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Moira stretches like a cat before standing up. “Not exactly the height of sophisticated literature, but the boys love it.”
“It’s exactly the kind of book I would have read at their age.” After a beat, I add, “Actually, I have a feeling I’m going to enjoy it even now.”
The five of us head into the house and go upstairs. We snuggle up on Wyatt’s bed with Moira and me acting as the bookends to the three kids piled in the middle. As I start to read, I do funny voices for the characters, making sure the gross parts sound extra disgusting.
When we finish the chapter, Colton begs for one more. I’m having so much fun, I’m tempted to give in, but I don’t. The last thing Moira needs is to feel like I’ve aligned myself against her.
“That’s it, Mr. Nutter Butter,” she says, scooting off the bed. “It’s been a long day, and we need a gigantic sleep for Disneyland tomorrow.”
“That’s right,” I add. “We want to be the first in every line.” I won’t tell them about the front-of-the-line passes until we get there.
Ash and Colton sprint across the hall. Moira follows them, while I get up and offer Wyatt a nighttime fist bump. He snuggles under his covers. “I wouldn’t hate it if you gave me a hug.”
Emotion fills my eyes, and I’m glad the room is dark. Clearing my throat, I tell him, “Sure thing.” Then I lean down and wrap my arms around his skinny body. He hugs me back tightly like he really needs it.
When I turn to leave the room, I see Moira standing in the doorway. She looks every bit as emotional as I feel. She calls out, “Good night, Wyatt. I love you.”
“Love you, too, Mom.”
She takes my hand in hers and squeezes. “Thank you. This has been the best day of the boys’ life and it’s all because of you.”
I smile through the darkness. “I could say the same thing, except it’s because of the four of you.”
I lead her back down the stairs, and we settle ourselves on a sofa in the living room. “Would you like some more wine?”
Shaking her head, she says, “I’m good. I’m going to have to hit the hay soon. The boys will be up at the crack of dawn.”
“Good point.” I reach out and tuck a stray hair behind her ear.
“You’re an amazing man, do you know that?”
“Aww, shucks,” I answer with a wink.
“No, seriously. For Wyatt to ask for a hug is … huge.” She sighs, then adds, “Terrifyingly huge.”
“Why terrifying?” I ask, gazing into her eyes.
“Because you live here, and we live in a tiny town in Alaska.”
“That’s just geography.”
She scoffs. “You sound like a lawyer.”
“All I’m saying is that nothing is impossible.” Leaning down, I narrow the distance between our mouths until our lips are almost brushing against each other. “You just have to believe.”
She stares into my eyes as though searching for answers. She keeps staring as she stands up, only to sit back down. This time straddling my lap. Passion, longing, and need build between us as we explore each other’s bodies over our clothes. I want this woman more than I’ve wanted anything in my life. The attraction isn’t just physical either. It’s everything, the whole package.
We could easily get carried away, but I don’t want my first time with Moira to be when she’s emotionally spent. When she comes to my bed, it will be because she wants to be there and not because I’ve taken advantage of her exhaustion. I drop my head to break contact. “We should get some rest.”
Her face falls. “Oh…yeah … I mean, yes. We definitely should.”
She seems embarrassed as she jumps off my lap like she wishes she’d never been there.
“Moira, wait,” I say, getting up and catching her hand before she can leave. She turns to me, and I see hurt in her eyes.
Cupping her cheek with one hand, I say, “I want our first time to be something worthy of you.”
Nodding slightly, she says, “Okay.”
