“Fine, make the sandwiches. I’ll drop Arlo’s at Birchcraft.”
Her all-knowing smile is annoying as hell.
I stick my tongue out at her when she gives me the sandwiches and then walk across the road to Birchcraft.
Sage waves at me and points to the barn while he’s serving a customer.
Arlo’s back is to the door when I walk in, so I have time to appreciate his ass before I’m noticed. He seems to be engrossed in some paperwork, and even after I call him, he doesn’t hear me.
I wrap my arms around him from the back and delight in his cute little squeak.
When he realizes it’s me, he goes straight for the kill with a claiming kiss that leaves me dizzy and hard.
“Sorry,” he says, still trying to catch his breath. “I’m a little stressed and nervous, and you’re here, and I missed you. I probably came on a little strong, didn’t I?”
I pull him down for another kiss to shut him up and tell him exactly what I think about his stolen one.
“Feel free to come on strong any time you want,” I say and then chuckle.
“What?”
“I was telling Penny yesterday that I wanted to stop by at your place after my shift, but I didn’t want to come off as too needy.”
He wraps his arms around me and holds me tight. “I guess we can both be needy together.”
“Deal.” I go in for another kiss but stop it before I’m too tempted to drag Arlo into Sage’s office. “So tell me, what’s stressing you?”
“The talk at the school. The first class is tomorrow. Everything?”
“Tell me what you need,” I say. I run my hands over his T-shirt on the side where he has his tattoo before resting them on his back.
“You asking that question is enough. I’m happy you can be there later.”
“Ava is really looking forward to the class tomorrow. I’m sorry I’m working, but Liv will be your cheerleader.”
“Thanks. I think Sage’s idea of having a corner for the parents to hang out and grab a coffee while they wait is excellent. It wouldn’t work with a large class, but it’s fine for these smaller ones.”
I nod my agreement. Since we cleared the room and set up the layout of the class, we noticed a large space that looked a little out of place. Only Sage’s generous heart would think to give the parents a space to chill.
“I’m really upset about missing Ava’s first painting class. I probably need to make friends with more parents from the school.”
“Maybe you can do the next one. I’ve met some of the parents when they enrolled the kids, and they’re really nice. There’s a little girl Ava’s age, her name is Megan, and she’s new in town too. She’s adorable, and I think if they haven’t met already, they’ll become super friends when they do.”
It’s official. I’ve lost my heart to this man. The way he cares about Ava was bound to be the final wall to crumble. Toe-curling orgasms or not, the way to my heart is through my daughter.
“Wait,” he says, making a weird face. “You’re not into older men…are you?”
“Clive was a little older. I guess I never thought about it. Why?”
He sags a little. “Because Megan’s dad, Harrison, is this super-hot, almost silver fox, and he’s nice too. Maybe you shouldn’t come to the classes. I’m sure Liv can do a good job of supporting Ava. Yeah. Good thinking.”
I laugh, but when I stop and look at Arlo, he still has this super-worried face, and I can’t help it.
“Oh, baby, you don’t need to worry about other men.” I give him a kiss and let my hands roam down his body until I feel his smile against my lips.
I press closer to him, and I’m not surprised to feel his matching erection. “Feel that?”
He nods.
