Tara had wondered if it was a mistake inviting him over. Was it fair to throw him into the lion’s den with an excited six-year-old girl whose exuberance for life spilled over into every word and action? On the other hand, she’d worried if it was fair for her daughter to become attached to someone who might not last. But it’s not like I’ve paraded men in and out of her life. Other than my brothers or the Kings, I’ve never had a man over.
Her worries were laid to rest as the evening proceeded. Colleen appeared to charm Carter, and he did the same with her. She noticed how he would kneel so that he was on Colleen’s level. He even joined in when she asked to play a board game after dinner. He didn’t ignore Colleen, but neither did he act as though he were trying too hard to win her over. He just seemed natural, both for Colleen and her.
Now, he was downstairs in her living room, and she was just tucking a very sleepy Colleen into bed. “You’ve had a busy day. Was it fun?”
Her daughter’s typical enthusiastic nod was slower as she yawned widely. “Uh-huh. I like our new friend, Mom. Can we keep him?”
A giggle slipped out at the thought of how much she would like to keep Carter. Clearing her throat, she said, “I hope so. But you never know, sweetheart. A few of the friends you had in kindergarten are in a different first-grade class, and you’re not as close to them as you were last year. So, sometimes our friends change a bit. But when we make a friend, we always hope that they can stay our friend.”
Colleen rolled to her side, her eyes closing as she tugged her favorite doll closer to her. “I hope he stays our friend. He’s nice and he makes you smile.”
“He makes me smile?”
Colleen yawned again and nodded. “You always smile a lot. But tonight, you smiled even more.”
Bending, she tucked the covers tightly around Colleen’s shoulders and kissed her cheek. Her lips lingered for a moment on the soft skin, and she inhaled the sweet scent that had filled her heart ever since she first held her baby girl. Standing, she tiptoed out of the room before shutting her door with a soft click.
She hurried across the hall through the master bedroom and into her bathroom. Looking into the mirror, she swiped underneath her eyes to take away the traces of smudged mascara. She reached for her lip gloss then hesitated. Pulling open one of the drawers, she fished around until she found the lip balm, gliding it across her mouth. Better for kissing… if he kisses me. Oh, lordy, I really hope he kisses me.
She had no perfume, finding that Colleen was allergic to many scents, so she sniffed under each arm to ensure that her deodorant was still effective. She hurriedly used the toilet, washed her hands, and ran a brush through her hair.
She stared at her reflection quickly, sucked in a deep breath, and tried to quell her nerves. So far, the evening had been perfect, but she had no idea what to expect now. She hastened to the top of the stairs then forced her steps to slow as she descended. It didn’t matter how calm she appeared, the sight of Carter sitting in her living room, having poured two glasses of wine that were now resting on the coffee table, had her stomach flip-flopping again.
As soon as his gaze landed on her, he jumped to his feet and stalked toward her. She was struck once again with how his presence affected her. Unlike many women who panted after alpha men, she had never sought them out. Between her family and their neighbors, she grew up with plenty of alpha men. Maybe that’s why she’d been attracted to Calvin in the first place. He was as unlike her brothers as possible. Handsome, but in a more omega male way. And now? She simply stared at the man who was now directly in front of her, exuding everything she found attractive.
“Breathe.”
Blinking at his gentle command, air that she didn’t realize she had been holding whooshed from her lungs. Her gaze moved over his face, settling on his lips. “I really want you to kiss me.” The words came rushing out before she had a chance to pass them through her filter, but his reaction gave her no time for reversing.
His arms banded around her, pulling her tightly, his lips landing on hers. This kiss was not gentle but flamed white-hot immediately as they nipped, sucked, tangled tongues, tasted, and feasted on each other. Her hands were crushed between them, her palms flat on his chest. Not wanting to feel the impediment, she worked her hands around his waist. Now, with her breasts pressed against his chest, she only wished there were no clothes in the way.
Barely aware they were moving, she jumped as they halted when the back of his legs hit the sofa. She was stunned that he’d managed to maneuver them around the coffee table without knocking over the wine glasses. He sat and gently tugged her down. Her ass landed in his lap and when she attempted to wiggle to the side, his large hands clamped onto her hips.
His gaze on hers was intense, and he shook his head slowly. “Oh, no, babe. Your ass is right where I’d like it to be.”
She grinned but had no time to respond as their lips met again and she wrapped her
