“Kaden, you have to go.”
“Why?”
“Because I said so. Now eat your breakfast.” I scurry from the kitchen before he can respond. I can’t believe I had to play the because I said so card. That was so mom-ish.
Maybe when I have my own kids—I freeze. I’ve never considered having children before. When did I start thinking that way?
Because of Jonas my brain informs me. Oh no. This is bad. My heart clenches. That man is not a part of my future. He’s just going to be in my bed. That’s all he wants from me. And I’m not disappointed by that.
I’m still working on convincing myself of that after dropping the kids off.
I still haven’t convinced myself of that after dropping off the kids at school. At the shop, I busy myself with tasks that take my full attention to prevent my thoughts from going places they don’t need to go.
It almost succeeds.
But then Jonas shows up.
Our gazes lock and it takes me back to last night’s kiss and how I’d stayed awake for hours afterward craving more.
His gaze darkens, dropping to my lips. He’s thinking about that kiss, too.
“I want to take you out,” he says abruptly, almost gruffly.
“Out where?”
“On a date.”
My heart pounds. Could it be possible that he’s interested in my heart? My mouth is too dry to speak so I nod.
His expression lightens and he grins. His smile is as sexy as he is.
“We need to leave right now. Can you do that?”
“But the kids?—”
“I called Mom this morning and asked her to pick them up. I told her we’d come get them tonight.”
I cross the floor to switch the Open sign to Closed. The part timer is due in an hour and she’ll open back up. Then I turn and Jonas is standing close behind me.
“I need—” His nearness scrambles my thoughts.
“I know. I need, too.” He brushes his lips across mine.
It’s a light kiss and he doesn’t go any further though I wanted so much more.
As if he reads the need I’m feeling, he runs his thumb across my lower lip and says, “Soon.” Then holding my hand in his, he leads the way to his truck.
“Where are we going?” I ask.
“Coyote Bend.”
It’s a small town not far from Lucky River. “Why there?”
“Today’s the last day of a classic car show and I thought you might want to see it.”
“You remembered what I said about liking cars?”
He nods. “I don’t think I’ve forgotten a single thing you’ve said to me. Like when you said my strong thighs and dick won’t get that close to you.” He winks at me.
