Julian Remington didn’t do forever or happily ever after.
So what in the world was he doing with his arms around a suddenly widowed single mom, kissing her like the world was expected to end at any second?
He had no idea, but being with her felt better than anything ever had, and all he wanted was more.
The hottest kiss in history was interrupted by the sound of the front door opening and closing.
Isla jumped back from him so suddenly, he nearly stumbled.
Mrs.V.Shit.
He sat on one of the barstools so the older woman wouldn’t see the prominent evidence of what she’d interrupted.
“Hi, honey.How was Ojai?”She glanced at Julian.“Hello.”
“Hi there.”
“Ojai was amazing.The kids had the best time.They saw horses, goats, chickens and three of the cutest dogs.”
Isla’s lips were red and swollen, her cheeks flushed.
Her friend knew exactly what they’d been doing before she’d come in.
“I’m going to lie down for a bit.I’ll see you for dinner?”
“Sounds good.”
She nodded to Julian as she left the room.
Ugh.Mortifying.
He smiled at the face Isla made.“We weren’t fooling her.”
“Not at all.”
He reached out to her.
She took his hand and let him draw her back into his arms where it seemed like she belonged.
“This is happening really fast.”
“I know.”She stepped between his legs, put her hands on his shoulders and leaned her forehead against his.“But it feels so good.Better than anything has in longer than I can remember.”
“For me, too.Things are complicated for you.I don’t want to make anything worse.”
“You’re making everything better just by being here.”
He held her close and rubbed soothing circles on her back.
“I know it must seem unreal that I can be clinging to you right after my husband died, but please know… as sad as I am for him and the kids, and I’m really,reallysad, but that relationship has been over for me for a long time.Years, really.”
He nuzzled her neck.“I like when you cling to me.You should feel free to do that as often as you’d like.”
Her soft laughter sent shivers down his spine.“That might be very often.”
“Okay.”
A sense of peace came over him, as if he’d been on a long journey and had finally found his way home.“I’m going to go for a bit while you have some time with the kids.If Mrs.V will be here with them, maybe I could come pick you up later.”
