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“Zebras live in small family groups in the African savannah, where they keep each other safe.” A soft creak in the floorboards makes me look up to see Britt standing in the doorway with her arms crossed, a curious smile on her full lips. “Family groups usually consist of one male and several females and their babies.”
“Several females?” Owen’s voice is less loud, which tells me he’s getting tired. “Why do they do that?”
“To have lots of baby zebras.” Glancing down at my son, Zander is tucked under his arm, and his eyes are fixed on the photographs of the stunning, striped creatures.
I finish a few pages and lean forward to kiss the top of his head. “I’ve got to run Britt home. Vanessa will be downstairs, and I’ll be right back. Go to sleep.”
“Okay.” He curls deeper into his blankets while he holds the book, turning back to his favorite pictures. “Night, Miss Britt!”
“Goodnight, Owen,” she whispers.
Our bodies are close when I stand, and I look down, not wanting to move away from her warmth, her captivating presence.
A little smile curls her lips, and she blinks up at me. “Time to go?”
No…
“Yeah.” I place my hand on her shoulder, giving it a little squeeze before leading her down the stairs.
CHAPTER12
BRITT
Grumpy Aiden Stone scrunched into his son’s small bed reading about zebras is possibly the hottest thing I’ve ever seen. My stomach filled with warmth as I stood in the doorway, watching them.
I wanted to step forward and trace my fingers through the side of his hair like I did the night he kissed me. This entire evening, I’ve had to stop myself from touching him as if his skin beneath my fingertips is a drug, and I can’t get enough. He’s the dream I was never allowed to have… until I was.
Now we’re almost at my little apartment in town, and I wonder what he’ll do. Will he let me out at the curb or risk entering that stairwell with me again?
Our kiss was pretty incredible, but the crack in his voice as he whisperedI want to be inside youare the words I live for. I imagine his hands gripping the back of my thighs, his rough touch gliding higher against my smooth skin, sliding between my legs, ripping my thong aside.
I blink away the erotic images, doing my best to calm my hormones. “You’re really great with Owen. He’s a lucky little boy.”
“He’s a good kid.” He glances at me, and his eyes seem to catch on my lips before returning to the road. “I wanted to mention, Founder’s Day is next weekend. The big festival?”
That’s a switch. “Yeah, I’ll be on duty that day. Do you expect it to be crazy?”
“Not at all.” He shakes his head. “The most that ever happens is somebody has too much Founder’s Day punch, and their family or friends have to take them home.”
That makes me laugh. “I wound up skinny dipping with a bunch of friends after drinking too much of it in high school. I’m pretty sure your brother was with us.”
His brow lowers, and he clears his throat. “I think you should take the afternoon off and go to the festival with me.” My eyebrows rise, and he quickly adds, “Doug and Holly will be there, and I think it’s good for us to engage with the community as a team.”
“I agree.” We’re at my building, and he puts the truck in park, killing the engine before hopping out and walking around to open my door.
Anticipation mixes with the nerves churning in my stomach. He takes my hand, and I thank him quietly as I step out of the cab. My hand is still in his, and he doesn’t let go as we cross the short sidewalk.
We stop at the door. He doesn’t open it, and the streetlight at the corner casts long shadows across his face. I look up, and I can’t tell what he’s thinking or what he might do. Still, I can feel the tension in his grip on my fingers.
My heart beats faster, and I slide my hand out of his. “Thanks again for dinner and for the ride home.”
Opening the door, I enter the stairwell, and my stomach flutters when he enters behind me. The yellow light above my door is on, but before I can climb the stairs, he catches my arm, turning me to face him.
My lips part, but I’m not sure what to say. My eyes trace his, memorizing the fine lines at the corners, more noticeable right now as he frowns down at me like he’s fighting some internal battle.
“I don’t want you to date Adam.” His voice is rough.
My brow furrows. “I never wanted to date Adam.” He takes a step closer, pressing my back to the wall, and I take a chance. “I only ever wanted…”
