in his posture. I know he wants me, possibly as much as I want him, but he isn’t rushing things, isn’t trying to take this any further than kissing. I’m not sure that has ever happened to me. I love it. Love knowing that I don’t have to feel pressured for more when I know it isn’t the right time. Not yet.
One day, though. One day very, very soon, I won’t be able to handle only kissing this man.
Where the hell did that come from?
It isn’t like me to want something more, but with Kingston … I definitely want more.
From a sexual perspective, of course.
Not a relationship.
I’m certainly not in the market for that, and perhaps that is what makes this so perfect. Kingston is my friend, and this has been set up beforehand, so we know how it will end. No strings, no broken hearts, no expectations.
Perfect.
Very much like his kiss.
When he pulls back, his warm hands cup my face and his forehead rests against mine. He’s breathing deeply, as am I. There’s a firestorm of sexual energy swirling around us. It’s causing my body temperature to rise and those dormant butterflies in my stomach to take flight.
“When I get back to town, I want to take you out again.”
“I’d like that.” He couldn’t possibly understand how much. “And thanks for breakfast.”
“Anytime.” The word is a rumble, which stirs electrical currents in my belly. Those butterflies better look out.
A knock on the window causes me to jump. I spin around to see my daughter’s face pressed up against the glass. She’s grinning wildly while her nose is flattened on the window. She’s such a nerd.
Kingston chuckles.
“I guess I should go in.” I don’t want to, but now that Bianca has busted me making out with Kingston, I probably have some questions to answer.
“Text me later?”
I’m grinning like a fool. I feel like a teenager again. “I can do that.”
But first, I definitely have to have a conversation with Bianca.
“Can you make me and Gabby grilled cheese?” Bianca asks when I follow her into the house.
“Of course. How many?”
“One and a half!” Bianca beams. “Each.”
After setting my purse on the counter, I get to work making lunch for the girls. Bread, butter, cheese … the sandwiches are easy, but I refuse to only feed my kid grease (although it is delicious), so I pull out a container of cantaloupe and grapes, drop some on a plate, and put it on the bar in front of them.
I notice Bianca is watching me closely and Gabby is giggling to herself. I don’t know how to approach the subject of Kingston, not sure even how to explain it, but I try to come up with something while I work.
Bianca makes it not awkward at all with her outburst. “So, do you love Mount Rushmore, or what?”
I peer at her over my extremely tense shoulder. “What are you talking about?”
“Y’all were playing kissy face in his truck. I’ve never seen you play kissy face with anyone. Do you love him?”
I chuckle at her description. “I like him,” I explain.
“So, you’re dating him?”
Technically, yes I am, so I nod. “I guess you could say I am.”
“Oooh! My mommy is dating a hockey player!”
“Oh, hush.” I’m giggling at this point, and I feel like a kid again.
I dish up their sandwiches and deliver them to the bar, waiting to see what else my kid will say. She surprises me at that point.
“He’s really cool, Mom. And I know he likes you. Be nice to him, huh?”
My eyes are wide with disbelief as I stare at her, confused.
“You’re not big into dating, in case you haven’t noticed.”
No, I’m not. That’s true.
“Kingston’s a good guy. I don’t want you to break his heart.”
That drags a laugh from me. I don’t think Kingston’s heart is the one we should be worried about here, but I don’t tell her that. “I promise I’ll be nice to him.”
“Good.”
And just like that, the subject is closed. Bianca turns to Gabby, and they start chattering about hair colors while I stare at my daughter, trying to wrap my head around what just happened.
I’m pretty sure I just got schooled in romance by a twelve-year-old.
Bianca
“Are you happy that your mom’s dating Kingston?” Gabby asks when we’re sitting in my bedroom.
I close the lid on my laptop, then turn to face her. She’s sitting crisscross on my bed, and I’m in my desk chair. We’ve been trying to come up with something to do other