AllFreeNovel
Share Us
‘After a lot of fighting and back and forth, my parents saw sense. They never let me help them out with anything else. My dad once returned a winter coat I bought him because he saw the designer label and said he’d only ruin something expensive. I think it’s pride more than anything. And hell, I can understand that.’
‘It’s where you get it from, tough guy.’ She curls one side of her lips affectionately. For a fleeting moment, I consider whether pride is something stopping me from making a move on Becky. But it’s so many things.
‘You’re probably right,’ I tell her. ‘So we agreed to keep it between us. Jake thinks they paid for his education, and it’s only coming up now because he’s working for a big hedge-fund company, and he can afford to start paying them back.’
I bring Annalise to a stop and Becky follows suit with Timmy, both kids moaning huffily.
‘We can come to the park again next time,’ I try to reason to little avail. ‘Becky and I need to get back to the city and your mom wants to take you home.’
Annalise flashes me those fatal, puppy-dog eyes. ‘Do you promise next time?’
I ruffle her curly locks. ‘I promise, kiddo.’
We start walking back to the truck – borrowed from Pops – the kids running ahead. Suddenly, Becky grabs my hand and tugs me so hard I’m forced to turn and face her. Before I know what’s happening, she crashes her mouth against mine.
Stunned, I don’t respond at first. Then I realize this woman, who drives me crazy, is pressing those soft lips I’ve been desperate to feel against mine. The animal instinct inside me comes out like a tiger through flames: hot, fierce. My body takes over. My fingers fist in her hair. My free hand roams her back over her thin sweater. She groans when my tongue parts her lips, tasting the decadent mix of sweetness and coffee all at once. She tastes even better than I imagined. I pull her into me. She pushes herself closer, making me forget we’re in the middle of a children’s park.
‘Ew!’ Timmy’s voice breaks the spell.
Becky pulls back first. She covers her mouth with her hands. ‘I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have done that. I don’t know what came over me.’
Her chest is rising and falling quickly, matching my own panting breaths. I need a moment to come back to the here and now. I need a moment to tell my member to get the hell down. I want desperately to take her to my bed. Hell, I’d like to strip her naked right now, right here, anywhere.
I draw a hand back through my hair. ‘You’re right. You’re right. That shouldn’t have happened.’
But damn if I didn’t want it to.
I won’t hurt this woman. I can’t. She’s too… good, perfect.
Christ, where is my head?
Up your ass, Drew. Your head is up your pig-headed ass. You don’t want to screw her and hurt her by dropping her the next day, but you don’t want a relationship with her either.
Walk away.
‘We should…’ Becky gestures in the direction of the park exit and starts walking.
‘We should.’
We drive back to the house in excruciating silence. I also think we may have scarred the kids with that kiss. It was… intense. It was hot. So hot. I subtly adjust my position behind the wheel, and think of something, anything, to stop the war raging in my boxer briefs. I settle on my late grandfather. A peculiar choice, granted, but one that works nonetheless.
Back at the house, I hold open the door as the kids run inside first, then Becky walks by me.
‘Thanks,’ she says, her cheeks scarlet.
‘Nanna, Nanna! Uncle Drew kissed Becky!’ I hear Annalise shout in the kitchen.
‘No, Becky kissed Uncle Drew,’ Timmy retorts.
Atta boy!
If possible, Becky’s cheeks glow even brighter red. The fact that she looks adorable and like she just ran over someone’s dog all at once makes me catch her hand in the hallway and kick the door closed behind me.
‘Hey, look at me.’ When she doesn’t, I lift her chin with the knuckle of my index finger. ‘I said look at me.’
‘Don’t. Don’t try to control me. That’s exactly what I don’t want.’
When her eyes glaze over, I know she means it. But I have no idea why.
