Formal Arrangement

by Gilmore, Kylie

  Alex arrived at his dad’s house, the same three-bedroom colonial he’d grown up in, and followed Viv around to the backyard. The hard part of his day was over. He could even have a beer and kick back. His dad and brothers and sister would play with Viv, giving him a break. Bonus, now that Ty had married Charlotte, she’d be there and Viv always had a blast playing with Charlotte. He hated to admit it, because he tried to be everything for Viv, but it was clear to him Viv was looking for a mother figure in her life. She gravitated to women, especially those with long hair like Charlotte or Lauren.

  He rounded the corner of the house and halted abruptly.

  “Thuper!” Viv exclaimed, running toward Lauren.

  Lauren bent down and opened her arms. “Princess Kei-Kei!” Viv flew into Lauren’s arms, who lifted her and gave her a big hug.

  He swallowed over the lump in his throat and slowly approached, the sights and sounds of the family gathering fading into the background. Viv was chattering like an excited chipmunk, catching Lauren up after their one-day separation. It sounded like zoo talk. Lauren exclaimed excitedly, matching Viv’s enthusiasm.

  Viv finally wound down and turned, probably looking for him. Lauren spotted him and set her down.

  He closed the distance and Viv snagged his hand. Lauren was dressed casually in a light blue tank top, denim shorts, and sneakers. Her long hair was down, her skin sunkissed. Beautiful. Sexy. Irresistible.

  “Hi,” she said with a smile. “Sounds like the Bronx Zoo was a hit.”

  Viv yanked his hand, jumping around while holding it.

  “Yeah,” he said. “I, uh, didn’t know you’d be here.”

  “Oh!” She blushed and looked around before pointing to his dad. “Joe invited me yesterday. He says I’m on the list for barbecues and parties now.” She laughed. “I guess because of Viv. I would like to be included in her life.”

  “Ball!” Viv hollered, pulling away and running toward the shed, where his dad kept the sports equipment.

  He glanced over his shoulder and saw Viv was by herself, nearly at the shed. He pointed over at her. “I should—”

  “Yes.” Lauren rocked on her heels. “Hope it’s okay I’m here. Maybe I should’ve given you a heads-up? I mean, in case—”

  “It’s fine.” He smiled. “I’m happy to see you.”

  She clasped her hands together and then crossed her arms. Awkward and nervous as all get out. Things had been weird since their kiss last Saturday. Lauren had put the brakes on and he’d tried to respect that, but there was no getting around the attraction. It was a living, breathing thing between them. Worse, for him, anyway, he knew the sounds she made when she came. Had heard as much as felt them against his mouth. That stuck with a guy.

  “Okay, then!” she said and laughed.

  He pointed to where Viv was fighting with the shed door. “I really should—”

  “Yes!” She put her hands on her hips and then dropped them to her sides. “Ha! Of course.”

  He went after Viv, a little worried over how nervous Lauren seemed around him. He wished for a do-over with her. She wasn’t like the women he usually hooked up with and he’d obviously made her uncomfortable. On the other hand, his kiss had never made a woman come before. Maybe she was embarrassed over that, though she shouldn’t be. It was sexy as hell.

  “Daddy!” Viv hollered, slapping the shed door with her palm. “Please!”

  He reached Viv. “What do you want? Baseball, basketball, or football?” He knew his dad had toddler-sized versions for Viv.

  “Ball!”

  “Which one?”

  She banged on the shed door. “Ball.”

  “Please. Ball, please.”

  “Please, Daddy! Please!” Her brown eyes were wide and beseeching.

  He shook his head and opened the door. She darted inside and he quickly picked her up. “What do you want?”

  She pointed at the football. He snagged it and put the helmet on her. “Bat!” she exclaimed, trying to dive out of his arms after it.

  “Oh, so we’re just getting everything? Okay, wait here.” He put her outside on the grass, snagged all the toddler stuff and set it at her feet.

  “Thuper!” she hollered, trying to gather everything in her little arms at once. “Grandpop! Uncle Josh! Aunt Mad! Aunt Charlotte!” she called, though her speech still wasn’t that clear. Gwandpop, Unk Josh…he knew her sounds.

  He turned. “Everyone! Viv would like to see you.”

  Everyone gathered around Viv, who beamed, her helmet askew. Most of his siblings were there—Josh, Ty, Logan, and Mad—along with a few of his honorary brothers, Ethan and Ben.

  “You bellowed?” Josh said dryly.

  “Play!” Viv exclaimed.

  Soon they were playing an exciting (for Viv) game of tee-ball. Though the game was pretty slow for the rest of them. He couldn’t help but notice Lauren in the outfield, talking to two couples—Charlotte and Ty (married) and Mad and Park (engaged). He knew she was friends with Charlotte and Mad. She seemed a little left out, trying to make conversation and then waiting for whatever affectionate moment had just occurred to pass before getting a response.

  He joined them, even though he was supposed to be playing third base. After greeting everyone, he turned to Lauren. “You want to help me bring out some cold drinks?”

  She pushed her hair behind her ears. “Sure.”

  He tried to slip quietly away, but Viv noticed. “Daddy!” She took off her helmet and dropped it on the ground like she needed to be sure he knew it was her.

  “I’ll be right back,” he said. “I’m getting some drinks. You want a juice box?”

  She nodded, pushed her helmet a distance away and took another swing at the ball that took the tee down with it.

  “Run!” he hollered. She took off.

  “Woo-hoo!” Lauren yelled. “Keep going! Home run!”

  They exchanged a smile. She blushed and looked away. He opened the back door and gestured for her to go ahead. He admired the curve of her ass, since she couldn’t see, and kept going to the refrigerator, where he found a couple of six-packs of beer and an eight-pack of toddler fruit punch.

  “Beer or juice box?” he asked her.

  “Hmm, tough decision,” she said with a smile. “What do you think?”

  “The fruit punch is shit. Ninety-four percent water.”

  “Then I’ll take a beer.”

  He took out one for both of them, snagged the bottle opener, and popped the caps. He handed her one and then raised his bottle in a toast. They clinked bottles. “To you, the best nanny ever.”

  “Thank you, thank you.” She made a small curtsy.

  “You’ve heard that one before, haven’t you?” he asked.

  “Every time,” she said with a laugh.

  He needed better words. Something that said he wanted a second chance with her. Something that said it was cool with him that she came apart in his arms. Something that said he liked her without revealing the sharp intensity of his lust. It kept him up at night. He had needs, long-neglected needs. He wasn’t sure which was stronger—lust or like—all he knew was that he needed more.

  He glanced over at her slouched awkwardly against the counter, sipping her beer and playing with a lock of her hair.

  “You seem nervous around me,” he said. “You don’t need to be. At all.”

  She straightened abruptly. “I’m fine.” She rubbed the end of her nose. “Why? Am I being awkward?”

  Yes. “No.”

  She sipped her beer.

  He crossed to her and set his beer on the counter. Then he took hers, set it next to his, and leaned down to her ear. “I’m cool with what happened during our kiss. Don’t be embarrassed.”

  “I’m not,” she squeaked.

  He straightened to give her a skeptical look.

  She blushed and spoke to his chest. “That’s never happened to me before.”

  He grinned. “Me either.”

  Her eyes flashed. “
You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”

  He took her hand and squeezed it gently. “I’m not trying to make you uncomfortable. The opposite. I can’t stop thinking about you.”

  “Oh.”

  “If you still want to put the brakes on, I’ll respect that, but I’m hoping you’ll give me a second chance to do things right. Would you like to have dinner with me?”

  Her brows shot up. “Like a date?”

  He smiled. “Yes, exactly like a date.”

  She smiled sweetly, her voice soft. “I’d like that very much.” She hugged him, squeezing him around the middle. All that softness got to him, he felt desire stirring and it was not gentle. He could get through a simple dinner date without trying for more. Right? Except he’d never done the whole dating thing.

  He cupped the back of her neck and whispered in her ear, “This dating thing is new for me, so I’m going to follow your lead. Only thing that’s going to happen between us is what you initiate.”

  He released her and stepped back. She stared at him.

  “We good?” he asked.

  She nodded and then she beamed. “I guess we should get everyone’s drinks. They’re probably wondering what’s taking so long.”

  “Sure.” He retrieved a juice box for Viv and handed it to her before grabbing the two six-packs.

  She gathered their opened beers from the counter and took a step toward the door.

  “Wait.” He wasn’t sure if he’d get another opportunity to get her alone today. “Thanks for giving me a second chance.”

  She smiled her sweet smile. “Thanks for asking for one.”

  She sailed out the door.

  He stood there for a moment as an unusual feeling came over him. Nerves. He’d been granted a second chance and he knew he couldn’t screw it up.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Lauren was ridiculously nervous for her date with Alex. It wasn’t like she didn’t see him practically every day. It wasn’t like she’d have to screen for weirdo potential or struggle through small talk. It was just that it felt different. Momentous. Real.

  She even dressed up in a brand-new teal blue halter dress with embroidered flowers. Of course she spent forever on her hair and makeup, though she wasn’t sure why. Over the past three weeks, he’d seen her in a ponytail, no makeup, and plain old T-shirt and shorts.

  He showed up on time. She wouldn’t have faulted him if he was late since he had to drop off Viv at his dad’s house, but she was happy not to have any extra time to get worked up.

  “You look beautiful,” he said in the deep velvet voice that made her insides dance. His dark eyes were so warm and tender. For her. Her heart stuttered, overwhelmed by that look in his eyes.

  “You too.” He wore a white button-down shirt and gray pants, clean-shaven with that fresh-from-the-shower scent she loved.

  “Ready?” he asked.

  She suddenly realized she was just standing in her doorway, staring at him. “Yes.” She laughed and locked the door behind her before joining him.

  They walked side by side to his car, neither of them speaking. Was he as nervous as she was?

  He opened the passenger-side door for her and gently shut it behind her. Then he got into the driver’s seat, turned the ignition, and pulled out of the lot.

  “I’m looking forward to Chinese,” she said, desperate to break the silence. They’d already talked about going to a nice Chinese restaurant in Eastman.

  “Good.”

  Another long silence.

  “Is this weird, or is it just me?” she asked.

  He laughed. “It’s probably me. I’m working on being an ideal date and no clue if I’m pulling it off.”

  “You’re doing great. I told you I find you intoxicating.”

  His smile lit up his gorgeous face. “So you did, angel.”

  She relaxed immediately. He was irresistible. If she was the one he felt warm and tender for, the only one he’d wanted to go on a date with in years, then maybe she should see where things went. Who was she kidding? She’d been hot for him ever since their kiss—two weeks ago—and he’d done nothing but look at her since then. Hot looks, but still. Didn’t she owe it to herself to experience passion? If it was backed up by tenderness, surely it would lead in the right direction. “How long do you have before you have to get Viv?”

  “I said I’d pick her up at nine.”

  She smiled to herself.

  “Why?” he asked.

  She shook her head. He gave her a speculative look but didn’t push.

  Dinner was much more relaxed. The food was excellent—they shared two courses and an appetizer of her favorite fried pork dumplings. Alex asked her tons of questions, wanting to know about her job, her travels, her hobbies. She filled him in and asked the same. Turned out they’d both backpacked across Europe, though at different times. Alex had always worked freelance with his graphic design and was now glad he had because it gave him the flexibility he needed to be there for Viv. She loved that about him. The minute they finished dinner, she invited him back to her place for a drink.

  Once there, Alex sat on her sofa and she sat next to him. Now she wasn’t sure what to do. She’d thought inviting him in was a green light to a hot makeout session. He wasn’t even trying to hold her hand.

  “Where’s your roommates?” he asked.

  “Huh?”

  “Your cats?”

  “Oh. They sleep on my bed mostly. They don’t come out for company.”

  She blew out a breath. Should she just launch herself at him or ask him to kiss her? Why did he have to be a gentleman and only act on her initiative? She’d never seduced a man in her life.

  “Nice place,” he said. “I like the colors.”

  She glanced around distractedly. She liked cool pastels with warm accents of jewel tones. Her sofa was a pale gray, the pillows emerald and ruby. The coffee table and end tables were smooth dark wood and held unscented candles of different sizes. She liked cozy. But right now she didn’t want cozy and comfortable.

  She took a deep breath and turned to him. “Alex?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Are you hungry?” she blurted.

  “We just ate.”

  She put a hand to her forehead and closed her eyes. “I meant thirsty.”

  “Sure.”

  “Me too.” She went to the refrigerator and pulled out a bottle of chardonnay. She poured them both a glass and returned to the living room.

  He took a sip and set it on the coffee table. She took a greedy swallow, needing some liquid courage to make a move. She glanced at him and he smiled.

  “What time is it?” she asked way too loud.

  He checked his cell. “Seven forty-five.”

  They had an hour. He’d need at least fifteen minutes to get to his dad’s house. She didn’t have time to flounder around.

  “I don’t want you to be late,” she said and took another swallow of wine.

  “I’m good. Viv’s doing a lot better since that one molar came in.”

  “Yes, that must’ve been a relief for her.”

  “For both of us,” he said with a laugh. “Now that she’s sleeping better and just dealing with one teething molar, she’s starting to show signs of being her old sunshine self.”

  She stared at his hands, at the long tapered fingers. Should she just put them on her? Or maybe she should put her hands on him. But where to start? She drained her wine.

  He watched her set the empty glass on the coffee table with a clank. “I can’t thank you enough for helping us over that speed bump with the medicine. We couldn’t have done it without you.”

  She scooted closer, lifted a hand and couldn’t decide where to put it. His cheek? His shoulder? His crotch? Her hand felt weird, tingly and shaky, exposed with confused intent. She stared at his mouth and realized he was talking. “What?”

  He took her hand hovering in the vicinity of his head and held it in a warm, firm clasp. He gave her a small smile and his e
yes were so very warm on hers. “I said you’re a miracle worker.”

  “Oh.”

  “How’re my old-soul eyes looking now?”

  “So much better,” she breathed, lost in the warm and tender look. “More warmth, a lot less pain. So you’ve had time to deal with the heavier stuff?”

  “All I did was let the light of Lauren into my life.”

  “Oh, Alex…” She lifted her other hand and slid her fingers through the rough cut of his hair and then curled them around the nape of his neck. He stayed stock-still, watching her. She slowly closed the distance and placed a soft kiss on his warm lips. She pulled back and met his eyes. Warm, so warm.

  “Again, please,” he said.

  She kissed him again, more firmly this time, reveling in the heat, venturing to taste. His hand still held hers, the rest of him still. She pulled back to check in with him again, surprised he was so, well, restrained.

  His dark eyes were hot on hers. She could feel the tension in him, like he was working hard to keep passion in check. To let her take the lead. But she liked his passion, craved it.

  “You know how you’re new at dating?” she whispered.

  He gave her a rueful smile. “Yeah.”

  “I’m a little new at seduction.”

  He cupped her face with one hand and stroked his thumb over her bottom lip, pressing on it. “I’m open to whatever you want.”

  She kissed him again and somehow kept kissing him as she straddled his lap. Maybe she did have some seductress moves. Her dress shifted to hip level. He spread his legs, opening her on top of a hard bulge she felt through the thin barrier of her panties. His hands slid up her bare thighs to her hips, where they stayed. Her turn. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him with wild abandon. He groaned, his tongue delving deep, his hands moving now, one hand cupping her bottom, the other sliding over the damp panel of her panties. And then the kiss changed, his mouth hard and demanding as his fingers slipped under the panties to stroke her intimately. She was lost in sensation, no longer in control, no longer caring.

  His mouth trailed to her neck, biting and sucking, sharp sensations penetrating the hazy pleasure of his skillful fingers. She rocked her hips mindlessly, moaning softly and then louder and louder until his mouth covered hers, his long fingers sliding inside her, his thumb pressing in exactly the right spot. Her body jolted and then his thumb was moving, working her as his fingers thrust. Everything in her tightened and then exploded, her harsh cry swallowed by his mouth.