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“Are you okay with that?” Kalon asks me. I see the hope in his eyes, and it melts my insides. Just like everything else about him.

“Yes, let me just grab my purse.” He lets me go, and I walk to the kitchenette where Oakley and I store our tote bags and our purses. When I return, Kalon is waiting on the landing.

“Take your time,” Oakley says. “I can manage without you for a while.” I shoot her a look because now she’s just stirring an already confusing pot.

“Thank you, Oakley,” Kalon says, taking my hand in his. It comes so naturally to him, such a small show of affection. I don’t know what to make of it right now because I don’t know what our lunch date means either. Now I’m worried he is going to end it, and that makes my stomach do some weird floppy thing. We take a short walk down the block to a small coffee stand that has tables and chairs in front of it. It also has a small deli-like case, from which we each choose a sandwich. People bustle around us, either on their lunch breaks or shopping trips. We have the perfect view of Macy’s from where we’re sitting. It’s still early in the day, but Fridays are always one of the busiest days in the Garment District. Kalon pays for everything and then pulls my chair out, waiting for me to sit, before he takes his own seat beside me. I sip my coffee and nibble on my sandwich. “You’ve been avoiding me,” Kalon says, leaving his sandwich untouched for now.

I put mine down and wipe my mouth before replying, “I have, and I’m sorry. I just didn’t know how to deal with what happened with your kids.”

“Running away wasn’t the answer, Channing.” He isn’t exactly stern, but there’s an authoritative tone to his voice that makes me want to shiver.

“I didn’t know how else to react, Kalon. And I didn’t mean to hurt you when I said you having kids is a problem. It all just happened too fast, and I got spooked, I guess.”

“I’m going to be honest with you, Channing. I don’t know what this is, but I do know that I enjoy spending time with you. My kids are going away for the weekend; why don’t you come to my place, and we can have some alone time.”

I suck my bottom lip into my mouth, painfully aware that I’m so very attracted to this man.

“I hope you didn’t send them away on my account.” I’d feel like an asshole if he did that.

He smiles. “No, they’re going to be with friends, and I don’t want to spend my weekend alone. My daughter has already called me out for moping.”

I chuckle. “Oakley accused me of the same thing.”

“Then say yes to me, Channing. It’s just a weekend of adult fun. Why can’t we just enjoy each other?”

Enjoying him has never been my problem. Enjoying him too much has.

I don’t even have to contemplate his offer though, so I say, “Okay.”

He smiles, and then leans over to kiss me. It’s not a peck, either. Without a care in the world, Kalon kisses me like he fucking means it. And in front of whoever may be walking past. I pull away, blushing furiously when someone whistles. Kalon relaxes back into his seat, a shit-eating grin on his face, and rests his arm on the back of my chair.

“Eat your sandwich,” I tell him. It’s getting cold.”

Kalon puts his hand on my leg while we drive to his place. I checked the contents of my bag a million times, worrying about whether or not I packed the right stuff. This is all new to me, packing to spend a weekend at a guy’s house, and my nerves got the better of me at some point. Now that we’re in the car though, I’m excited. The good kind. The kind that fills your belly with butterflies at the age of twenty-nine. Kalon tells me about his day, he asks about mine, and it all feeds into my earlier worries about what this is turning into. I shake it off when we arrive at his building and gladly take his hand when he offers it. We walk into the elevator like that, with his other hand holding my small weekend suitcase. His penthouse is quiet when he opens the door, and unlike last time, I actually have time to take in the palatial space. The walls are painted a warm beige, his huge sofas are a dark chocolate brown, and all the finishes are chrome.

“Make yourself at home,” Kalon says, giving me a chaste kiss. “I’m going to take your stuff to the bedroom.” He disappears down the hallway, and I walk to his balcony. It’s warm outside, and the cityscape is stunning from this height. I’m still busy taking it all in when I feel him behind me. He wraps both arms around my waist from behind, and I rest my head against his chest.

“I love this view,” I tell him. “It’s beautiful.”

“It is,” he replies, and when I look at him, he’s not watching the view; he’s watching me. “I was thinking we could go down to the pool, and the fire pit, maybe grill some burgers for dinner.”

“Sounds perfect.” I smile. He kisses me on my nose.

“Put your swimsuit on, I’ll grab what we need.” Before he can step away completely, I pull his shirt, bringing us chest-to-chest. I kiss him because I can. Because I want to. And because there’s no one to tell me I can’t, or that it’s a bad idea. He grips my hair and deepens the kiss. We break apart, a little breathless and a whole lot turned on. “Go,” he taps my butt. “I’ll meet you back inside in fifteen.”

He doesn’t have to tell me twice. I change into my bathing suit, and while I’m busy, Kalon does the same. I watch him in the kitchen while he moves around, staring at his torso. It’s just ink everywhere I look, and don’t get me started on his nipple rings. He catches me watching him, and smirks. “The dad bod doing it for you?”

“Very much so,” I admit.

His eyes look me over, and he says, “You can’t wear that outside, Channing.”

I look down at my white wrap that’s hiding my bikini. “What’s wrong with it?” I ask, genuinely confused. I don’t want to embarrass him, least of all in a public place. Yes, I researched his building, and the fire pits, grills, and the infinity pool are public spaces for the residents of 9 on Hudson.

“I might have to hurt someone if they even look at you.”

“But you’re looking at me,” I fire back, wanting to tease him and meet him toe-to-toe.

“I’m allowed to. It’s my bed you’ll be sleeping in tonight.”