Puck Daddy

We could do the whole menial small talk thing. I could ask how the kids were. I could even question her about the play area incident.

But, I don’t. I just move closer to her.

I want more than a kiss, too. I’ve been gentle, and nice, but that’s not my style.

“Yes, I know you’re going to San Jose.” There’s a hint of sadness in her eyes, but it’s shrouded by desire.

“My parents are right around the corner if you need anything. So, you don’t have to feel like I’m just dropping you off in the deep end. If it gets to be too much for you—”

“It won’t,” she interjects, sitting up on the bed. “I told you I would handle everything. I wouldn’t say I could if it were too much. I’m not Isobel.” The corner of her mouth twists up, and I know she wants to touch me.

“You’re damn right you’re not,” I say coarsely. “You’ve been an angel, Faith. For my kids.”

And for me.

“What do you mean?”

I’m at the edge of the bed now. “I checked references like crazy. Made sure I had the right person to look after my kids. Isobel’s references were shiny and flawless. Hell, my own mom said I’d be a fool not to hire her to take care of the kids. I was there with her for weeks, making sure she was as perfect as she seemed on paper.”

She stretches her legs out in front of her on the bed. “But?”

“There was something missing, but I ignored it, thinking it was all in my head. I thought Isobel was a gift from Heaven.”

She smirks. “Rather, a gift from Hell.”

I grin, nodding. “My mom doesn’t know what Isobel did, Faith. She just thinks she quit. She doesn’t know about the whole concession stand—”

“Your secret’s safe with me.”

I lean forward, onto the bed. I’m so fucking close, I can breathe in the heat of her skin. I press my lips against hers gently, whispering, “Thank you.”

She kisses me back, saying everything I need to know.

I’m teetering on the edge of control, and I know I’m a goner.

I pull away from her, only long enough to lock the door in my room and the kids’ room, then close the door that adjoins them.

I’m going to keep Faith in my bed tonight. Because that’s exactly where I want her to be. The kids sleep hard; we won’t wake them. Besides, I have an early flight tomorrow, and I want to taste every inch of this sweet jewel before me, even if it’s just for the night.

We’re crossing a line, and I know it. But I want her. Hell, I fucking need her. So, I’m going to take her. The only think I don’t know is if it’ll douse the smoldering fire within me that burns for her, or make it burst into flames.

Chapter Fifteen

Faith

By the time Tristan turns back to me after ensuring the doors are locked and the kids are sound asleep, I’ve come up onto my knees on the bed, waiting for him.

I know what his intentions are. They’re mine, too. And I won’t deny him.

Won’t deny myself.

In an instant, he’s on me, against me, pushing me back, onto the bed. “Mmm…” A low moan slips from my lips, and I pull my bottom lip between my teeth, shocked by the mix of pleasure and pain as he nips down the soft flesh of my throat.

Tristan is already rock hard; I can feel him through his jeans. He grips my sides, holding me in place as his fingers tease their way up my shirt.

Something within me is begging to be freed, a desperate need I’ve never known before. And as he rips my shirt over my head and his eyes become fixated on my breasts, covered in a red satin bra, I know what it is.

Pure, raw lust. I want him like I’ve never wanted anyone or anything else before. My eyes burn with desire as they meet his gaze, which is scorching enough to singe the skin of my body just by looking at him.