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“We can’t.” Indecision flashed in her eyes.
“We can’t tonight. But will you let me take you out?”
She smiled softly. “I’d like that.”
I returned her smile despite knowing I couldn’t stay overnight. I didn’t want her to let her good sense return and realize we couldn’t pursue this. But the suite was too small for me to stay. Delaney’s room was right off Natalie’s. Maybe Mom could babysit her for a night sometime soon, and I could take Natalie back to my place. Or I could invite them both over. Delaney would love that, and I could show them my house.
“Are you okay with what just happened?” I asked her.
“I knew what I wanted, but I wasn’t sure about your intentions.”
“I’m not going to lie and say I’m not scared because I am. I can’t predict what’s going to happen, but I want to try. I like you.”
“Well, I would hope so,” Natalie teased.
I stood and held out a hand to draw her into my body.
“I’ve never felt like that during sex before,” Natalie murmured against my chest.
I had a feeling she wasn’t just saying the sex was good but that we had chemistry. Because I’d felt it too. “I knew something was special about you from the beginning.”
She smiled up at me, and it was so wide and bright that it pushed out everything else—the doubts and worries, the what-ifs.
Natalie was worth the risk of a broken heart. If I didn’t pursue this, I’d never know if she was meant for me.
CHAPTER13
NATALIE
Iwoke up the next morning with a sense that there’d been a shift overnight. I felt lighter, happier. Mac and I had sex, and it was amazing. It was exactly what I hoped it would be. It was exactly what I needed.
I was a little worried he’d had too much time to rethink things overnight. Would he regret it? Would he retreat to protect himself? I mentally prepared for any scenario.
I went for an early morning walk with Delaney since it was Saturday, and we picked up books from the library. I loved that we were in town and could walk most places.
When we returned, I was surprised to see Mac standing on the porch with his ever-present tool belt over worn jeans and the black company T-shirt. He looked too good to be true standing on my porch.
Mac rumpled Delaney’s hair. “My mom’s inside. She wants to take you home to bake that cake.”
“Seriously?”
“If that’s okay with your mom,” Mac said, deferring to me.
Delaney turned to me as I said, “Of course, it’s fine, but remember to be polite.”
“I will.” Delaney headed inside, and we were alone on the porch.
“Come here,” he commanded.
When I was within reach, he drew me into his body. “I missed you.”
I laughed against his chest. “You were inside me last night.”
“Shh. How will that sound if my mom overhears us?” I heard the smile in his voice.
“Mmm. Probably not good, but then, you’re not exactly hiding anything,” I said, looking up at him. This was a great way to start the day. “Did you have a hand in your mother coming over?”
“That was all her. She called bright and early this morning to ask when she could bake a cake with Delaney. Maggie’s fun, but she’s only four. She can’t do the same things Delaney can. It has the added bonus of allowing us to get some work done this morning.” He brushed a strand of hair off my forehead. “How do you feel about a picnic lunch?”
