I have her on the weekends, but now that she’s spending more time with Maggie, I haven’t been doing that, either.”
“She never said that you cook,” he murmurs. “I suddenly feel like I’ve missed out on a lot of time with you and Gabby.”
“Like we’re off having fun without you?” I grin over at him and watch the way the street lights flicker over his handsome face as we drive. “It’s okay. We have time.”
He reaches for my hand and gives it a squeeze. “I’m glad.”
His hand is warm and strong, with long fingers that seem to dwarf my own hand. But it fits me perfectly.
“Come home with me,” he says softly. “I’m not ready to say good night, and Gabby’s not home.”
“I’d like that,” I reply immediately, not even pretending to be coy. There’s no need with Carter. “But my car is at the office.”
“We’ll go get it tomorrow.” He raises the back of my hand to his lips. “I’m impatient to finally be alone with you.”
“You’ve been alone with me all evening.”
“No, we were in a restaurant full of other people,” he counters and kisses my hand once more before letting go to put both hands on the wheel. “And now I get to have you to myself.”
It’s both odd and thrilling, sitting in Carter’s car, hearing him say romantic words. Unexpected.
Sexy.
And it’s about to get a whole lot sexier.
He parks and leads me up to his penthouse. I’ve been here plenty of times in the past, with Gabby, dropping off dinners, fetching or delivering this and that.
But this is new. I helped Carter pick this place out, back when he was still grief-stricken and trying to find a home for him and his daughter that didn’t remind him of his late wife. He told me to pick out five places, and we toured each of them together.
It came down to this one.
It was my favorite and he didn’t really care at the time. It’s an open floor plan, with a beautiful kitchen that I know he hardly uses.
Man, the meals I could cook in that kitchen.
But we don’t make it as far as the kitchen. Once inside the front door, I set my bag on the table and kick out of my shoes, and Carter rounds on me, his blue eyes pinning mine before he presses his body against me, pushing me against the wall.
“If this is too much, say so now.”
I’m breathing hard, and staring up into his bright blue eyes, already yearning for him.
“Not too much,” I whisper, just before he brushes his lips across my own. His touch is light, completely opposite of the intensity in his eyes and his taut muscles.
His hands frame my jaw, fingers brushing into my hair, and I’m immediately lost in him. In the feel of his hands on me, his hypnotizing lips.
Holy shit, this man is potent.
He grazes one hand down my shoulder to my breast and cups it over the fabric of my blouse and bra. My nipple puckers, making us both moan in delight.
“You’re so damn sweet,” he groans, but before he can do anything else, the phone in his pocket rings. He fumbles for his phone and frowns at the display. “It’s Maggie.”
“You’d better answer it.”
He pauses, gazing down at me with hot eyes, then pulls back and accepts the call.
“Hey, Maggie.” His brows shoot down in a frown. “You’re kidding me.”
He drags his hand down his face and looks over at me with regret.
Our night is over.
“Of course you did the right thing. Yes, I’m on my way. No, it’s okay. Sure, put her on. Hi, sweetheart. I’m so sorry you’re sick. Yes, I’m coming to get you right now. You didn’t ruin anything.” He smiles now. “Don’t worry, okay? I’ll see you in a little bit.”
He hangs up and turns to me.
“What’s wrong?” I ask immediately. “What’s wrong with Gabby?”
“Chicken pox,” he says and shakes his head. “Maggie took her to urgent care, just to be sure. My kid has the chicken pox.”
“Oh, the poor thing.” I reach for my purse. “You go pick her up and I’ll go to the pharmacy for supplies and meet you back here.”
I’m tugged into Carter’s arms, in a strong hug. “You don’t have to stay.”
“If you’d rather I didn’t—”
“That’s not what I said,” he replies quickly. “You’re welcome to stay, if you’ve already had the chicken pox.”
“I did. And I’m happy to stay and help. Taking care of a sick kiddo isn’t easy.”
“Are you sure? I’m