She stared back, her eyes searching my face for several heartbeats. And then she launched herself at me.
As her lips landed on mine, shock and delight erupted inside me. She kissed me fiercely, and I responded just as intensely, gripping her hips, my body humming with satisfaction.
With a gasp, she pulled back, though she left her arms draped over my shoulders. “Sorry. I just needed to do that.”
I blinked, wondering if I’d dozed off on the couch and this was just a dream. “Don’t apologize.”
Dark eyes flashing, she pressed herself against me and captured my mouth.
I staggered back until I hit the kitchen counter. This dominance was such a fucking turn-on. Though I couldn’t help but push back a bit, grabbing her ass so hard she let out a squeak. Goddamn, she was soft and warm, and she smelled incredible.
A gurgling noise snapped us out of the moment, and Evie pulled back.
“Vincent.” She zeroed in on our little guy, who was happily batting at the hanging toys on his playmat. “Oh my God.”
She rushed over and swept him up, peppering his face with kisses.
“Mommy missed you, baby. I got to meet your new best friend today. You two are going to get into so much trouble together.”
Kiss-drunk and confused, I stayed where I was, using the counter to steady myself. While I was still reeling, I couldn’t deny how damn lucky I felt.
Evie took Vincent to his room, murmuring about needing to feed him, and when they were out of sight, I staggered to the couch and buried my head in my hands. What was that? And how was I supposed to keep doing this back-and-forth bullshit? This dance of desire?
Because to her, that may have been just an impulsive kiss, but to me it was so much more. I was already struggling to keep my emotional and physical distance with so much time together. The intimacy of caring for a baby with her only added a layer to my respect and affection for her.
Some nights I tossed and turned, my head filled with fantasies of coming home to her after a long shift. Stripping her down and fucking her all night long. Losing myself in her softness until she cried out my name.
I’d tried to bury these feelings. I’d even considered calling one of my casual hookups in hopes that a quick fuck would get this out of my system.
But my dick and my heart only wanted Evie. Those curves, those dark eyes, her stubbornness and determination and all that sass.
I was lost in my self-torture when she padded back into the room.
“Jasper,” she said. “I can explain.”
I jackknifed to my feet, digging deep for the courage to stand up for myself.
“I can’t do this,” I rasped, despite how much the words hurt to say. “I don’t want to be toyed with. My feelings are real. So is my attraction. I can respect that you’re not in the same place, but?—”
“Jas.” She grasped my hand and pulled me onto the couch so we were sitting side by side, her eyes locked on mine. “We are in the same place. Or a similar place, at least. I’m so screwed up that I don’t know how to talk about the stuff that makes me feel vulnerable, so who the hell knows. But I kissed you today because when I walked in and saw you, I just… couldn’tnotkiss you. The pull toward you, it’s too strong. You are so much more than I ever expected. I can’t stop myself from wanting you.”
There comes a time in a man’s life when he has to make a hard choice. And this was mine. A stronger man. A more emotionally mature man, would sit here with her and talk all this out. Make my feelings clear.
But I was not that man.
I stood, her hand still in mine. “Is Vincent napping?”
“Yes. He should be out for at least an hour.”
“Great.” I pulled her to her feet, bent over, and slung her over my shoulder. Then I quietly jogged toward her bedroom.
Every hint of hesitation dissolved the moment I placed her on the bed and she pulled me on top of her, her hands pressed to my cheeks, her mouth on mine again. I could live here, on this new plane of existence, with Evie writhing beneath me while I ravaged her mouth.
In seconds, her hands had found their way to the button of my jeans.
Before she could undo it, I grasped her wrists. “Not yet,” I growled, gently kissing her jawline.
She rolled her hips against me. “But we don’t have much time.”
