When I arrived to pick up Maisie for school, Dylan answered the door in khaki pants and a polo with his company’s logo. I watched him, appreciating the hard-defined muscle from his taut ass to his sculpted chest and strong arms as he made his way through the open living area to the kitchen. I wanted more than anything to see what he looked like in the flesh. Even if I could only look and not touch, I wanted to see the six-pack of his abs and defined pecs. Okay, so I did want to touch too, but even if I couldn’t, seeing him in all his glory would give me plenty to work with when I was alone at night in my room wishing for a man’s touch.
“Maisie, Tessa is here,” he said, helping her down from the table. When he turned to me, I quickly tried to mask that I was admiring him from behind.
I turned my attention to Maisie. “Don’t forget your brownies, unless your dad ate them all.”
“Daddy, did you eat them?” Maisie looked up at him as she put her hands on her hips.
He held his hands up in surrender. “I wanted to, but didn’t.”
“I knew you were a secret chocolate monster,” I said teasingly.
He winked. “Mais, go get your backpack.”
“’Kay.” She ran out of the kitchen toward her room.
“Do you want some coffee?” he asked.
“No, thank you,” I said. “The school party is at one today, if you can still come.”
“I’ll be there.” He ran his hand through his short dark hair. “I can’t believe Maisie is finishing her first year of school.” He shook his head. “It seems like just yesterday we were bringing her home from the hospital.”
I smiled, not hiding how much I loved how open he was with his love for Maisie. I’d never seen nor heard about grandparents, which lead me to believe Dylan hadn’t had a family life like he was working to give Maisie.
“I hear that a lot from parents. Do you think you’ll have more kids someday?”
He shook his head as he dumped his coffee in the sink. “No. Maisie is it. She’s all I need.”
“What if you got married again?” It would be a shame that such a wonderful man wouldn’t share his love with more children.
He pulled Maisie’s lunch box from the counter and began filling it with healthy foods. “Been there, done that. Didn’t take.”
“Really? You’re giving up just because your first-at-bat didn’t go so well?” I wasn’t sure if I was more surprised or disappointed in his insistence that he wouldn’t marry again. Not that he’d marry me, but it seemed like there had to be someone who’d appreciate the man he was.
“I’ve had step-parents. I won’t put Maisie through that. Besides, I don’t need a woman.”
I quirked a brow. It didn’t seem possible that a big, sexy, manly man such as himself didn’t need a woman. Taking my mind out of the gutter, I realized he probably meant in terms of raising Maisie. “You’re a great dad, Dylan. Maisie is lucky to have you.”
His cheeks tinged with pink, and I was pleased to have made him blush.
“She’s a great kid. And you’ve been a big help. I don’t want to discount all you’ve done for us. But in terms of marriage … I won’t be doing that again.” He set Maisie’s lunch box on the table and then went to the counter. “Don’t forget your brownies.”
I took the plate from him, noting one or two were missing. I looked at him. “You are a brownie monster.”
“That’s why we don’t normally keep treats in the house. I can’t be trusted around them.”
I laughed.
Maisie returned to the kitchen. “I’m ready.”
“Here’s your lunch, Miss Maisie,” he said handing her the lunch box.
“Did you put grapes? I like them better than apples.”
“I did.” He squatted down to her level. “Now, give me a kiss and go learn something.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck, her lunch box making a banging sound on his back. She kissed him. “Don’t forget my party.”
“I’ll be there,” he said standing.
“Come on Maisie,” I said holding out my hand. She trotted to me, taking my hand, and I led her out the door.
I secured Maisie in the booster seat in the backseat of my car and then drove us to school.
“Will you be my teacher next year?” she asked as I pulled into the parking lot of school.
“No, honey, but I know you’ll love whatever teacher you have. I know all the first-grade teachers and they’re great.”
“I wish you would be my teacher.”
I smiled at her through the rear-view mirror. “I wish I could be, too. I still have my own school to finish.”
“You’re too old for school.”
I parked the car. “You’re never too old to learn, Miss Maisie.” I helped her out of the car and walked with her to the classroom. I set the brownies over by the goodies the other kids had brought in as Maisie put her lunch box in her cubby.
That morning, Mrs. Anderson spent circle time reviewing the year with the kids and how much they learned. I led an art project that involved compiling some of the art and work they did throughout the year into a book with a construction paper cover.
After lunch, I put out the goodies while Mrs. Anderson took the kids outside to play.
“Am I early?”
I looked up to see Dylan walking into the classroom. Like always, the sight of him made my breath stall in my chest.
“The kids are at recess but will be back in a few minutes.” I set out paper plates and napkins.
“Can I help?”
“I’m going to run to the teacher’s room to get the drinks. Can I trust you not to eat the yum yums?”
He flashed a sexy smile. “Probably not.”
“I’ll chance it.” I hurried to the teachers lounge
