He runs back, yelling “Yeah!” as he goes. I love my kid’s enthusiasm and from the look on Kayla’s face, she appreciates it, too. But looking at Toby means I’m unprepared for when she leans in close and I get a whiff of strawberries when her hair brushes my shoulder. Her hand touches my arm and she whispers in my ear, “I lied, too. It’s not just because I want a free lunch.”
Holy. Hell.
If it weren’t for my son grabbing my hand and yammering on about a boat he can see, I’m almost positive I would have kissed her. Her intoxicating scent, the feel of her hand on me, and those words are enough to have my cock stirring in my pants. Suddenly the desire to touch her has morphed into a desire to do something a lot dirtier. Fuck no, alotof somethings.
Before Toby can pull me too far away from her, I grab Kayla’s hand with my free one.
“Come and look at a boat with us?”
She nods and takes my hand, lacing our fingers together in a way that feels much more intimate than I would have expected from someone I just met. It’s now that I’m realizing she might be feeling the same kind of intense attraction that I am, and my mind fills with thoughts on how I can get us some time alone. Not an easy feat as a single dad, but my parents are coming to visit next week, so I’ll figure something out.
She drops my hand when we reach Toby and I have to admit I’m disappointed. So once we’ve oohed and aahed at the sailboat he spotted, I turn to lean against the railing, making damn sure my shoulder is touching hers.
“How long are you staying on the island?”
A voice inside my head starts chantingforever…forever…forever…and-I shake my head to try and dispel that madness. I just met the woman and something inside of me is already planning our future together.
Kayla hesitates and a look of uncertainty moves across her face that has my protective instincts roaring.
“I don’t know, really. I’ve got a job lined up in a few months, but…” she shrugs and lets her voice trail off. My Spidey-sense is tingling. There’s something she isn’t saying. But I know it’s too soon for me to push, so I keep the conversation moving.
“Cool. Well, that’s plenty of time for my kid to drive you nuts with his endless energy and non-stop questions.”
She laughs and smiles affectionately at Toby before looking back to me with a sassy grin.
“First of all, you’re assuming I’ll be around your son enough for him to drive me nuts. My sister is the teacher, not me. Second of all, Toby is awesome. I don’t believe he could drive anyone nuts.”
I lean down—now it’s my turn to whisper in her ear. And if my lips happen to brush against her skin, well, it can’t be helped, now can it?
“You don’t live with the kid. Trust me.”
Right on cue, Toby comes back over from where he had moved for a better view of the sailboat, and starts asking questions.
“Dad, how do sailboats move? Do they have engines? What doessailmean? Can we get a sailboat? How ‘bout a dog? I want a dog. Can we get a dog?”
Kayla starts giggling and I can hear her trying to contain her laughter, but her eyes are filled with mirth as she looks at me. I shake my head as if to say, See? Told you so…and her giggle turns into a snort, and then full-on laughter.
Poor Toby looks at her with concern. “Miss Kayla, what’s so funny? Did you toot? Dad says tooting is nowmal and evewyone toots.”
Now it’s my turn to hold back my chuckles.
“Toby, dude, it’s rude to ask someone if they…ahhh…” Damn it, I don’t want to say the word in front of Kayla. She beats me to it, with laughter written all over her face and filling her voice.
“Tooted?”
Now we’re all laughing, over something as ridiculous as a word. Somehow, Kayla has gone from a total stranger to a woman who seamlessly fits in with mine and Toby’s sense of humor and general silliness. And that’s alluring in a way I never would have expected.
“Alright, back to what’s important. Lunch.” Kayla reaches into her bag and pulls out her phone, then looks at me expectantly. I quickly pull mine out, hiding my elation that she’s showing her interest so clearly. We exchange numbers and then confirm plans to meet at the diner later. Toby and I are renting an apartment in town until our house is ready, so Kayla tells us how we can easily walk to the diner from our temporary home. When I ask her where she’ll be staying, her answer surprises me.
“My sister runs an inn just outside of town, I think I’ll stay there.”
“Not with your family?”
“No…my sisters can be overbearing. And I need some space.”
She reveals nothing with her answer and yet I’m starting to get the feeling Kayla’s return to Westmount Island might be about more than just seeing her family.
“I get it. Family can mean well, but when you need time to breathe, they don’t always understand.”
