“First,” Hendrix said, “You’re not alone anymore. I won’t let him near you or Ryder.”
Her head snapped up, and he took her mouth in a searing kiss.
Only when they heard the bathroom door open did he let up. “Second, I have a few suggestions, but we’ll go over them while Ryder plays. Agreed?”
That seemed the wise thing to do – except this wasn’t Hendrix’s problem, no matter what he said.
Zooming back into the room, Ryder announced, “I’m all done.” When he saw her sitting and Hendrix unmoving, he skidded to a halt and frowned. “Aw, you guys aren’t ready.”
Hendrix said, “I decided you and I could do it together to give your mom a break.” After that decision – made without her input – he took her hands and tugged her to her feet. “Your turn to get dressed, and while you’re in there, try having a little faith.” He gave her one last kiss, then turned back to the mess.
Dishes clattered as she walked into the bathroom.
Faith. Yes, she had faith in Hendrix. So much faith that she’d fallen in love with him when she hadn’t thought she could ever love another man. Of course, she’d been free-falling that way since the day she met him. Having all his single-minded attention on her had only sealed the deal.
If Ted knew, he’d be enraged, and he’d definitely go after Hendrix.
That thought scared her most of all.
The warm sunshine, Joey by his side, and Ryder’s laughter had all conspired against Hendrix until he felt primed. Protective. Territorial.
In lust and in love – a powerful combo.
Long after they’d dried off from the hot tub and Joey had changed into a floral sweater and skinny jeans, he kept thinking of her body, her slender thighs and the breasts he badly wanted to bare. He wanted to touch her all over, kiss her all over.
He wanted to stake a claim.
For a long time he’d been without a woman, and there’d never been a woman like Joey. She affected him in ways he hadn’t known were possible.
Throughout the afternoon and into the evening, they hadn’t had a minute to talk privately. He’d kept the gate locked and his phone close at all times. Not a minute went by where he didn’t think of the flash of fear on Joey’s face when he’d told her about the Sebring.
“Here you go.”
Hendrix glanced up to see Joey put a quilt over Ryder’s legs. The kid looked tuckered out. He’d zipped through three puzzles before playing with the dinosaurs. Now he was camped out on the couch, watching cartoons on what he called “the big TV,” which probably seemed enormous when compared to the tiny television in their miniscule cabin.
It was nice seeing Ryder there, comfortable in his living room. Watching Joey stroke his hair, then stroll barefoot into his kitchen to get a bottle of water.
The two of them belonged here. With him.
Following Joey, Hendrix stopped behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. “When everyone returns after Christmas, I’ll be busier.”
“Hmm,” she said, as she leaned back against him. “Me, too. Ryder will be back at school and I can find a part time job, but still tutor sometimes in the evening.”
Pausing, Hendrix considered that. If she planned to work that much, it wouldn’t leave much time for them to be together.
Trying to circle in on that, he said, “I think today was the best day of my life.”
With a light laugh, she turned in his arms. “Really? Pancakes do it for you, huh?”
“You do it for me.” Her eyes flared, and that made him want to kiss her. And more. So much more. Cupping a hand to hercheek, he said, “I don’t want to spook you, babe, but I’m feeling pretty serious about us.”
Her breath quickened, followed by an uncertain smile. “I’m feeling pretty serious, too.”
“Good to know. Then maybe you won’t fight me on moving in here.”
Chapter Five
The way her jaw dropped, followed by her practically leaping out of his arms, told Hendrix it wouldn’t be easy.
