Jeremy pointed toward the living area of the room and asked, “Mom, can I go sit on the couch and play a game on my phone?”
We’d leave in a minute and get a car share back to the stadium.
For now, I ignored how my skin was still warm from Michael’s nearness and just said, “Sure.”
Jeremy got up and left.
Michael leaned back in his chair and asked, “How are you paying for everything you have by yourself?”
I lifted my chin.
We’d not seen each other in years, and he had no idea that I rejected every other man I met, as I asked, “How do you know I’m alone?”
His eyebrow rose and, inside, I quaked.
There was no way I wanted to lie, so my neck tensed, and I closed my eyes as I said, “Fine.” For a moment, I just breathed, then I said, “My parents left enough for the six of us, but I think a few of my cousins added dollars to that inheritance.”
He blinked and asked me, “Your sisters?”
He remembered that detail then. I should be flattered. Maybe part of me was. His words had sent butterflies into my chest, but I ignored that sense and said, “Yes. Though I’m the only one who chose not to work some fabulous dream job. My parents helped raise my cousins so, in many ways, they are more like brothers, and to pay tribute to my parents, they pooled their money to ensure we were all fine. I’ve been managing to use that to ensure Jeremy has a future.”
“You still work for the day to day expenses?”
“I need healthcare for us.”
“I see.” He played with a piece of his short dark hair that curled. He’d done that years ago, in the same spot, as we had deep discussions on the hotel balcony. The memory of the Bahamas even had a warm breeze tonight as he asked, “And, you’re happy going home alone to an empty bed?”
“Yes,” I said and didn’t move. I’d not be ashamed or admit that every night I wished for his kiss. There was nothing wrong with finding home life fun.
He had his hands on the table, but leaned closer as he asked, “How? I go crazy staring at the four walls.”
Writing. Painting. I enjoyed challenging myself, but he likely didn’t share my interests because, honestly, I found my life more fulfilling than when I’d worked in financial services. “I do more than just work at a store.”
“What else then?”
I swallowed my pride and said, “I develop websites when I’m in the mood to work.”
He sat back like I’d answered his question. “So, you work from home?”
Oh, he had no idea, and I didn’t bother to explain myself as he’d leave us alone soon. I shrugged my shoulder and said, “Part-time. It’s nothing.”
Jeremy let out an audible yawn. “Mom charges five thousand for initial set up.”
Michael’s eyes had a shine in them that sent heatwaves in me from that glance of his.
My son didn’t even pop his head over the couch as he said, “That’s decent.”
“I did a few of my cousins’ sites and they recommended me.”
“Anyone I know?”
“Phoenix Steel, probably.”
“The singer is your cousin?”
“Yes.” I licked my lips and wished I didn’t imagine what Michael’s shaft might still do to me and if he could make me see nothing but stars when he took me.
“Good references then.”
The memory was visceral sitting here with him now and discussing my family. Work. This conversation was benign. I swallowed and patted my hair like I was checking for strays and said, “If I’m going to make time for someone, I might as well charge.”
He folded his hands in front of his chest, making his muscles harden under that white shirt of his. “What else do you do?’
“I read,” I said and crossed my legs. At least with my child here, I’d not be tempted to do anything bad.
I was a model mom.
But he stared at my breasts like he knew what he’d done to them and awareness of him made me weak when he asked, “And?”
The heat in my face grew. I knew I’d never act on my thoughts or feelings, but I was tempted to kiss him again and make the rest of the world black out. However, he took any calmness or peace and tossed that out the door and left me completely rattled. And I needed calmness to be a good mom. I waited till I met his gaze and pretended I was angry when I said, “I also keep house. I help my family when they need me. What is this? An inquisition?”
Michael raised his hands in the air. “I’m just curious.”
The best way to change the conversation was an offense. I pressed my shoulders back and asked, “What about you?”
His gaze twinkled, and I realized he saw the black strap of my bra. I fixed it when he asked, “What about me?”
I glanced around the room and heard the distinct sound of Jeremy’s snoring. “How do you spend your days in hotel rooms like this?”
Michael scooted closer and his voice rattled into my skin. “I work, I go to practice, I masturbate.”
“Jeremy!” I shrieked like I’d wake him up, and my nerves were absolutely shot.
Michael shushed me and ran his finger up my bare arm that grew goosebumps from his simple touch. “He’s asleep.”
I jerked my chair back and stared at my Michael. The longing to wrap myself in him and only him was like a tidal wave I needed to somehow get away from. I refused to turn into my mom and needed to be calm and rational. My dreams weren’t real even if I was now near the source that set me off course the rest of my life. “I should get him home.”
He stood with me, but then his other arm traced mine and my body arched into him like I’d been starving. “In a few minutes. We finally get time alone.”
“I
