“Phew, you won’t bite my head off. For a moment, I thought youwould.”
“For a moment, I considered doing exactly that. I’ve got to admit you’re right though. I didn’t expect you to be insightful about raising children when you’re an only kid. I’m not sure. Maybe I just underestimate you.Sorry.”
“No worries, and no apologies necessary. I think I got lucky with thesuggestion.”
“You were spot on. I don’t ask the kids to take on part of their responsibilities. I tend to cover those for them. I’m not helping them in the longrun.”
Aidan folded an arm around Moira’s shoulders, bringing her to lean on his chest. He rested his chin on her head. “You work hard, and you get home tired. It’s easier to do stuff than to argue about it, especially when the opponents are two small kids, am Iright?”
Another long pause, Moira tipped her hear up to stare into his eyes. “Who the hell are you, and what have you done with my carefree friend, Aidan?” She kissed his chest over the thick fabric of his polo shirt, and it still burned him like a branding fire. He was hers, no doubt about it. “When did you get all mature and amazing on me? I did not notice thathappening?”
Despite the loud shrills coming from the living room, he stooped to whisper into her ear, so the kids wouldn’t overhear him, “Maybe if you stopped focusing on my hot body, you’d notice my sharp mind and greatpersonality.”
Her face turned a deeper shade of red, and his heart soared. Throwing caution to the wind, he pulled her face up and covered her lips. A brief, breathtaking exchange that left both panting andwanting.
When he let go of her tempting lips, Aidan stole a glance at the door to make sure they were still alone and whispered, “I meant that as a joke, woman. You cannot melt over a silly remark like that and expect me to keep my hands off you. I’m sorry, but it was too much forme.”
She giggled. “You make me feel like a teensometimes.”
“Not helping,Moira.”
“I know. I’m sorry. I’ll behave. After all, the taking it slow idea was mine,right.”
“I’llsay.”
* * *
Aidan watchedMoira closely as she told the kids to clean the mess that Lucius had made in the living room and they obeyed without as much as a peep. Her expression was priceless. She arched an eyebrow at him and mouthed “what the fuck?” and Aidan raised his hands in a non-committal gesture, but his wide grin made his facial musclesache.
He and Moira put the kids to bed, then sat on the couch to talk for a little while. It was a school night, and Moira preferred to sleepearly.
“Thanks for the suggestion. Who knew it would be that easy? I’ve been parenting on my own for eight years, long before Bob vanished, so it might take a little getting used to having you contribute. I appreciate your input,though.”
“Anytime, ma’am,” he muttered, as his fingers glided on herarm.
He didn’t dare go much further than light touches when they sat together on her couch. He didn’t trust his self-control. Another reason he strove to talk about neutral topics on thoseoccasions.
Moira’s fingertips playing with the buckle of his belt did not contribute for his well-being at thatmoment.
Atall.
His cock throbbed painfully inside his suddenly tight dresspants.
“I see you’re as excited about the subject as I am,” she chuckled, her voice muffled by his shirt, as she kissed the base of hisneck.
“Siren.” He stopped her fingers from slipping under the waistband of this pants. “You know how much I want to feel you around my cock, but not likethis.”
“Oh, God! What am I thinking?” Her face flushed again. “I’m sorry. You’re right.” She buried her red face in the nook of hisneck.
Nothelping.
Aidan steeled his spine. “Glad we’re on the samepage.”
“I’ve had a long day and a hard couple of days. I guess I lost the grip on my self-control.”
He probed her gaze. “We’ll revisit your comment about self-control and losing it. I’m very curious to know more about that.” He winked. “For now, let’s stay on the safer topics. What happened to make your days harder thanusual?”
Moira hesitated. He was about to remind her she didn’t have to face everything alone anymore, when she explained. “Mrs. Oliveira is going through some issues with her health. Again. Last year, she had a cancer scare and now the doctors suspect it might have returned. If it has, she’ll move in with her daughter. In SãoPaulo.”
