooded and dark. He dragged his thumb over my lips.

“Jesus, Amy, I want you.”

I opened my mouth, and he shook his head. “I know we can’t. I can’t rush you. I have to prove myself.”

“You have proven yourself. You introduced me to Mia.”

“I want to introduce you to everyone. As mine.”

I felt my eyes widen. “Slow your roll, Romeo.”

His voice was low and raspy. “I told you—with you, there is no slow.” He drew in a deep breath. “With Kelsey, I constantly had doubts, made excuses for her in my mind. With you, all I feel is a rightness. You fit with Mia and me so well.” Then he frowned. “But wait, how are you feeling about this? Being involved with a man with a child? Being involved with my child? I mean—”

I cut him off, placing a finger over his lips. “Mia is a joy. I want to get to know her and you better. I know this isn’t a conventional relationship, Simon. That if we progress, I would become her, ah, step—”

He shook his head, this time silencing me. “You would become her mom, Amy. I already know your heart. There would be no step in anything. For either of you. We would be a family.”

His words brought tears to my eyes. “How do you feel about adding to that family?” I asked.

“As in having more children with you? Sign me up, Chippy. I’ll practice getting you pregnant until we get it right.”

I laughed at him. “Can we take this one step at a time, Simon? Yesterday, I thought we were done. Today, you’re going a million miles an hour.”

He sobered and sat up, pulling me onto his lap. “I’m just laying it out there, Amy. I’m not looking for casual. I can’t do casual with you. You make me feel too much. I see a future, and I want you to know that.”

“I do. And frankly, I want it too. But we need to make sure we’re thinking clearly and include Mia in all of this.”

He smiled and bent his head, kissing me. “That right there proves my point.”

I snuggled into his chest, and he leaned back, holding me close.

“I want you to stay,” he urged after a few moments of silence.

“Mia—”

“Sleeps like the dead. She’ll be up by seven, but you can leave before. I just want to hold you tonight.”

There was nothing I wanted more than to stay and be held by Simon. To wake up with him wrapped around me, safe and warm in his arms.

“Just to hold me?” I repeated.

“Well, I can try,” he admitted.

I laughed quietly, already feeling his lack of success. I shifted on his lap, and he hissed.

“If you keep moving, my efforts will be in vain,” he protested.

“Shut up and take me to bed.”