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“No problem.” I smiled.
“Thanks,” he said and rushed away.
I was glad he didn’t bring up my little freakout. I was a little embarrassed by my behavior. Now that it was settled, I felt better. I was staying the night. I didn’t need an invitation, but it was nice to get one. I made my way upstairs to check on Lily.
“What book are you reading?” I asked as Lily climbed into bed.
“It’s a new one,” she said.
I turned it so I could see the cover. “The Hunger Games. That’s a big book.”
Lily was nine, but her reading level was off the charts. I couldn’t imagine her actually reading it, but if she made it through, more power to her.
“Dad said I could read it,” she said. “He didn’t let me read it when I was eight, but now that I’m nine, I’m old enough.”
I couldn’t hide my smile. A whole year was like a decade in kid time. “Alright, I’ll leave you to it. You have ten minutes and then it’s lights out. Your dad will come in after he’s done with his call.”
“Goodnight,” she said.
I went to the guestroom that was kind of like my room now. I changed into the matching pajama set I bought specifically for my overnight stays at the house. The plaid cotton jammies were warm and cozy. I went into the bathroom and washed my face. I glanced up and looked at myself in the mirror.
“What are you doing?” I whispered the question.
I felt horrible for taking advantage of the kindness Ramsey and Lily were showing me. They opened their doors and welcomed me into their little family. They made me feel more wanted than any of the foster families I spent time in. I felt like shit for lying to them. I felt horrible for lying about my work history to get a job I wasn’t qualified for. Lily was a little human, growing and being molded before my very eyes.
I didn’t feel like I should be meddling. I might be doing irreparable harm. My experience raising kids was next to nothing. The only thing I knew about raising kids was my experience in some foster homes that had younger children and lazy foster parents. That wasn’t exactly actual child education one-on-one.
I needed to tell Ramsey the truth. If he decided to fire me, that was his choice. I couldn’t blame him for that. I lied about who I was and my experience. I made up a resume and that wasn’t fair to him. He thought he was doing his due diligence taking care of his daughter and I completely snowed him. I didn’t feel good about it. I would never hurt Lily and I would absolutely do my best to take care of her, but he needed to know who I was.
I couldn’t stay. I couldn’t continue to take advantage of their hospitality. Not while I was selling them a story. I walked out of the bathroom, intent on grabbing my clothes and changing to go home. I wanted to let Lily know so she didn’t wake up and find me missing.
I opened the bedroom door and ran smack-dab into Ramsey. “Oh,” I gasped.
“Sorry,” he said and gently put his hands on my shoulders. “I was just coming by to see if you were staying.”
“I was, but I think I should go,” I said.
He gently slid his finger under my chin and lifted until I was looking into his eyes. “Why?”
“I should go.”
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“I’m fine,” I assured him.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.” I nodded and looked away.
“Dee,” he said my name with desire in his voice. “Stay. Don’t go.”
I made the mistake of looking into his eyes again. The compassion and desire I saw reflecting back at me was too much to resist. He lowered his mouth to mine, our eyes still locked on each other. The moment his lips brushed against mine, my eyes slid closed and I gave in to the passion that had been building between us since that first kiss.
Ramsey and I stood in the middle of the doorway, our lips locked in a heated embrace. It was like there was an electric current running between us, and I couldn’t get enough. I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him closer to me, as he deepened the kiss. Our tongues danced together, exploring each other’s mouths, as we lost ourselves in the moment.
I pulled away from him, gasping for breath, and looked up into his eyes. They were dark with desire, and I knew he wanted me just as badly as I wanted him. “Ramsey,” I whispered, “I can’t stay here.”
“Yes, you can,” he murmured. “I want you to stay.”
