Defensive Daddy

I pulled away first, which said something about my restraint seeing as the only thing I wanted to do was devour this woman. My mouth remained dangerously close to hers, and I offered her a little smirk. “I’d hate to break it to you, but this, you and me, has definitely already begun.”

“I think you might be right.” Samantha sounded hoarse, and her chest heaved with each word.

“I am,” I assured her, leaving no room for discussion. “But that doesn’t mean you don’t have all the time in the world, Samantha.” I ran my thumb across her bottom lip, relishing in the sexy little whimper that came from her as I did it. “I don’t ever want you to feel pressured or rushed when it comes to us. In any aspect. I need you to know that, and that’s why I came over here.”

“Not to kiss me like your life depended on it?”

“That was purely icing on the cake.” I grinned, giving her one more quick peck before taking a step back. “So, we’re okay?”

“More than okay,” she nodded, lifting the bouquet in her hand again to look them over.

“Good.” I reached out and touched the tip of her nose playfully. “Now, go enjoy that chocolate you love so much, and get those orchids into some water. I’ll call you later to confirm what days you need me to stay with Levi.”

“You’re leaving?”

My hand was on the doorframe, ready to push myself back toward my own apartment. “I have to,” I said with a mischievous smile. “I’ve got to meet Zoey—that’s my ex’s name, by the way—to take Tommy to a pediatrician appointment. Besides...” I took another step back. “I know I said you can take all the time you need, and I do mean that. But that doesn’t mean it’s going to be easy on me. And the way we just kissed, combined with how absolutely gorgeous you look right now, I can barely handle it.”

She laughed at me. “You’re not serious.”

“Oh, believe me, I am,” I assured her. “You wouldn’t believe how jealous I am of that bar of chocolate right now.” I leaned forward, enjoying the heat I could see flushing her cheeks. “And that’s really hard for a guy who prefers peanut butter cups to admit,” I whispered, as though it was the biggest secret in the world. “So, that’s saying something.” I winked at her. “I’ll call you after Levi is in bed.”

I could feel Samantha’s gaze on me as I left her standing in the doorway, staring after me. And if the longing look in her eyes was any indication, I had a funny feeling that Levi’s bedtime might be a little earlier tonight than usual.

***

It wasn’t fair, and I only had myself to blame. I’d had to make that godforsaken wisecrack about being jealous of that fucking bar of chocolate, and my mind couldn’t seem to get beyond the mental image of her lips and tongue as she indulged in her sinful treat. Paired with my own body’s memory of the heat and desire when I’d kissed her, I was having a hard time concentrating on anything else other than my overt awareness of there being only a wall between her and I.

I don’t know how many times I checked my phone for missed texts or calls throughout the day before Samantha’s number finally came up on my screen, but it was enough that my desperation to see her was definitely showing. I’d made it through the pediatrician appointment, and even managed to steal a bit of time alone with my little boy while Zoey went into the grocery store and I stayed in the truck with him while we waited. It was fun, having Tommy all to myself, not having Zoey’s looming gaze fixed on me, wondering if I’m doing things right or paying enough attention.

But Samantha was never far

from my mind.

Now, I stared at her words on the screen as though I could hear them falling from her lips.

Call me when you have time, to chat about Levi. I’ll be up for a while.

“You and me both,” I whispered to no one in particular as I tapped out my reply.

Up for company instead of a phone call?

To hell with dancing around the subject. She either wanted me there, or she didn’t. But I was going to let her decide, not my pride. I wasn’t too proud to beg, either.

Her response was instantaneous.

Come over, but don’t knock. Levi is asleep. I’m in the laundry room.

I didn’t even bother to try to hide my eagerness, and I slipped down the hallway in my sock-covered feet without a sound. Silence surrounded me, and the absence of voices or other neighbors’ televisions carrying through the air gave my trek a secretive, clandestine feel to it.

The door didn’t even squeak as I let myself into Samantha’s apartment, and I instinctively locked the door behind me. Levi’s bedroom door was closed at the end of the hall, but the urge to check on his sleeping form tugged at me, anyway. That urge wasn’t quite as relentless as the need to set my sights on Samantha, though, so I ducked into the little room off the kitchen, announcing my arrival with a soft knock.

“Hey,” I whispered loudly over the sound of the dryer. “You really need to lock that front door, even if you’re—”

My words were lost as she turned around and looked at me. Dressed only in plaid pajama shorts and a fitted black t-shirt, she was the picture of comfort and natural beauty. Her eyes, however, were a different kind of vision, and spoke to me louder than the rumbling of the washing machine she’d just started. They shone with a fiery heat, barely contained, as she stood completely still and took me in, her gaze lowering and then raising to meet mine.

The air between us crackled with electricity, and I swallowed as she bit down on her bottom lip.

Then, “Cooper...”