Page 69 of The Perfect Distraction

Gliding his hands up and down her back, he said, “Whatever it is, I’m here for you.”

“Thank you,” she mumbled against his shirt. She inhaled deeply and relished his fresh, clean scent, which then made her wonder what she smelled like. Pulling back, she said, “I should probably take a shower before I come over.”

He shrugged. “You’re welcome to come as you are if you don’t mind the neighbors seeing you in your pajamas.”

“It’s not my pajamas I’m worried about. It’s my hair!” she said with a laugh.

“Okay, but don’t take too long. Joey’s not kidding about eating all the good donuts.”

He turned to leave, but then quickly turned back. Before she knew it, he had her leaned up against the counter (or maybe she was already there) and was kissing her like he didn’t care what state she was in.

Somehow, her robe had come untied, and he slid his warm hands under the back of her pajama top. Twining her arms around his neck, she sank into the kiss, pressing her hips against his and sliding her fingertips into his silky soft hair.

A moan slipped out, and she wasn’t sure if it was hers or his, but it didn’t even matter. All she wanted was this, was him. When Colton pulled back, they were both panting, and touching his forehead to hers, he said, “I don’t know if I can wait until next weekend.”

She had to laugh. “Seriously? Look at me. I’m a mess!” And she didn’t just mean physically, although he didn’t need to know that.

“I don’t care. I want you, Beth.”

Between his words and his erection pressing into her abdomen, she knew he meant it, and she felt the same way. But once again, they had Joey to think about.

“Go and let me get ready before Joey gets suspicious.”

“I’m pretty sure he’s already suspicious. In fact, I was thinking about telling him about us.”

Her eyes bulged, or at least, they would have if they didn’t hurt to open that wide.

“You want to tell him?”

“Yes. I’m tired of sneaking out for a goodnight kiss. I want Joey to know that we’re seeing each other so we don’t always have to be worried about him catching us.”

Her head was spinning. It was all too much, and she felt like she was going to faint. “Colton…”

“Okay. So maybe you’re not quite ready, but soon, okay? I don’t want to keep tiptoeing around my son like he’s the adult and I’m the kid.”

She nodded. “Soon.” That was all she could handle for now.

“Go get ready, and I’ll have a big mug of coffee waiting for you. How’s that?”

She smiled wide. “Sounds perfect.”

That time, he turned around and left, and she watched him jog back across the driveway with a smile still plastered on her face.

How was it possible to feel so much for someone in such a short amount of time? She’d never experienced anything like it. She couldn’t remember feeling the same intensity when she’d first started dating Christopher. Was it so long ago that she’d forgotten? Although, who could forget something like that?

Forcing all thoughts of Christopher aside, she showered, dressed, and swallowed an ibuprofen. Afterward, she packed everything she needed for Joey’s lesson and a day at the beach and headed out the door. She’d already kept Colton and Joey waiting long enough.

A minute later, it was Joey who answered her knock.

“Come on in. I saved a chocolate donut for you.”

“How’d you know that was my favorite?”

“Dad said all women like chocolate.”

“Is that so?”

“Isn’t it true?” Colton asked, coming into the kitchen to join them.