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Lucy helps Harley into the back of the truck, and I resist the urge to help her into the passenger seat because she’s perfectly capable. The little guy is asleep by the time we make it back to her house, but I don’t offer to carry him inside. I do, however, unlock her door for her and hold the keys on her front porch until she gets him settled in his bed and returns.
“Thank you,” she says as she rejoins me. “I had a lot of fun tonight.”
“You’re very welcome.”
I’m mostly a gentleman, but holding this woman’s hand all night, seeing the way she smiled up at me, I don’t know that I can leave without pressing my lips to hers. She seems a little nervous, but not in a way that tells me she wants to escape.
She’s not inching away or trying to put distance between us. She isn’t holding onto the screen door. Hell, the thing is completely closed.
“I’m going to kiss you, Lucy.”
She nibbles the corner of her lower lip, eyes blinking up at me as I lower my mouth. My fingers grip the coarse fabric of her jacket as I pull her closer to me. Her lips are warm, spiced with the mint of the tea she was drinking earlier, and I find myself starved for more.
She melts into me, her body angled as she trusts me with nearly the full weight of it.
My entire being is a live wire the second my tongue meets hers, and all those declarations of being a gentleman don’t fade away. They disappear in a snap. Gone. Poof. Nonexistent.
Sharp breaths, what I would consider a gasp if they were made from her lips, not her nose, escape, and I know she’s just as into it as I am. I pull back because if I don’t, I won’t have the power to stop.
I press my lips to hers, soft, gentle kisses three more times, loving that after just one kiss, her lips are cherry red and a little swollen. God, what will they look like after I’ve gone after her for hours?
“I want to see you again,” I whisper, my mouth mere inches from hers.
“We don’t have plans tomorrow, and Monday, Harley will be at school. I don’t have work until that evening.”
Jesus, I know exactly what she’s saying.
“Want to see me both days?”
She nods.
“Pizza and movies tomorrow?”
“That sounds perfect.”
“See you then, beautiful.” I press my lips to hers once more before taking a step back.
God, I want to follow her inside the house and spend the rest of the night with her in my arms, but I know that’s moving too fast. I’ll get to see her tomorrow and then the day after. That’s just going to have to be good enough.
Chapter 7
Lucy
I have great days with Harley. I’ve learned to count my blessings. Although I don’t have a lot of money, we have fun when we can. We go to the park and play games. We spend time watching movies. We have cheap fun.
Micah showed up yesterday with a pile of pizzas and a stack of animated movies. I don’t know if Harley told him we don’t have cable, but the man came prepared.
We spent the day on the couch laughing so much I woke this morning with my stomach a little sore. It was an amazing day, and I can’t seem to wipe the smile from my face. Micah paid a ton of attention to Harley while holding my hand the entire day. I didn’t feel left out at all. I sort of loved that he focused on my son because I knew what I promised. I knew my day was today, and I didn’t get much sleep last night after he left with that promise floating around in my head.
After sending Harley to school this morning on the bus, I flew around the house getting ready, his whispered promises in my ears.
He was appropriate yesterday, keeping a casual distance between us the whole day—a different man than the one that kissed me like he wanted to crawl inside of me the night before on the porch. He kissed me much the same yesterday evening before leaving, but while he was here and in Harley’s presence, he was a complete gentleman. I love the dichotomy of it, that he knows who I need him to be and when.
It also sends a thrill up my spine as I wait for him to arrive today because I know who I’m going to get once he arrives.
I shake my hands out as I pace the floor, praying my deodorant does its job because I’m incredibly nervous. I’m also wondering if we’re moving too fast. Micah is unlike any man I’ve ever met, and I’m second-guessing myself.
Am I attracted to him because he’s simply saying the right things and acting the right way? He’s the first man to come into our lives that’s acted like a decent human being. The first person to acknowledge the importance of me being a mother first. I want to believe it isn’t all an act, but I guess only time will tell.
