“Heck no. But you asked about being a billionaire. Being a parent is a completely different role. I worry every day that I’m giving her too much, that I’m not giving her enough. Am I being too tough, expecting too much? Or am I not expecting enough? And then there’s the guilt that pops up because of the divorce.” He paused, his thumb tapping on the armrest. “I see the way she looks at you, Avery. You’re an angel in her eyes—can do no wrong. And she craves your attention.”
Avery nodded. “It melts my heart.”
“It breaks mine.”
“Why?”
“If I’d chosen a better woman to be her mother, then she wouldn’t have a hole inside her.”
Avery bit her lip. “We can’t help who we love.”
“No, but we can choose to act on that love.”
“You didn’t have Savannah to consider when you married—” She cut off, not even knowing the woman’s name.
“Still …” He turned to the window. “I have her now.”
“You’re a lucky man, Ben. Not because you’re a billionaire, but because you’re rich in other ways.”
He turned back to her. “I’d like to kiss you right now.”
“I’d love it if you would.” She grinned, knowing they were both trapped.
But he carefully got up, laying Savannah on her side and tucking a blanket around her. The whole time he moved, Avery’s heart hammered against her ribs, screaming, “He’s going to kiss me! He’s going to kiss me!” She could barely breathe by the time he slipped his hand under Landon’s head and she slipped out from under him. Ben placed a pillow where she’d sat and rested Landon’s head on it. The boy let out a contented sigh.
Avery twisted her fingers. Realizing what she was doing, she dropped her hands to her side and squared her shoulders.
Ben ran his hand down her arm and hooked her pinkie. She gasped as memories of Luke filled her head. It wasn’t like the memories were bad; it was the feeling of Luke telling her it was okay to be with Ben, that he approved.
Ben led her to the back of the plane, where there was a leather-lined booth. He leaned against it and pulled her to him, holding her close. “For one minute, can we forget that we’re grown-ups?” He brushed his fingers down the side of her face.
Did he want to be able to let go of the pressures they both faced and be together—just the two of them? Because that sounded wonderful to her. Or was he asking for a noncommittal kiss? She’d gladly give him either, but she needed to know what she was agreeing to.
Before she could answer, he pressed his lips to hers, and everything she’d been worried about—all the tiny stresses that come from being a mom, like how she were going to get home, get Landon into bed, and have things ready for work the next day—faded away like the last rays of sunshine over the horizon.
Ben’s arms, all muscles and power, wrapped her up, and she was lost. Lost because she didn’t know who she was at the moment or what she was doing. Who was this woman kissing a man in a private plane? Was she the type of woman who allowed herself to be carried away by passion? Her doubt had her pulling back, slowing things down, and trying to catch her breath.
Ben pulled her in tighter, making the butterflies explode in happy little pops. Yes, yes, she was the type of person to make out with a hot guy. She was a woman who went after the man she wanted. She threaded her fingers into his hair and moaned softly, giving herself over to the experience and relishing the knowledge that she was powerful and strong and sexy enough that she madehimgrowl and deepen the kiss.
She may not have known this side of her when she was with Luke, but that didn’t mean it was any less real. Forgetting that she was a mom, that she had to set an example, she locked her arms behind Ben’s head and kissed him for all she was worth.
Chapter Nineteen
Ben
Ben waited in the car outside the school. He checked his Apple Watch for the twentieth time. Avery’s lunch hour started at 1:15. It was 1:16. He bounced his leg, nervous for their first real date. They’d spent so much time together with the kids lately that they were beginning to feel like a family. Savannah and Landon got along better than siblings. They lacked any type of rivalry and were good friends. Savannah had also gone to Margo’s house after school one afternoon to “hang out.” His daughter didn’t “play” with friends anymore. She was too old for that.
Avery quick-stepped her way out of the building, wearing a cinched raincoat over a knee-length dress and heels. He loved it when she wore heels. He loved it when she was barefoot, too. She had the most perfect feet he’d ever seen.
Gibbs opened the door for her, and she slid into the car. Ben wrapped his arm around her and pulled her right up next to him. “Hey.”
“Hey, yourself.” She giggled.
He should feel old with a daughter growing up so fast, but being with Avery made him feel young and invincible again. He gave her a quick kiss hello before Gibbs made it back behind the wheel. Ben would love to explore the growing feelings in his heart for this woman in the back seat of the limo. However, this was an official date. He’d asked her out. He’d sent flowers this morning. They’d managed to find time without the kids. It felt like there was so much riding on this. He knew he liked Avery as a mom—heck, he could even say he loved her as a mother for his daughter. One day those kids would be gone, and they’d need to get along after that too. He’d already been through one divorce, and he didn’t have any plans for another one.
“How’s work?” The car moved forward. They’d be at their destination soon. He’d chosen a restaurant close to the school so they’d have as much time as possible to linger.
She sighed and leaned into him. The sensation of being her rock was one of his favorites. “It’s work. We’re gearing up for graduation, and it’s always such a big production. Plus, we have at least one senior who is in danger of not graduating, and her parents are livid.”
