by Elle James
One after the other, Sean knocked over the targets, winning a bright purple unicorn for Mica.
The child was beside herself, she was so happy, nearly hugging the stuffing out of that fat, purple unicorn.
They met up with the others in front of the funhouse.
“Are you going in?” Tag asked. “Leslie and I have been through twice already. We almost got lost in the mirrors.”
Leslie laughed and leaned into Tag’s arm. “This graceful guy nearly broke his nose on one of the mirrors. I told him it was a mirror, but he didn’t believe me. He thought it was reflections bouncing off the walls. So, he walked right into it.” She laughed out loud. “Funniest thing I’ve ever seen.”
“We were just about to go in,” Coop said, holding Emma’s hand.
“I want to go,” Mica cried.
“Let me take Mica,” Leslie said. “I know the way through now.”
“Mica, do you want to go with Auntie Leslie?”
Mica nodded, clutching her purple unicorn under her arm. She reached for Leslie’s hand with her free one, and off they went, ducking through the door of the funhouse trailer.
“Are you game?” Sean asked Ava.
She smiled and nodded. “Lead the way.”
He held out his hand, and she took it.
For the first time that night, he was touching Ava. That zing of awareness traveled from where their palms connected, all the way up his arm to spread through his chest, warming him all over his body.
They silently waited their turn to enter the funhouse. When the carnival worker waved them in, Ava glanced up at Sean.
He smiled and circled his arm round the lower part of her back. “Let’s do this.”
Once inside, they walked through a dark area where spooky clown puppets sprang out, laughing maniacally.
Ava shrank into Sean, wrapping her arm around him to get even closer. The clowns ended in a maze of mirrors.
One after the other, Sean and Ava bumped into walls of mirrors, until they were so turned around Sean didn’t know which way was forward and which was backward.
Ava laughed and turned in his arms, planting her hands on his chest. “I think we might be stuck in here for a while.”
His hands rose to rest on her hips. “That would be all right with me,” he said softly, the sound of clown laughter fading in the intensity of Ava’s gaze.
“Me, too.”
Then he pulled her closer and pressed his lips to hers in a kiss that felt as if it originated in the depths of his soul.
She wound her fingers into the hair at the back of his head and dragged him even closer, pressing her breasts to his chest, her hips to his.
Sean wished the moment could have lasted forever.
A shout of laughter sounded from somewhere in the maze of mirrors as another couple left the clowns behind and started into the maze.
“We have to go,” he said, regret weighing on his words.
“What if I don’t want to?” she asked.
“Then the carnies will come in and boot our asses out.” He brushed his lips across hers in the briefest of kisses. “Come on.” He pulled her hand through the crook of his elbow and guided her through the rest of the maze and out into the night.
Ava frowned. “You knew how to get out all along?”
“Not at first. But then I was having so much fun, I didn’t want it to end.” He smiled as he led her down the steps to the ground where Leslie and Mica waited.
“We found our way through. Auntie Leslie knew the way,” Mica said. She stood beside Leslie, leaning against the woman. Then she yawned and rubbed her eyes.
“Someone is getting sleepy,” Leslie said.
“I’m not tired.” Mica yawned again.
“Sure, you’re not tired.” Ava’s gaze met Leslie’s. “Do you want me to take her home?”
Leslie shook her head. “No way. Mica and I have a date with some chocolate milk and cookies. Then we’re going to stay up late and watch cartoons until midnight.”
Ava snorted. “You’re a bad influence for my child.”
“It won’t hurt for her to stay up late every once in a while.” Leslie leaned toward Ava. “Besides, I don’t think someone will make it past the milk and cookies.”
“I’m not sleepy,” Mica insisted.
“That’s right. We have a plan for the night, and sleeping isn’t part of it.” Leslie winked at Ava. “Don’t worry. We’ll have so much fun, Mica will want to move in with Auntie Leslie for good.”
Mica shook her head, her gaze going to Ava and then Sean. “I can’t leave my mama forever.” She tugged on Leslie’s hand until the woman bent close enough for Mica to whisper in her ear. “I might have a daddy soon, if Mama falls in love with Mr. Decker.”
Though she’d whispered, those close enough could hear her every word.
Ava blushed, and Sean clenched his fists. Mica’s mother would be worried they were setting her up for a fall. When the dating ended, the little girl would be disappointed to know she wasn’t getting the daddy she wanted so badly.
The thought made Sean sad for Mica. Unfortunately, things didn’t always turn out the way you wanted. The sooner she learned that, the better off she’d be.
“I’ll stay one night with Auntie Leslie,” Mica said. “But then I’m going home.”
“Fair enough. One night.” Leslie looked around at the other women who’d arrived with her. “I’ll see you all tomorrow night?”
Jane, Emma and Fiona nodded.
“We have some boot-scootin’ to do,” Emma said. She leaned into Coop. “I’ve been teaching Coop how to two-step. I think he’s ready to show you all what he’s learned.” She smiled up at the man.
Coop grimaced. “I’ve learned I’m all left feet, and this angel has sacrificed a couple of her toes to the cause. I’ll be out there, but it might not be pretty.” He hugged Emma close.
“Don’t let him fool you. He’s doing amazing.” She leaned up on her toes to press her lips to his.
“On that note, Mica and I are headed out,” Leslie said. “Sean, do you mind giving Ava a ride home?”
Sean nodded. “My pleasure.”
Ava frowned. “Are you sure? I could catch a cab.”
“I’m sure.” Sean gave Leslie a chin lift. “I’ll get her home.”
Emma bent to give Mica a hug. “Sleep tight, little bug.”
“I will,” Mica promised. She held up her arms to Ava. “Sleep tight, Mama.”
Ava hugged her tightly and kissed her cheek. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
“I’ll bring her by around ten,” Leslie said. “After we’ve had waffles and strawberries.”
“Waffles and strawberries? Yum!” Mica skipped alongside Leslie as they headed for the exit.
“I’ll make sure they get home safely,” Tag said and left the group.
“We’re calling it a night as well,” Coop said, smiling down at Emma. “We must be getting old.”
Emma slapped his chest playfully. “Speak for yourself, old man.” She took his hand. “See you all tomorrow night.”
“We’re riding with them,” Gage said. He and Fiona followed Emma and Coop to the car park.
“I’d like to say that leaves the four of us, but Jane and I have a charity event at the children’s hospital in the morning. We need to get some sleep so that we can get up early.” They exited, leaving Ava and Sean standing in front of the funhouse, alone.
“You really don’t have to give me a ride home. I can get there on my own,” Ava said.
“Stop,” Sean said. “The BODS deal was that if we didn’t want to do something, we didn’t have to.” He brushed a strand of her hair back from her face. “I want to take you home. Just not yet. Unless you’re tired and ready to go.” He held his breath and waited for her response.
“I’m not too tired. And I get to sleep in tomorrow.” She smiled. “What do you have in mind? Dancing?”
He shook his head. “Nothing so strenuous. You worked a
ll day, and I just want to relax.”
“Do you want to get a drink somewhere?”
He nodded. “I do. But I don’t want to share you with a room full of strangers.”
Ava’s brow puckered. “That’s sweet. I think. Where did you have in mind?”
“I have a place here in Austin. I want to show you the view. It’s amazing.”
Her eyes narrowed, and color suffused her cheeks. “Is that your way of getting me alone to make your move? It’s been a long time since I’ve been with a man, but I watch TV.”
He held up his hand. “I promise not to make a move, unless you want me to.” He dropped his hand. “Leslie vets all her clients. She runs background checks on them to make sure we don’t have a criminal record. I don’t force women to sleep with me.” His lips twisted. “They usually come willingly. But that’s not the point.” He held out his hand. “Trust me. The view is amazing.” He held out his hand. “Or I can take you straight home, and you won’t have to worry about this man making his move. It’s your choice.”
Ava hesitated a moment longer. “I haven’t known you long, but I feel in my bones that I can trust you.” She laid her hand in his. “Show me this amazing view.”
Sean’s chest tightened as he pulled her hand through the crook of his arm and led her to his truck. He told himself that all he wanted was the pleasure of her company.
Well, it wasn’t all he wanted. But it would have to be enough for now.
Chapter 7
Ava stepped into the elevator of one of the high-rise buildings in downtown Austin.
Sean had gotten them past the security guard at the entrance, and now he used a key card to access the penthouse suite at the top of the structure.
Ava hadn’t really thought more about the fact that he’d taken her to one of the most expensive restaurants in Austin. However, any man who could afford a place at the top of one of the classiest buildings in all of Texas had to have money.
She wasn’t sure how she felt about Sean being rich. He didn’t act snooty. Nor had he lorded over the wait staff at the expensive restaurant. Sean seemed positively normal.
Then how the heck had he afforded to own the penthouse of this swanky downtown building?
The long ride up the elevator to the top of the building left her entirely too much time to dwell on the fact she was way out of her depth when it came to Sean Decker. He was an enigma.
And her daughter was quickly falling in love with him as a father figure. She’d have to reiterate her stance on bringing men into Mica’s life. Already, the child had unrealistic expectations based on having only met Sean three times.
Had they really only had three encounters with the charismatic Texan? Ava felt like they’d known each other much longer. At the same time, she didn’t know much about him, other than what his profile had listed as his preferences and lifestyle.
“How long have you had this apartment?”
Sean shrugged. “Three, maybe four years,” he answered. “I live here when I’m working in Austin. I prefer to live out at the ranch. I like to see the stars as well.”
She smiled as the door to the elevator opened into the apartment. No hallway, no door to unlock. One minute they were traveling upward on an elevator, the next minute, they were stepping into an apartment bigger than five of her houses all put together.
Ava almost hated to walk across the shiny white and gray marble tiles in her tennis shoes. The rubber soles seemed to be a kind of sacrilege to the classy flooring.
As soon as the elevator closed behind them, Sean hooked her arm and led her over the window. “I really did bring you to my place to see the view. It’s not the stars you see in the countryside, but it’s beautiful and you can see the twinkle of all the lights shining up from the city.”
Ava’s breath caught in her throat as she stared down at the beautiful lights of Austin. She could see for miles in most directions through the long line of windows stretched across the length of the penthouse.
“Does it get hot up here during the day with all these windows?” she asked.
“I keep the AC set pretty low. And if that isn’t enough, we can take the thermostat even lower. And the shades can be controlled via the room remote control panel.” He smiled at Ava. “Can I get you a drink?”
He turned toward the kitchen, set into an alcove at one end of the apartment. “I can offer you anything but a frozen drink.”
“Do you have red wine?” Ava asked, suddenly needing something to steady her nerves and give her strength to be around a man who made her knees wobble and butterflies take flight in her belly.
“I do.” He pulled a crystal goblet out of a cabinet and a bottle of wine from a rack built into the wall. With the ease of one who’d done it often, Sean opened the bottle of wine and poured half a glass.
He handed the glass to her and crossed to a crystal decanter filled with amber liquid.
“Whisky?” Ava asked.
“Scotch,” he said. “I found this brand on a trip to Scotland. The same family had made it for over three hundred years.”
Ava sipped the wine, letting the alcohol give her that little bit of buzz that took the edge off her nerves.
While Sean poured his scotch whisky, Ava walked to the windows overlooking Austin. Standing a couple feet away from the glass, she took in the Austin city lights, laid out before her like a blanket of rhinestones. Or in Sean’s case, diamonds.
“You didn’t tell me you were rich,” she said.
“I didn’t think it was important to note in the questionnaire,” he said. “Does it make a difference?”
Ava’s instinct was to say yes. But she couldn’t begin to explain why it made a difference. “It shouldn’t,” she said, instead.
“Shouldn’t?” He came to stand beside her in front of the window, carrying his tumbler of scotch. “But it does?”
Ava nodded, looking at Sean’s reflection instead of the city lights. Though he wore jeans, a button-down denim shirt and cowboy boots incongruous to the opulence of the penthouse, he looked like he belonged.
Ava stood a foot shorter in her jeans, soft-soled tennis shoes and powder blue sweater, with her hair pulled up in a messy bun at the back of her head. She looked like what she was, a combination of grit, secondhand clothes and bargain store shoes.
She sighed and waved her hand at the beautiful room. “I don’t belong here.”
Sean frowned. “Do you want to go somewhere else? I only wanted to show you the view.”
“It’s a beautiful view, but I can’t stay.” She carried her glass to the massive chef’s kitchen with its shiny new appliances and brilliant white countertops that probably cost more than her entire house. She carefully set the wine glass in the sink, having only taken a sip. “Please, could you take me home?”
Sean set the tumbler on an end table and crossed to where she stood in the kitchen. “What’s wrong? Why the sudden desire to leave?”
“Leslie’s system has some obvious flaws. I didn’t ask for any of this in my preferences. I’m a simple girl with peanut butter and jelly tastes. I don’t know how to behave in a place like this. I didn’t know how to act in the restaurant the other day. This isn’t who I am, and I don’t know why you’ve brought me here, what your intention is and how I can extricate myself from the situation.” She twisted her hands together.
He took her hands in his. “I’m sorry. I didn’t intend to make you uncomfortable.” Bringing her fingers to his lips, he pressed a kiss to the backs of the knuckles on her left hand.
Why did his lips have to feel so good against her skin? “I’m not so uncomfortable as much as I don’t feel like I fit in here.”
He nodded. “I feel the same. This place has never been me. I don’t like how sterile and white it is. Problem is…I’m no decorator. It was easier to leave it as is than to change it.” He smiled down at her and brushed his thumb across her cheek.
Her breath caught and held at his touch. “I get that,” she said, her
voice soft, barely discernable.
“I bought this place because I loved the view. It’s not the ranch with all the stars lighting the night, but it has its own beauty.” He pulled her into his arms. “If you don’t like it here, I can take you home.”
Her common sense warred with desire. With Sean standing so close, her logic went on strike, and she couldn’t think straight. “No,” she found herself saying. “We don’t have to leave just yet.”
He touched his forehead to hers. “I’m glad, because I didn’t want the night to end so soon.”
All she had to do was lift her chin a little and she could claim his lips in a soul-defining kiss. Did she dare?
So strong was her desire for this man, she couldn’t control her own reactions to him. As if of its own accord, her chin lifted, and she swept her lips across his in a feather-soft kiss.
When she started to pull away, his arms tightened around her, drawing her closer.
“I drove by Leslie’s office every day this week.”
She frowned. “Why didn’t you stop?”
One corner of his mouth quirked. “I didn’t want to appear to be a stalker.”
“And you think telling me about it will make it any less creepy?” She chuckled at his look of horror. “Don’t worry. I thought about you a lot, as well.”
Sean pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Is it crazy to want to be with someone that much?”
Ava shrugged. “It must be.”
“I know how BODS worked for my friends Coop, Gage and Moose. But they were actively looking for women to spend the rest of their lives with.” He bent and kissed the tip of Ava’s nose. “You and I had constraints built into our profiles.”
“No permanent relationships. Dating only,” she said, her voice fading at the end.
Sean rested his forehead against hers. “I’m not certain how this is all supposed to work or how far you want to go with us. It seems a shame that we won’t always have a tomorrow.”
She raised a finger to press against his lips. “You’re thinking too hard,” she whispered, raising her face to his, offering her mouth to him, hoping he would accept.
He took her, crushing her lips beneath his, pushing his tongue past her teeth to stroke the length of hers in a tantalizing claim.