He leaned forward, causing me to tighten my grip on his hands.“Mae, do you think I go around kissing all my ex-clients?”
“Ah, no, I guess not?”My voice sounded tinny, and I imagined this was what it was like being underwater while someone talked to you.Where was this going?
“It would be unethical of me to date a client.It’s not technically forbidden, but it wouldn’t look good either.”
“But we’re not dating.”
“We are now.”
I realized I’d been gripping one of his hands and released it, picking up my glass off the table.My movements were jerky, and I spilled half the drink on my top.Getting up, I rushed over to the kitchen and grabbed what was left of our paper towels off the counter.The spray bottle was underneath the sink, hidden behind empty cans of bug spray I needed to get rid of.
How have I already collected trash when we only recently moved?
When I straightened, a little scream escaped and I dropped everything again because Vance was standing right next to me.I blinked at him, and he leaned closer.I stood frozen, still blinking.He leaned in more, until his nose was almost touching mine.
He leaned in even farther, his lips at my ear.“Let me help.”
I shivered, wondering if it was possible to have an orgasm from someone almost touching your ear.He bent down, picking up the bottle and paper towels, then strolled back to the living room, acting as if this was normal behavior.
I stood in the kitchen watching him on his knees, scrubbing the stain off the floor.I was so turned on, I was getting too hot in my leggings and sweater.Thankfully, I was at least wearing a bra, so no nipple was showing.
When he straightened up, I snapped my head to the side to avoid being caught drooling over him.I hoped there wasn’t actual drool on my face.But it was too late to check since he was once again in the kitchen with me.
Damn you, small apartment.
I busied myself wiping the stain on my top while he put everything on the counter.Once it was clear that it was as clean as it was going to get at the moment, he took my hand.“Let’s try this again.”
He walked me over to the couch and took a seat, pulling me down next to him.“I was hoping this wouldn’t come as such a big surprise to you.”
“Are you saying you want to date me?”
His thumb traced circles on the back of my hand, and I held as still as I possibly could.“That’s exactly what I’m saying.”
“I have two kids.And I’m divorced.”I looked around the small apartment.“And I’m broke.”
I simply wanted to make sure he hadn’t forgotten my current circumstances.
“All things I’m aware of.”
The thought of dating him was equal parts scary and exciting.“And you can have anyone you want.”I waved my arms up and down his body to emphasize my point.
He grinned at me, unperturbed by my words.“That’s great that you think that, because who I want is you.”
I stood up, having to expel some restless energy.What he was offering was too tempting to accept.Dating Vance?That wasn’t something I ever thought would be a possibility.“Why don’t you sleep on it?See how you feel tomorrow?”
He stood up as well, crowding me in the small space between the couch and table.“I’ve been thinking about nothing else for the past three months.I won’t change my mind.I knew you were the one when I watched you fight for your kids.You were willing to give up everything for them.”He leaned in so close that our noses were almost touching.“And if that’s not enough, you’re beautiful.You’re loyal.You’re a great friend.A great mother.And nobody has ever made me feel like you do.You are myipo.”
Three months?Ipo?He thinks I’m beautiful?
His large hand gently cupped the side of my face, tilting my head back to look at him.“I know this is a lot to dump on you.But I’m done waiting.And now that you’re officially no longer my client, I can be as obvious about my feelings for you as I want to be.”He dropped his hand, taking a step back.“I’ll come over tomorrow morning with breakfast.”
Blinking, I shook myself out of the warm feeling that had engulfed my body at his gesture.“Tomorrow isn’t a good day to come over.Hank is picking the girls up for their trip.”
“Great, then I’ll help, and afterward we’ll spend some time together.When do they usually get up?”
Too tired to tell him not to come, I answered him.“Seven.”
“I’ll be over at seven, then.”He placed a chaste kiss to my forehead.“What do you think the girls will want for breakfast?”
