More Than Protect You (More Than Words #6.5) - Shayla Black Page 0,25

of hours. I gave him some breakfast. Then Griff came by with the crib, and…” I lose my train of thought when she turns her profile to me to cuddle her son—and I get a glimpse of the side of her pale, plump breast.

“Did you change him?” she asks.

“No.” I should have and I didn’t even think of it. “Sorry. It’s my first rodeo with a kid.”

“It’s fine. Thank you for feeding him.” She grabs the diaper bag, then disappears with Oliver into the master bedroom.

I find myself staring at a wall. What the hell am I going to do? I have to choose between restarting my future and safeguarding hers. And then there’s all the awareness between us, complicating everything even more.

We need to talk. I need some answers. How does she feel about Bruce? What does she picture doing with the rest of her life?

Be honest. You want to know if you have any chance with this woman.

I hate that voice in my head, but it’s right.

Fuck, we’ve talked about this. Amanda and I have no business getting tangled up in each other. She’s a dozen years younger. I haven’t even signed my divorce decree. I can’t provide for this woman, especially in the way she’s accustomed to. What the hell am I thinking?

That her family, even if they’re well meaning, is controlling. They’ll insist, even coerce her, into doing what’s socially acceptable without caring what she wants or needs.

And if she was serious about wanting me, I wouldn’t care about any of that. I would move heaven and earth to make her happy.

She emerges a minute later. Oliver is wearing a new pair of khaki shorts and a brown tank top with a monster truck on the front. She sets him on the floor in front of me with an iPad already streaming a cartoon. “Will you watch him for a minute while I get dressed?”

“Sure.” I’m barely able to croak the word, just like I’m barely able to peel my stare from her silk-draped curves.

Amanda frowns. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah.”

But I’m not. Am I seriously considering giving up the kind of money that could turn my entire life around for her? I should probably be asking myself if I’ve gone insane. I certainly didn’t wake up this morning with any thought of getting involved again. Now I’m only thinking about Amanda and wondering if I’m the only one who’s feeling something more than attraction.

“If you say so…” She turns away with a shake of her head.

“Before you go, I need to know one thing.”

“What?”

I grab her wrist and tug her against me. Her breasts collide with my chest. I wrap my arm around her middle. Her gaze bounces up to mine, and I brace her nape in my palm. Her lips part. Then I can’t resist dipping my head and taking her mouth with my own.

If I had any doubt our chemistry would be incendiary, I put that to rest the instant our lips meet. They’re sweet and silky, pouty and yielding. They ignite an instant spark that burns through my blood.

I jerk her closer and nudge my way into her mouth, plunging inside to taste her. Amanda stiffens and gasps. Shit, she’s going to slap me across the face and fire me. But no. She grabs my shoulders, presses her body against mine, and opens to me completely.

Oh, holy fuck. This woman is burning me alive—and I don’t give a damn.

I fist her hair and press deeper into her mouth to drink in more of her sweetness. My hand suddenly takes on a life of its own, sliding from her waist, down the small of her back, to squeeze her pert ass and tuck her snugly against my aching cock.

I want her. Now. Sooner than now. I’m going to lose my damn mind before I get inside her. And it makes no sense. I’ve had my fair share of sex over the last couple of decades. I know how it usually feels and how I typically react to a woman. But this? I’ve never, ever felt this belly-lit, thought-crushing pleasure in my life. Until Amanda.

Is she with me?

I tear my lips away and stare down at her suddenly flushed face and slick, rosy lips. “Mandy? Say something, baby.”

She’s breathing hard, blinking at me, mouth agape. Finally she swallows. “What was that?”

“Something I couldn’t stop. I’ll apologize if you want me to, but I’ll be lying.”

“We already agreed getting involved would be a terrible idea.” She steps