The Player and the Single Mom

“Patsy, George, me, Hank, Toby, Conway, and Faith.”

I got a little lost after Patsy. “That’s a random assortment of names.”

“Not really.” Cash repeated the names. “Just let it sit for a minute.”

“Oh,” I said. “Got it. Those are all the names of country stars.”

“I will tell my mother that you agree with her that it’s subtle. Us kids tell her that it’s bullshit and not subtle at all, but she insists that it’s barely noticeable.” His expression told me what he thought of that.

“You got one of the good ones,” I said. “Cash is a cool name.”

“Thanks, Serafima.”

I grimaced. “Speaking of names, mine is a mouthful.”

“And you’re a handful, so it’s perfect for you.” He winked at me.

I laughed. “And you’re lucky you’re cute and really good at making me come.”

“I guess you could say worse things about me.”

Then I totally one-hundred-percent embarrassed myself by saying, “I have no bad things to say about you.”

It was too much. Way too revealing.

So I jumped up and grabbed the empty condom wrapper off the floor and ran back into the suite like I’d spotted the devil on my tail.

Cash

At the endof our last full day in Mexico, we walked on the beach back toward our suite. In the distance I could hear mariachi music coming from the resort’s beach bar, but we were heading in the opposite direction.

I didn’t want to join a party atmosphere with other couples. I already felt like I had shared Sera enough for the day. We’d gone swimming with dolphins and had taken an excursion with other guests to go ATV riding in the jungle. Watching Sera drive had been worth the effort, because she was a hellion behind the wheel. It was like she had to take it to the edge when her kids weren’t around. We’d also eaten dinner in the restaurant as opposed to in our room and Sera had oohed and ahhed over every option on the menu. With every bite of her sea bass she had moaned in pleasure, which I had enjoyed seeing.

But now I just wanted to be alone with her for one last night before we got up at the crack of dawn and had to return to reality.

Sera had her hands in the pockets of her dress as we walked, her hair being tousled by the wind. She was blonde again after the salon appointment I had made her, much to my personal satisfaction. But it wasn’t the hair color, or the facial she’d also had that made her look so stunning in the moonlight. It was how relaxed she looked. She had laughed and teased and opened up fully.

She breathed deeply. “I had no idea the ocean would smell so amazing. I feel like it has cleansed my nostrils of the smell of buttercream.”

“How did you come up with the name for the bakery?”

She gave me a funny look. “Sugar Lips? That’s what my husband called me.”

Of course it was.

I mentally berated myself.

Way to go. Remind her of the dead husband.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

“I hate the name,” she said. Then she picked up the hem of her skirt and took off running down the beach.

I wasn’t sure if she was running away because she was upset or she just didn’t want to talk about her husband, but at any rate, I debated if I should follow her or not. But then she yelled, “Come on!”

So I started jogging toward her.

She was smiling in the moonlight. “Give me a piggyback ride,” she said.

I bent down without a word and let her hop on my back. I hoisted her up, enjoying the feel of her draped across me, her slim legs wrapped around mine.

“Where are we going?” I asked.

“To the room.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

For once she didn’t yell at me for calling her ma’am. Instead, she kissed my cheek and murmured in my ear. “Sleep with me tonight. In the bed.”

I wanted nothing more. “Are you sure?”

“Yes. I want to wake up with you.”

When I got into the bed beside Sera, I pulled her close to me. I kissed her softly, then rolled over on top of her.

As I moved inside her in the dark, listening to her soft moans of pleasure, I knew she believed this was the last time we would be together like this.

I also knew that she was wrong.

Sera was meant for me. I knew it in my bones.

When she shattered, digging her nails into the flesh of my biceps, I rolled onto my back, taking her with me. Sera sighed, limbs splayed across my body.

She fell asleep draped across my chest.

And I stayed awake, savoring the moment, knowing that our path to being together wasn’t going to be a straight line.

But I was a patient man. I stroked my fingers lightly down her back and saw a whole future mapped out in front of me.

Sera shifted and moved into place on the mattress beside me. “Can’t you sleep?” she murmured, her eyes still closed.

“I’m just thinking.”

“Don’t think too much, trust me. It ruins the fun.”

“What do you recommend I do?”

“Just feel.”

“Oh, I’m doing that too,” I said.

She dropped a tiny kiss on my shoulder.

Just feel.