Page 8 of Flint

“Morning,” he grunts and gets out of the bed, searching until he finds his discarded briefs on the floor. He slips into them and yeah, maybe I sneak a peek when he bends over. What can I say? The man has a fine ass.

“Morning,” I answer and add dinosaur nuggets, the freezer staple of every busy mom, to the list I’m working on. I already had a video call with the boys earlier this morning. I went outside by the pool, so I wouldn’t disturb him. The two of them melted my heart when they showed me the new finger paints that grandma bought for them to use.

Flint spins the little collection of coffee pods. “What can I get you?”

“I’m a tea girl, and they’re out,” I answer without looking up, warmed by the fact that he thought of me. He’s been like this since yesterday, and I have to remind my heart that it doesn’t mean anything. This is what good men do—they look out for those around them.

“We’ll fix that,” he murmurs, and I’m not sure if he’s talking to himself or me, so I don’t say anything. He sets a cup to brew and strides to the table to peer over my shoulder. He’s so close, and he’s hovering over me, letting me catch whiffs of his cologne. Or maybe it’s his beard oil. I’m not sure. I only know his long beard tickles my face when he leans over me. “What is this? Are you making a grocery list on your birthday?”

“I have twin boys. Mom brain never turns off.”

“Today, you’re not a mom. Today, you’re just the birthday girl. Now, what do you want to do?”

My gaze strays to the bed.

He groans. “No, we’re not starting there. We can end there.”

“I don’t know what I want to do,” I admit since he took that off the table. “I mean, I brought a book to read.”

“How about this? You get dressed, and we go on an adventure.”

I think of the other swimsuit I packed. “I know the Cuddle a Cowboy event said you were stuck with me for the weekend, but I don’t expect you to actually⁠—”

“I want to spend the weekend with you. Now, get that sexy ass up and look for something to wear.”

The coffee machine beeps, and he strides across the room to get it. I debate for a moment before deciding to just do what he said. I am curious, and he did call my ass sexy. It’s been years since I’ve been called sexy and even longer since I’ve felt it.

I grab my beat-up duffel bag and haul it into the bathroom. It only takes a few minutes to find my cute swimsuit with the flowers on it. It’s a two-piece, high-waisted to support my tummy and as I shimmy into it, I feel the tell-tale aches from last night. My nipples are pleasantly sore, and my thighs burn from riding him.

I open the door at the exact moment he turns from the coffee machine, and I hear his sharp intake of breath.

I see the heat flare in his gaze. He's across the room in two quick strides. His hands go to my hips, and he gazes down at me. The intensity of those blue violet eyes pins me to the spot while one finger traces the swell of my breast, sending tingles through my body.

“This isn't quite what I meant,” he says.

“I figured we could go swimming in the pool,” I answer, my voice a breathy whimper.

He groans, “Not yet. Now, put some real clothes on. Later, you can model this for me.”

“Or we could just stay in,” I whisper, the pulse between my legs throbbing insistently.

He takes a step back and drops his hands. He shakes his head. “Come on, boss. We're gonna have some fun today.”

It only takes me a few minutes to change into a different outfit, and I leave the bathroom door open as I do. He watches from across the room, gripping the kitchenette counter so tightly I’m surprised he doesn’t break his fingers. But he never moves to devour me.

I gesture toward the shorts and tank top I'm wearing. “Is this better?”

The grin he gives me could stop traffic. “You look beautiful.”

“I've never done this before,” I tell Flint as I survey the go-kart track. The tiny cars look like something out of one of the boys' video games.

“Speed is your thing, so I thought you would find this fun,” he answers.

“Are you kidding? This is awesome,” I tell him, slipping into the car with the big red ladybug on it. It’s a tight squeeze, but I manage it then put on my helmet.

Flint waits until I'm settled and strapped in before he gets in his own go-kart.

Within seconds, we're flying down the track. I'm laughing so hard my stomach hurts and shouting to Flint over the wind to be heard. I can't remember the last time I've had this much fun. It’s the perfect carefree morning, and it passes in a blur that’s over far too quickly.