So, no.Sex was a nonissue to me because it would never happen.
Ben would have to break this off with me if he ever wanted to get laid again. And guessing from the heated look in his eyes that sent shivers racing up and down my spine, he was going to have to break up with me soon.
Or I was going to spontaneously combust into a million pieces.
Ben continued to press kisses along my jaw, the shell of my ear and finally my mouth. My hands slid around his neck and our bodies came together naturally.
“Ew!”All of the kids shouted at once.
We pulled away laughing. This hadn’t been the first time we got caught.
“How about that date?”He waggled his eyebrows at me and put a safe distance between us.
“I’ll talk to Emma.”
“Maybe we should think about finding another babysitter. A girl that is more available? Maybe a high school kid or someone we can pay?”
We can pay. We should think about finding another babysitter.
Ben’s words stripped away my easy smile and poked at my motherly instincts. I didn’t know how I felt about Ben’s suggestion or his insinuation that we were so coupled.
What did it mean for us to both pick out a babysitter? Did that mean he had an actual say and I had to listen to his opinion? Did he care enough about my children to find someone that would truly take care of their needs and make my home a fun and safe environment while maintaining some kind of order? Was he offering to pay for the sitter? Or did that responsibility remain entirely with me?
He misread my expression, “I love Emma, Liz. Don’t get me wrong. She’s just so busy. I’d like to find someone who can come over weekly. You need a break and I need you alone.”
I gaped at his insightful words.
“How much of a say do you think you have in this?” I followed a droplet of water with my finger as it trickled down his chest.
He captured my hand and brought it to his mouth for a chaste kiss. “A lot of say,” he grinned at me. “So much say.”
“I’m not so sure…” What I really wasn’t sure about was inviting another person into our lives. I liked how we had things right now. I didn’t want to upset the fragile balance we’d struck.
“I love these guys. I want the best for them too.”
“I know yousaythat…”
“And I mean it.” His voice was a serious timbre that made me want to sit up straighter. “I love those kids, Liz. More than I ever thought I could love anybody. If we are going to take this relationship any further, don’t you think I should start working with you to make decisions that affect the whole family?”
He talked about my kids like he was already a father figure for them and about the family as if he were already a part of it.
I didn’t know how to feel about that.
Frankly, he left me a little breathless.
Or,er, rather largely breathless.
I opened my mouth to say something although I didn’t know what. I needed to politely ask him to back off until I could catch up with him. I didn’t think I wanted Ben to become so involved. If he stepped into Grady’s shoes that meant Grady would be pushed out.
And I didn’t want Grady to leave.
But I didn’t want Ben to leave either.
“Uncle Trevor!” Abby squealed before I could put two words together.
Lots of splashing ensued as my children scrambled from the pool to attack their uncle with wet hugs. He laughed and let them drip all over his work clothes. I held my hand up to shield the sun and silently thanked Trevor for interrupting at just the right time.
I pushed beyond Ben to climb out of the swimming pool too. Once I had a towel securely wrapped around me, I walked over to my brother-in-law to see why he’d tracked us down.
