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My heart is hammering so hard, I can hear it fluttering in my ears.
She licks her lips and nods.
I’m so hard, I ache for her. “That’s what being with you like this does to me. That’s what happens when you look at me or smile at me or walk into a room. Every. Fucking. Time.”
She turns our hands so mine is now flat against her chest. Her heart is doing the same dance as mine. As she releases a shuddering, deep breath, I realize she wants me every bit as much as I want her.
But with so much at stake, I refuse to let our hormones overtake common sense. She has very real concerns about me, and before we take this any further, I want to prove myself to her. For whatever reason, that feels much more critical than satisfying the powerful desire I feel for her.
Let me just say—this is a first for me. Never have I had a woman in my arms who was obviously willing to take this all the way, only to have me call a stop to it. Who in their right mind would walk away from an invitation as blatant as the one coming from her?
I must not be in my right mind. All that matters to me is doing this right—for once. And I know in my pounding heart that having sex with her now would fuck things up.
So I regretfully and painfully move away from her, settling back on my heels.
Her gaze travels over me, coming to a halt at my groin, which is throbbing.
“You don’t want to…”
“Hell yes, I want to, but more than anything, I want you to trust me, Sofia. And us getting naked right now might screw things up when you wake up tomorrow and realize you did something you weren’t ready for. I heard what you said earlier about how it’s been for you. I want to prove to you that I can give you something better. And the last thing I’d ever want you to think is I only want this from you.” I use my hand to gesture between us. “I want everything from you, which is why we’re going to do this right.”
She takes a deep breath and releases it slowly. “I didn’t mean to kiss you.”
Smiling, I say, “I’m so glad you did.”
“So am I.” She bites her bottom lip as she stares at my mouth with those eyes that just ruin me.
“You should get some rest. Mateo will be up early looking for Santa.”
“Yes, he will.”
“Go ahead. I’ll be here to make sure you’re safe.” I lean in to kiss her forehead and then her lips one more time. “Rest easy.”
She gets up from the floor and takes a second, seemingly to shake off what just happened between us. I get that. It’s going to take me all night to shake that off because all I’ll be thinking about is how soon we can do it again.
We work together to arrange Mateo’s toys next to the tiny tree that sparkles with multicolored lights and handmade ornaments. Again, I admire the way she makes a cozy, loving home for her son using the resources she has available.
“I’ll get you a pillow and blanket.”
“Thank you.”
She goes into the bedroom and returns a minute later with a pillow and a crocheted afghan that reminds me of my late great-grandmother’s home. “This was my abuela’s. It’s my favorite.”
“My great-grandmother had one just like it that she made.”
“I have so many sweet memories of watching TV with my abuela under that blanket.”
“I’ll take good care of it.”
She hands me an unopened toothbrush. “Thought you might want that, too.”
“I do. Thanks. Go ahead and use the bathroom. I’ll go after you.”
“Thank you again for your help with the toys. I really appreciate it.”
I flash her my dirtiest grin. “It was entirely my pleasure.”
Her face turns bright red in the second before she turns away from me and goes into the bathroom, closing the door behind her with a loud whack that makes me laugh.
