12. Carter

12

CARTER

Heaven. Perfection. A long time coming.

This kiss is all those things and so much more.

I’m lost in a haze of lust as I ravish Valerie with my lips. I crush her body against mine, and she gasps when my erection presses against her stomach. I silence the sound with my mouth but immediately pause, worried the evidence of my arousal will pull her out of the moment.

It has the opposite effect.

Valerie slides her hands up my chest and behind my neck. Her fingernails dig into my hair as she pulls my head down and rises on her toes to deepen our kiss.

A growl rumbles in my throat, and the beast within takes control. I lift her off her feet and move forward until her back is pressed against the fridge. She wraps her legs around me, holding my head steady as her tongue dances with mine. Her skirt bunches up around her waist. My hands grip her upper thighs.

Magnets and the kids’ drawings fall to the floor.

I barely notice.

The sexy woman in my arms holds all of my attention. Our teeth clash and I nip at her bottom lip, earning me a moan that makes my dick throb.

God, I want her.

The chemistry we experienced at the resort still sparks between us. I figured as much. There hasn’t been a moment I’ve seen her when I don’t feel a pull of attraction. Only our promise to keep things professional has stopped me from making a move.

But nothing stops me now.

I rip my lips away from hers. She whines in protest but falls silent when my mouth lands on her neck instead.

She lifts her chin to give me better access with a pleased moan.

I nip, lick, and suck. I want to taste every inch of her. I want to make her feel so good that she forgets how to use that smart mouth of hers. I want her speechless and relaxed. I don’t want her to second-guess what we’re doing or put a stop to this.

There will be consequences, but I don’t give a fuck.

I want her. And based on the way she’s holding me tight and panting for breath, she wants me too. We’ll figure out everything else later. For now, I’m tired of fighting this thing between us.

It took the greatest self-control not to seek her out after she snuck out of my hotel room. Now that she’s back in my life, I’d be a fool to let her slip through my fingers again.

I trail kisses up her slender neck and capture her earlobe between my teeth.

“ Carter .” Her legs tighten around me. One hand moves to the outside of her thigh, sliding up and tracing the edge of her underwear with my fingers.

“Do you want me to stop?”

“God, no.”

I chuckle against her ear. She shivers and leans forward to lock her lips on my neck. I bite the inside of my cheek to hold in a groan. I can’t take much more of this. I feel like I’m going to bust, and I’ll be damned if I come in my pants before I have the chance to lay eyes on her perfect body sprawled out over my bed.

With that thought, I adjust my hold and carry her away from the fridge.

She pulls her lips off my neck only long enough to ask, “Where are we going?”

“Bed,” I growl. “Now.”

I feel her smile against my skin. “Good.” She goes back to kissing and biting the sensitive flesh. My erection is painfully hard, but it’s fine. I plan to relieve it soon, but not too soon. I need to make sure Valerie enjoys herself. I can’t have her sneaking out on me again. I don’t want her to want to sneak out on me again.

I begin climbing the stairs, considering my plans for the beauty in my arms when a little voice calls out from above, “Dad. Dad, where are you?”

Just like that, my libido is forgotten.

Valerie stiffens.

“Dad!” Andy cries out again.

In a blink, I lower Valerie to her feet and then race up the stairs.

I reach the landing and see my son standing in his doorway, clutching his stuffed superhero teddy bear against his chest, eyes wide with fright.

“It’s okay, buddy. I’m here.” I rush to his side and open my arms. He falls into me, chest heaving, as he struggles to catch his breath.

“I h-had a n-nightmare.”

“It’s okay. You’re okay.” I rub my hand down his back. “It wasn’t real. You’re safe.”

The top stair creaks.

I look over my shoulder and see Valerie standing with her hand on the railing, her hair and blouse disheveled, concern for my son shining in her stunning green eyes.

Andy sees her. “Valerie. You’re here.” There’s no question in the words, just happiness to see her.

“I was helping your dad clean up downstairs,” she says without missing a beat, careful not to speak too loudly to wake up Abby. “Are you okay?”

He nods bravely and straightens. My arms fall away as he steps back. “Yeah, I’m okay.”

I fight off the smile tugging on my lips. My little guy is trying to be brave in front of Valerie. “Want me to tuck you back into bed?”

Alarm flashes in his eyes. “Can you stay with me until I fall asleep?”

I swallow my disappointment. Hearing my son shout in fear had rid me of my arousal, but my desire for the black-haired beauty behind me still burns hot. But there’s no way I can deny my son the comfort he seeks.

“Of course, buddy. No problem. How about you use the bathroom while I walk Valerie out? I’ll be right back.”

“You promise?”

“I promise.” I stand.

“Okay.” He shuffles over to his bathroom, saying goodnight to Valerie before he closes the door.

I turn and meet Valerie’s stare with an apologetic one of my own. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. It’s probably for the best.”

I frown. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Her eyes dart to the bathroom door. She pitches her voice lower, “You know what it means.”

I do.

And the fact she’s regretting what’s happened between us doesn’t sit right. I want to talk about it, but we don’t have time. Andy is going to come out at any moment. This conversation will have to wait, but it will happen. I’ll make sure of it.

“Let me walk you out.”

She blinks, surprised that I changed the subject, but she doesn’t object. “Okay.”

I follow her down the stairs and wait silently as she retrieves her personal items, sparing a glance at the disheveled fridge as we pass and walk to the front door. A smile tugs on my lips.

I step ahead and open the front door for her.

“Thanks,” she murmurs as she walks past.

I step outside, leaving the door open behind me. “Text me when you get home, please.”

Her eyes search mine. “I will.”

She expects me to say more, and God knows I want to, but Andy is waiting for me.

After a few seconds, she nods and quietly says, “Goodnight, Carter.”

“Goodnight, Valerie.”

I watch her get in her car and drive away before heading back inside to Andy.

As I lay in my son’s twin-sized bed, listening to him breathe deeply with his head resting on my chest, I think of what I will say to Valerie to make sure what happened today isn’t a one-time occurrence.

Tonight confirmed what I’ve long suspected. You can’t deny a connection like ours, and I have no plans to try.

Not anymore.