to cause a slight twitching in my pants. I’m nowhere near as turned on as I was the few times Brooklyn and I almost kissed, but it’s still something.
“I’ve been busy.”
“Too busy to stop by when I invite you over?” she pouts.
I inwardly groan. This is why I’ve always avoided serious relationships. My girls come first, no question. Not many women understand that. Or maybe just not many of the types of women I typically date do.
“I’ve had a lot going on.” I withdraw from her, running my hand through my hair.
“Like what?” She sits on the corner of my desk, the short skirt she’s wearing riding up even more.
“I won’t bore you with the details.” I return to my chair, rearranging the files scattered all over the surface of the desk to make it look like I’m busy so she’d leave. Unfortunately, she doesn’t get the hint.
“I don’t mind. I want you to share these things with me, Andrew.” She inches toward me, her voice borderline whiny.
“You do?” I lift my eyes to hers, arching a single brow.
“Of course.” She pauses, taking a deep breath.
For an instant, I see a bit of vulnerability. It’s a different look for her. She’s usually confident. It’s one of the things that attracted me to her when we first met. She knows what she wants and goes after it. She wanted me, but not the trappings of a traditional relationship. I wanted the same things. It was the perfect arrangement. But after the way we left things the last time we saw each other, I get the feeling it’s no longer enough for her, that we’ve hit our expiration date.
“These past several weeks I haven’t seen you made me realize how much I do care for you.”
“You do?”
“I know this was just supposed to be fun, a way for both of us to blow off some steam, but I’ve missed you.” Peering at me through seductive eyes, she hooks her foot in my rolling chair and drags me closer. “Didn’t you miss me?” She wraps her arms around my neck, slithering off the desk and onto my lap, straddling me.
A few weeks ago, I would have pushed her panties aside and screwed her in this very position, not caring who might hear us. But I haven’t given Skylar a second thought since the morning Brooklyn stopped by the hockey rink and I almost kissed her. The only woman on my mind lately, the only woman who matters, is Brooklyn. I suppose she always has been.
“Skylar…”
She pulls back, shaking her head in what I can only describe as disappointment mixed with a side of confirmation. “I’ve heard that tone before. Why do I get the feeling I won’t like what you’re about to say?”
“Because you probably won’t.”
She raises herself off me and crosses her arms in front of her chest, glaring. “Well then, get on with it.”
I stand, looking at her with a mixture of compassion and indifference. “I told you from the beginning I wasn’t looking for a serious relationship.”
Her expression softening, she approaches me once more, running her hand down my chest. “And I thought the same thing. But it seems more girls I went to college with are settling down, having families. It got me thinking about what’s next for me. We could be good together, if you just give me a chance, Andrew.”
I release a heavy sigh, rubbing my temples. “That may be so,” I agree, not wanting to tell her she’s not even close to the type of woman I see myself forming a long-term relationship with. She’s exactly like every other girl I’ve dated—pretty, young, petite, and somewhat lacking in the intelligence department. I suppose not feeling any more than a physical attraction has always helped me guard my heart. “But there are other considerations I need to think about.”
“Of course,” she sneers, rolling her eyes. “Your kids.”
My jaw firms, my position unwavering. “Yes. They’re young. They need stability.”
A hand caresses my arm, her gesture unlike her normal advances toward me. She’s compassionate, warm, at complete odds with the almost predatory woman I thought her to be. “I can give you that.”
I stare deep into her pleading eyes, wishing I could believe her. She reminds me too much of Carla. Skylar’s young, a dancer for the Celtics. I know her type. She’s interested in me now because she likes being able to attach her name to mine. Eventually, someone with more star power will come along and she’ll