Page 176 of Ice Me Out

We both turned to find Hart lying flat on his back, with Jay sitting triumphantly on his stomach and waving a plastic dinosaur over his head. Amelia stood beside them and announced that the mighty Tyrannosaurus had been defeated.

Ms. Taylor shook her head affectionately.

“Those kids adore him.”

“I can see that.”

“He’s going to make a wonderful father someday.”

I watched Hart lift Jay into the air, earning another round of squeals, then reach for Amelia and pull her into the pile.

I started to dissociate right there in that woman’s kitchen. Song lyrics rushed through my head, rotating in my skull like a vinyl record. I didn’t like the picture she painted because it was too easy to see, and it was far too early in the relationship to even consider that route.

Instead of crossing myself to ward off unexpected babies, I returned her smile and said, “One day.”

An Unexpected Visitor

Hart

I had Vera pinned against my Bronco, one hand gripping her waist while the other clutched the back of her neck, and I was about three seconds away from making a series of very questionable decisions in my parking garage.

“Sugar,” I murmured against her lips. “We gotta stop.”

“Then stop,” she answered, sliding a hand beneath my shirt. I sighed against her mouth, struggling to pull away.

“You’re such a brat.”

“You knew this when you read my profile.”

No argument there.

I needed to create distance between us. But how could I make that possible when all I wanted was for her to be close?

I gave in expeditiously when she pulled me down for another kiss.

God knew I loved kissing Vera.

I loved the way she smiled against my mouth. The little noises she made when I pulled her closer. The way she always seemed to forget whatever smart-ass comment she’d been preparing when I kissed her just right.

But the reality was that if I didn’t get my shit together, the security team was going to have one hell of a video to review.

Reluctantly, I pulled away.

“Come back,” she whispered.

I laughed at her attempt to seduce me and pressed one last kiss to her forehead. “How about we go upstairs, get naked, and spend some time in the hot tub?”

“Sold,” she replied immediately without a thought.

“That’s my girl,” I said, grabbing her hand and leading her towards the lobby door.

“Why are we going to the lobby?”

“I have a delivery at the front desk I forgot to grab earlier.”

“What’d you order now?”

“Something.”