Curves for the Single Dad

“I should go.” Chris took a step back with regret in his eyes.

“Really?”

He nodded. “Really. I want you Tara and not just for a night. I need you to believe that,” he sighed, his shoulders slouched with regret and resignation. “So I have to go.”

I really wanted to tempt him, to make him want to stay. I wanted to invite him in but I didn’t want to, so I nodded. “Fine. I guess.”

“You could tempt me.”

I nodded. “I could. But I’m kind of curious to see what you’ll do next.”

A smile and a challenge lit in his eyes. “Noted.” Chris leaned forward and kissed me again but it was too short and too sweet and by the time I opened my eyes, there was a whole porch between us. “See you soon, Tara. Very soon.”

My heart—and other areas—thumped at the promise in his voice.

Chris

“Have dinner with me. Tonight.” I smiled like an idiot at the sound of Tara’s laugh, it was throaty and musical and I was getting hard just listening. It went on and on. And on. “It’s not a joke.”

“Oh I know, but your voice was all deep and sexy, commanding me to have dinner with you. I thought there might be a camera crew around somewhere.”

“Very funny. Hilarious, in fact.” I rolled my eyes. “I’m sorry, I should have said Tara, oh sweet and beautiful woman on my mind, please would you do me the honor of having dinner with me? Sooner rather than later?” After those kisses, all I could think about was getting my mouth—and hands—on Tara again.

“Well that is a hell of a lot better, Mr. Jacobs. I could probably make dinner work, when did you want to meet?”

“Tonight.” I knew it was bad etiquette to ask a woman for a date on the day of, but clearing my schedule as a single father wasn’t as easy one might assume.

“Tonight?” She laughed again but this one was light and a little nervous.

“Is that too soon?”

“I could say yes but the truth is my evening is wide open, Mr. Jacobs.”

I growled into the phone. “It does very naughty things to me when you call me Mr. Jacobs.”

“Oh yeah? What kinds of naughty things?” She gasped and I actually heard Tara smack a hand over her mouth. “Forget I asked that. Please, forget.”

“I don’t think I can,” I told her honestly. Hell I might have to sneak off for a midday shower just to try.

“Try. Please.”

“Stop begging then, Tara. A man can only take so much.”

She sucked in a small breath. “Time and place.”

“What?”

“Time and place for the date.” Her words were short, impatient and I knew she was embarrassed.

Oh. Right. “Seven o’clock. My place.” I held my breath and waited for her response since this was a last minute idea and I had no plans for dinner. Or a babysitter.

“Your place?”

“Yep. It’s a real date this time, no bar games. No steaks on the grill.”

“Bummer,” she said with a smile in her voice. “That was some delicious meat. Oh god,” she groaned. “I’m going now. See you at seven. Bye.”

A laugh slipped out because, dammit, she was just too damn cute. Too fun to tease and too easy to rile up. “Can’t wait. Until seven, Tara.” She squeaked out another goodbye and abruptly ended the call, which only made my smile bigger. Happier.

Now that I had a firm yes, there was a lot to do. Starting with a babysitter for Lila. I picked my phone up once again and dialed. “Oliver, I need your help man. Can you and Eva watch Lila tonight?”

The line went silent and then Oliver’s deep booming laugh sounded. “Hot date? Tell me more.”

“It’s nothing like that you animal. I’m cooking for Tara and I want some alone time with her.”

“Just alone time?”

“Okay not just alone time. Let’s just say I’m not opposed to some physical action but that’s not what the night is about. I’m trying to change her mind about me.”

“I don’t know, Chris. I was hoping to have some time alone with Eva tonight. She’s been so busy at work and so have I, and you know-,”

There was a scuffle on the other end of the call and then a familiar feminine voice. “Chris? We can absolutely watch Lila tonight. In fact we’ll do a fun sleepover so you can take all the time you need.”

I smiled, grateful to have the matchmakers on my side. “Thanks Eva. I owe you guys one.”

“Make Tara fall for you and become a Time for Love success story and we’ll call it even.”

“Seriously?”

“Yep. Oliver will pick Lila up and hour before your date so I’ll let you give him the details. Good luck.” Then Eva was gone.

It took some time to get everything arranged but, when Oliver showed up at six o’clock I’d just finished packing Lila’s bag. “Where am I going, Daddy?”