Moonlight shone softly into the car, lighting his perfectly blue-blue eyes, his white shirt as bright as the moon itself.
“Forgive me for questioning this all,” I said sharply, “and not being a sure thing after an expensive dinner.”
“Don’t do that. You always go to money.”
“Well, your dad ripped us apart once. And now you might go to prison.”
“I told you I’ve got that covered.”
“And there’s this little thing ... Piper’s a young woman,” I shrieked, and then lowered my voice as I shut the car door to give us more privacy. For all I knew, she could be watching from the same window I’d waited in not too long ago. “She can’t see me hooking up with men. I don’t bring men back to my bed when the kids are home. Scratch that—I don’t bring men home to my bed, period.”
“I’m her father, for fuck’s sake.” Aston pinned his gaze on me. His stare was hard, the complete opposite of his gentle palm caressing my thigh.
“No, just no. Aston, accept it. Kiss me good night and let me go inside.”
If I were being truthful with myself, what had me going was how much I wanted him to come in. To take charge of my body, in my bed, both of us sweaty and sated, falling asleep in each other’s arms.
“That’s what I want,” he said. “More than anything.”
“What?” My eyes flew open wide. “Did I just say that out loud?”
He nodded. “Look, I hear what you’re saying. I didn’t get it ... I’ve only been a parent to a teenage girl for a few days. I don’t know all that involves. Right now, I’m going to kiss you, go home and smoke a cigar, and go to sleep. Probably after handling my own business, which I’m too old for. But know this, Bexley. It’s not going to be long before I’m in your bed every night.”
I tried to formulate a response, but Aston didn’t give me time. He leaned over the console and placed his lips on mine. His kiss scorched my mouth and my body, sending past memories colliding with more recent ones. With his tongue teasing mine, he gathered me closer, making me believe in a future together.
“I’ve loved you all my life,” he murmured. “If it takes me forever, I’m going to earn your forgiveness.” He pressed his lips more firmly to mine, and I reconsidered not allowing him to come in.
“We have to stop, or we won’t,” I finally said.
“That would make for an interesting sight.”
“Uh, yeah. I don’t think so. Thank you. Don’t worry about walking me up. Let’s leave this casual with the kids and all that,” I told him as I got out of the car.
“Bexley,” he called to me, and I turned around on the sidewalk. “You don’t have to say it back. I know you still love me.”
I simply turned back around and walked to the door. There wasn’t any response I could say to save face. He was right.
Bexley
I’d stopped at the store on the way to school pickup from work, filling my trunk with frozen waffle fries and hamburger patties, yet I still felt the need to ask the kids for permission.
“Hey, guys. Aston, Mara, and Little A are going to come for dinner. Is that okay?” I said as Piper and Tyler slid into the car.
“Yeah, Mom. You don’t have to ask,” Piper said. “We know you like Aston. Dad said you’ve never stopped liking him, even when you were married to him.”
Mentally, I growled, but I kept a smile plastered on my face. Seth had settled into a one-sided game of backhanded warfare. Problem was, he wasn’t lying, so I had no right to argue with his stance.
“Guys, this is uncharted waters for all of us, and already unusual. We don’t have to make it more difficult. Let’s try to get along. I’m doing this so you can get to know Aston and your half siblings, Piper.”
“Mom, we all get along. I’m getting to know Aston, and I know Dad doesn’t like it. It’s fine, okay?”
Wishing my hair wasn’t pulled back, I plucked the ponytail holder out, allowing my hair to shield my face from the passenger seat where Piper was sitting. “You have every right to get to know him. Seth can be hurt, but it’s not his place to judge you. Only me. I mean, he can only judge me.”
“Are you going to be a witch when it comes to video games later?” Tyler said, interrupting me. “Can we go to Aston’s? I bet you his house is bigger, and he probably doesn’t care how long we play.”
“Sorry, bud, we’re hosting, and I don’t plan to be a witch except when it’s time to sit at the table for dinner.”
With Piper sufficiently distracted, playing a game on her iPod, I drove us home in silence. I hadn’t wanted to go to Aston’s. Piper still hadn’t resolved her “are we rich?” issue, and I was certain seeing his house would only stir up those feelings again.
