“Awesome! He’s going to guard the castle in my room. Can I name him Reid?”
“Sure can,” he says.
Gabby’s now smiling from ear to ear. Her good mood practically carries her to the parking lot.
Once again, she’s asleep in the car when we get home. Without asking or waiting for instructions, Reid wrestles her out of his back seat while I whisper, “Now you see why parents don’t have two-door cars?”
He nods and carries Gabby up the stairs.
“Want to do the honors?” he asks after I unlock the door. He hands off my sleeping child, and I carry her to bed. I know he’ll still be there when I get back ... and he is.
“Thanks,” I say awkwardly, unsure of where I should stand or what I should do. My hands fidget, itching for a task.
“Come here,” Reid says, and I do. “A little closer.”
Front to front, almost touching, he closes the gap, pulling me close.
Despite his palm burning a hole on my back, I don’t move. I like this. A little too much, if I’m being honest, which I’m not.
“Tonight was fun, wasn’t it?”
I nod. He swipes an errant hair off my face with his free hand, and I lean my face into his hand, not wanting to lose his touch.
Happily back in Reidville, I find myself wanting to stay indefinitely.
“I’m not some big bad wolf. I’m a nice guy. Gabby seems to like me.”
“That’s because you fed her pizza and sugar and gave her an armored truck full of tokens.”
“Not that many. And here I thought it was my charm.”
“You’re incorrigible.”
“You’re beautiful.”
My heart jumps at the compliment. It’s been a while.
His lips touch mine, gentle at first, hesitant, waiting for permission.
My arms rise and I hold on to his biceps, deepening the kiss.
What the hell? I haven’t been on a date in years, and this guy sprang for FunZone. The least I can do is kiss him back. He did get us a lot of tokens. That’s what I tell myself, but my tongue has a mind of its own and doesn’t give a shit about FunZone.
Breathless, clinging to Reid as if he’s the last source of oxygen on earth, I return his kisses, open-mouthed, hot and scorching, until I break free.
His forehead on mine, he says, “Maybe you don’t think I’m so bad after all.”
“Not too bad,” I huff out.
“I’m going to go. Think of this as the first of many good times, maybe even dates. I’ve got tricks up my sleeve, even better than FunZone, Andi.” His fingers weave through mine and squeeze.
I don’t respond, only nod.
“Good night.” He kisses my forehead, leaving my pulse racing as he releases me and makes his way to the door.
“Night,” I whisper and pad to the door, shutting it softly after him. I lock it tight, reminding myself I need to do the same with my heart.
Iwake dreamy.
