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“Have you got a fireman’s pole at the firehouse?” he asks, scrambling off Melody’s lap and coming to sit on mine. I’m taken aback when he does, knowing how shy he’s been around me.
“Sure do. You and your mom will have to stop by the firehouse and I’ll show you around.”
“Can we, Mommy?” he cries excitedly.
“If it’s okay with Lucas.”
“Yes!” Roman shouts, and I laugh.
While we’ve been in the back, Aide has climbed into the front. “Do you want to sit up front?” he asks Roman as he looks over his shoulder at us. Roman looks at me, and I nod reassuringly. I pass him over the seats to Aide, who lets him sit behind the wheel.
Melody’s hand comes to rest on my arm, and I turn to face her. “Thank you so much for doing this for him, Lucas. He’s going to be talking about it for weeks.”
“No thanks needed, and I meant what I said about stopping by the firehouse.”
“He’d love that.” Her voice is low, and her eyes hold mine. Her hand is still on my arm, and I can’t look away. She has the most beautiful green eyes, and now that I’m this close, I can see they’re flecked around the edges with brown. They take my breath away. I don’t know if it’s just wishful thinking, but I swear I see heat in them. I’m sure they mirror my own. Suddenly, the screeching sound of the siren fills the truck for just a second, and Melody jumps, her small hand squeezing my arm.
“Oh my God!” she cries as she bursts out laughing and takes her hand off my arm, bringing it over her heart. “I wasn’t expecting that.”
I laugh. “A hazard of the job, I’m afraid.”
She leans forward in the truck, and I try not to stare at the way her ass fills her yoga pants perfectly. “Was that you, monkey?” she asks Roman.
“Again! Again!” he shouts.
“You’ll get me in trouble,” Aide jokes from the side of him. The siren sounds again for half a second, and Roman squeals with excitement. Aide turns to me. “We should be getting back. Shall we get the furniture inside?”
“Sure. I’ll come and grab Roman from you.”
I climb out of the truck and turn to help Melody. I could just take her hand and help her down like I helped her up. I don’t, though, and my hands go around her waist as I lift her and place her gently on the sidewalk. My hands linger, and she lifts her head, her eyes meeting mine.
“Thanks,” she whispers.
“Anytime.”
I’m lost in her again, and my eyes drop to her lips. I’ve never had a reaction like this to a woman before, and I’m not sure how to deal with it. It’s intense and overwhelming, and I can’t help but wonder if she feels it too. I know nothing about her or her situation, but I know I’ll be crushed if she’s got a boyfriend. It’s only when Aide clears his throat that I’m pulled from my thoughts.
I shake my head and step away from Melody, reaching for Roman. “Come here, little man. Was that fun?” He nods his head and throws his arms around my neck in a hug.
“Thank you, Lucas,” he says quietly.
My heart swells in my chest. “You’re welcome.” I hug him back before lowering him to the ground. Aide is watching me, a strange expression on his face. I know what he’s thinking. He’s thinking I’ve lost my mind. He was right earlier when he said there had been a lot of women, I just didn’t want to acknowledge that. I’ve never been in a relationship before, not because I didn’t want to have that with someone, more because I’ve never found anyone I wanted to see more than a handful of times. Maybe he thinks I’m not the settling down type.
Everyone helps move the furniture out of the truck and into the house. We’ve even moved Melody’s mattress from the living room and taken it upstairs into her bedroom.
“We really should go,” Aide says as we come downstairs and into the entryway.
“Nice to meet you all,” Melody says, her eyes flicking between Aide, Freddie, and Avery. “Thanks again for all your help.”
“Nice to meet you too, Melody,” Avery says. “We’ll wait for you in the truck, Aide.” She and Freddie give a small wave before walking outside.
“Thanks for bringing the engine, Aiden. Roman loved it.” She walks toward him and brushes a kiss on his cheek.
“I’m glad he liked it,” he tells her.
“Rome, come and say bye to Aiden.”
“Bye, Aiden,” Roman shouts from the living room.
