She smiled shyly, and he thought,How could Inotlove this woman?
“You’re sweet.”
And still not sure if I’m the only one feeling this way.“My point in telling you this is to thank you for being you. And to tell you I don’t want to hide anymore. I want to hold your hand downtown. I want to go to the movies with you. To hang out with you and Simon and not pretend it’s a coaching thing or a favor for my brother, or some other convoluted lie. I don’t want to fend off the Linda Madisons of town with untruths. I’m not interested in any of them, because I found someone else.”
“By found, you mean what exactly?”
Shit.There. That flare of panic in her gaze. He’d been hoping to avoid that. “Look, Becca. It’s simple. I like you. You like me, though you haven’t said it, exactly. Why not date? We’re both single, and I’m no longer Simon’s coach. I’m just a new guy in town trying to become a part of the community.” He kissed her, lingering over her soft lips. “And I’d like to become a part of the community again real soon.”
She sighed. “That was just bad.”
“But honest. One thing you have to know about me. I’m not one for games. I say it like I see it.”
“So do I.” She kissed him back. “My priority is Simon, Mitch. You have to know that.”
“I do. But Simon is a young man now, and you have room to have a life.”
She frowned. “I know that.”
“I’m just saying I’d never keep you from Simon. Hell, I like the kid. You should be proud. He’s a funny guy with a good head on his shoulders.”
“Thank you.” She blushed prettily.
“He already thinks I have a thing for you. And if I recall, he’s the one who outed you for staring at my ass the first time you guys came over. He knows you have the hots for me.”
“Hots, huh?” She pushed him back by the chest, still caught in his arms. “Maybe I do. And maybe you’re a slippery one to keep a hold of. You could have your pick of the ladies in town. So, I have to wonder, why me?”
He shook his head. “You don’t listen worth a damn, do you?”
“No cursing.”
“You’re a great mother. You’re sarcastic. You have a great rack, a fine ass, and a mouth made for sin. And yeah, it sounds corny, but it’s true. Quit laughing at me.” At least her panic had turned to amusement. “I like you. You’re real, and you’re not out to use me for anything other than my huge cock.”
“I don’t know that I’d call it huge…”
“Remember what I said about you being honest. Don’t turn on me now.”
She laughed at him. “Fine. It’s gigantic.”
“Better.” He stared at her, falling harder with every heartbeat. “So? Can we stop sneaking around and just be us, together? Or what?”
“Yes, we can.”
He blinked. “That was too easy.”
“Ha. You say that now. But I’m not sure you know what you’re getting into. I work long hours at the teahouse. I love Simon, and my life pretty much revolves around him. You take me on, you have to take on Nora, too.”
“A threesome? Becca, not that I mind, exactly, but—”
“No, you moron. I meant she’s like a sister. So know she’ll be around a lot.”
“Fine.”
“I’m not rich. I’m comfortable, but I have a regular life, not a football-mafia-girlfriend kind of life.”
“A what?”
“I don’t want your money or your stuff. I just want to spend time with you, and being with you and Simon and Nora sometimes, too. You can’t do anything that would jeopardize my standing in town. No acting crazy or doing drugs or sleeping around. If we’re going to date, I’d prefer we just date each other and no one else.”
