Reforming the Playboy

by Karin Baine

  ‘It depends on the time of year. We have seasons like everyone else.’

  Alfie thought for a moment and Hunter was on tenterhooks waiting to hear what would come out of his mouth next. The boy was clearly trying to process their different backgrounds and try to relate better to his father.

  ‘Can we go someday? To Canada? Together?’

  Hunter had been so consumed with getting his life set up here it had never occurred to him that Alfie might want to visit his homeland in return. It might be kind of cool to take him back, show him the sights and make some happier memories there. Some closure would be good.

  ‘We’ll have to talk to your grandparents about that but a vacation would be nice. Someday.’ He wouldn’t make any promises he couldn’t keep but he would have the summer relatively free...

  Alfie jumped up on the couch next to him, close enough for Hunter to know he was after something else. ‘Maybe we could visit your mum and dad too? Do they know about me?’

  They’d done it again. Somehow his parents still managed to ruin the good times without even trying.

  ‘Yes, they know about you, Alfie, but I’m afraid I’m not really in contact with them any more. I’m sure we wouldn’t find the time to see them anyway with all the cool things there are to do out there. You know Canada’s the home of the Stanley Cup, the championship trophy for the winner of the NHL play-offs? I’d really love to take you to a hockey game over there if I could.’ It was difficult to be diplomatic and avoid hurting Alfie’s feelings at the same time. He could rage about his parents and what terrible people they were but there was no point in them being a black cloud in his son’s life too.

  ‘Oh. Okay.’

  Not even the prospect of an NHL game was able to lift his spirits again and Hunter knew the kid just wanted to get to know his family. It was better for him in the end to keep his distance but he knew that heart-sinking realisation that wishing for something simply wasn’t enough to make to happen.

  ‘Don’t worry. You’ve got me and your grandparents here to love you and we’re not going anywhere.’ He wrapped an arm around his son and gave him a reassuring hug. It was important in these circumstances that Alfie learned to focus on the positives, who and what he did have around him. It had taken years for Hunter to do that.

  ‘And Charlotte?’ Alfie looked up at him with hope in his eyes and Hunter was afraid he was going to have to disappoint him even more.

  ‘Well, uh...’ He didn’t want to lie but neither did he know what the future held for him and Charlotte or how long she would be in their lives.

  The doorbell rang and saved him from having to explain his complicated love life to an eight-year-old. He jumped up and practically sprinted to the front door to avoid that conversation.

  ‘Hi, Charlotte.’

  It had been Alfie’s idea to invite her along too and Hunter had worried it was asking too much of her. Her last involvement with Alfie had been as a favour to him in an effort to get to know his son. A cosy family night in might be taking things too far, too quickly. Then he saw the bag of popcorn and the huge bar of chocolate in her hands and he realised she was in this with him.

  ‘Are you sure this is okay? I mean, this is your time together. I wouldn’t have come except he was so insistent on the phone...’ She was already turning back before she’d given him the chance to invite her inside and he could see the debate going on in her head about whether or not this was a good idea.

  The significance of her coming here tonight wasn’t lost on either of them. She wanted to be part of this tonight, part of their lives and, regardless of the long-term implications, Hunter couldn’t have wished for a better addition to the evening.

  He threw the door open wide. ‘Come in. You’re more than welcome.’

  The only thing that stopped Charlotte from throwing the movie night treats at Hunter and beating a hasty retreat was the sound of Alfie laughing in the next room. He was the reason she was there, gatecrashing their father-son time again, simply because she didn’t want to let him down. Hunter had been very apologetic with the last-minute change of plans and his son’s plea for her to come over, and she had the impression he wasn’t any more comfortable with the set-up than she was. It was natural for him to protect Alfie by keeping her at a distance—after all, she’d had the same worries about getting involved when there was a child in the picture—but she and Alfie already seemed to have formed a bond of their own. Goodness knew, she’d missed seeing both of them these past couple of days.

  ‘Thanks. If I’d been left alone with all this junk food in the house I might have been tempted to pig out.’

  ‘I’m sure I can find someone to help you out with that. I’ll get a bowl.’ He took the bag of popcorn from her, leaned in close until his cheek was touching hers and whispered, ‘I’m really glad you’re here.’

  With those words of acceptance she was able to walk into the house knowing she’d made the right decision in the end by taking the risk.

  ‘Hey, Alfie.’ She peeked into the living room to say hello and make sure he was still on board with her being there.

  ‘Charlotte! Guess what? My dad’s going to take me to Canada and we’re going to see someone called Stanley and an ice hockey match.’

  She needn’t have worried as Alfie launched himself at her, fit to bust with his news.

  ‘Really? That sounds amazing.’ Relations really had improved if they were thinking about taking an unsupervised holiday and she was pleased they were getting on so well.

  Hunter walked in armed with the sugary treats and rolled his eyes. ‘Now, Alfie, what did I say?’

  ‘Maybe. Someday,’ he muttered into his shoes.

  Those same words made Charlotte’s stomach sink for him. She’d heard them over and over again when she’d asked her father if they could spend time together in the early days of her parents’ separation. In his case they had always meant never but she knew Hunter was different. He was trying to build his relationship with his child, not walk away from it.

  He set the snacks on the coffee table as he huffed out a breath. ‘Well, I guess it won’t hurt to price the flights in the meantime.’

  His solid confirmation as one of the good guys immediately lifted the mood in the room and by the time the credits rolled and they’d scoffed their fill, Alfie was sound asleep in her lap and she was cuddled up against Hunter. The perfect night in.

  ‘You two really seem to be hitting it off,’ she whispered, so as not to wake the sleeping boy.

  ‘You too. I’m really glad you came. The only reason I didn’t suggest it myself was because I didn’t think it would match up to the evening I’d originally planned for us.’ He stroked her arm with the back of his hand, raising goose-bumps with every stroke.

  ‘Oh? And what did that include?’ Whatever it was, it would be hard to top this right now, but he was being so playful it was impossible to resist finding out exactly what he’d had in mind.

  ‘Dinner, music, a little wine...’ His phone buzzed on the coffee table next to the empty popcorn bowl and robbed her from finding out what the rest of that evening entailed.

  ‘I guess that means time’s up?’

  He nodded, already moving away from her. ‘They’re home from the hospital and keen to get Alfie to bed.’

  ‘It’s a shame they won’t let him spend the night when he seems so at home here.’ It seemed the most obvious thing in the world to someone on the outside, looking in, but she knew Hunter wouldn’t do anything to rock the boat with Alfie’s grandparents. He was being more patient than she would ever have expected given his strong emotions when it came to his son. During his playing days it would’ve taken a lot less for him to lash out and turn any precarious situation into complete chaos. She believed he’d changed from those days and she prayed Alfie’s guardians would recognise it soon too.
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br />   He simply shrugged and gave a half-smile as he rose from his seat. ‘Maybe. Someday.’

  From him that was an optimistic outlook on what had to be an increasingly infuriating acquiescence to their wishes.

  She eased Alfie’s head onto a cushion so she was free again and reached for her shoes, which she’d kicked off at Hunter’s request to make herself comfortable.

  ‘What are you doing?’ he demanded with a glare, arms folded across his chest.

  ‘Getting ready to go home.’ She was under no illusion she’d be part of Alfie’s bedtime routine. It wouldn’t do Hunter’s cause any good if she rocked up at the O’Reillys’ with the two of them. They were grieving for their daughter, about to hand over custody of their grandson, and she doubted having a strange woman on the scene would instil their confidence in Hunter any further.

  ‘Is that what you want?’ He was still frowning at her and for the life of her she couldn’t figure out what she’d done wrong.

  ‘I’m not going to insist on accompanying you back with Alfie, if that’s what you mean. You can rest easy on that account. I’m done gatecrashing for the night.’ She really didn’t want him to be under the misapprehension she was going to wedge herself into both of their lives at every given opportunity. This was a one-off. Probably.

  ‘That’s not what I meant. I just thought you might wait here until I came back.’

  Charlotte sank back into her seat. It might’ve been a swoon if she’d been standing up, like a regency heroine who’d been propositioned by an infamous rake.

  ‘Oh? Now, why would I do that?’ She couldn’t help herself. Every time he alluded to spending some alone time she wanted him to spell out in graphic detail what he imagined that would include. It was as close as they got to dirty talk with a child in the room.

  Hunter leaned down and whispered in her ear. ‘I think we’re past the dinner stage but there’s always time for music, a little wine...’

  In the end it was his unspoken intentions that had her bunching the upholstery in her hands as she fought arousal from completely taking control of her body. She was still sitting there, clutching the furniture, as he scooped Alfie up and took him home.

  There was no mistaking what would happen if she waited for him to come back and she had to admit the idea of spending the rest of the night with him, in bed, sounded delicious. If it wasn’t for the implications tomorrow morning. Then there would be no confusion about what was going on between her and Hunter. A few kisses here and there and they could still keep up the pretence there wasn’t something serious going on that could alter the course of their lives.

  Yet her feet still refused to move and her heart wouldn’t quit yearning for the chance to truly be with him. Even for one night. It was a risk when every step forward with him brought her closer to that family commitment she didn’t want, but tonight had shown her some risks were worth taking.

  * * *

  Not for the first time Hunter was glad he’d found a house close to Alfie. As much as he wanted to get back to Charlotte as quickly as possible, he was still able to take his time putting his son to bed. He was sure the grandparents hadn’t approved of tonight’s snack choices but he reckoned he had eight years of treats to make up to his son and a little junk food was fine in moderation. After all, someday these sorts of decisions would be entirely down to him. The consolation for their disapproval was Alfie’s sleepy smile as he tucked the covers around him, which said he’d enjoyed the evening every bit as Hunter had.

  Alfie had treated Charlotte more as a friend than a threat, or someone trying to replace his mother, and that was all he could ask for. In turn, she’d been her warm, kind, funny self and not once had she patronised or treated him with anything other than affection.

  He hadn’t even known he’d wanted her there until she’d been in front of him, but it meant everything to him that she’d wanted to spend time with them just for fun. There’d been no obligation, no plea from him to be a conversation starter this time, but she’d voluntarily pitched up to see them anyway. To him that proved she saw Alfie as more than an inconvenience or someone she was simply forced to endure. She genuinely cared. There weren’t too many women who would’ve taken a last-minute date cancellation so well, never mind brought treats for her replacement. He was a lucky guy. One who desperately wanted to believe he could have it all.

  The lights were still on in the cottage when he pulled up outside and he hoped that meant she was still inside, waiting for him. He hadn’t planned any of tonight’s events, they’d pretty much happened organically, but he did know he wanted to spend the rest of the night with Charlotte.

  He let himself into the house to find her in the kitchen, pouring two glasses of wine. The hypnotic swing of her hips as she danced along to the radio drew him straight to her. Just like the earlier cosy family scene on the couch, it was too easy to forget this welcome-home sight was a one-off. But it was fun to play make believe every once in a while. He wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed the back of her neck.

  ‘I found a bottle of white in your fridge. I hope that’s all right?’ She turned around to hand him a glass and took a sip from her own. He watched the liquid coat her lips and a sudden thirst came upon him that had nothing to do with alcohol.

  ‘Was tonight that bad you couldn’t wait for me to get back?’ he teased, and took a sip before placing the glass back on the kitchen counter.

  ‘I thought it would get the wine and music out of the way quicker so I could see what else you had planned.’ She bit the inside of her cheek as she teased him right back.

  He slowly and silently took the glass from her and set it down. Somewhere in the distance the saxophone sounds of nineties power ballads set the mood for seduction as he moved in. ‘Nothing’s planned. I thought we’d just see where the night takes us again.’

  It took him straight to her parted lips to indulge in the tangy taste of wine and temptation. He inhaled the scent of her sweet perfume as he bunched her hair in his hands and deepened the kiss. She was most definitely real and his for as long as she wanted.

  Over these past days she’d given him everything he could ever have asked for, joining forces to help him at work and at home, and trusting him not to let her down. That was a big deal given her past history and he wanted more than anything to prove he’d been worth the risk.

  He cupped her breast through her grey sweater but the bulky fabric was too big a barrier between them for his liking. He loved her urban look, especially the tight black jeans that were showcasing her pert backside and long legs tonight, but the top layers left too much to the imagination.

  ‘Take it off,’ he demanded, his desire to see her, feel her turning his voice to a growl.

  She leaned back and did as he asked, revealing a decidedly feminine silky black bra. He brushed his thumb over one nipple until it tented under the silk covering. Charlotte arched her back and primal instinct took over as he latched his mouth around the suckable point, taking fabric and all into his warm mouth. He flicked his tongue over the covered tip but it wasn’t enough to satisfy either of them. He yanked the straps of her bra down her arms to free those perky nipples for his full attention. She fitted perfectly into the palms of his hands and he lapped his tongue over the soft mounds of flesh, lingering on the sensitive rosy peaks until her groans of pleasure were filling his head.

  He skated his hand down her flat midriff, popped open the button on her jeans and made her gasp as he slowly unzipped her. Beneath her silky underwear he sought her moist heat with his fingers, sliding inside her so easily his breath caught in his throat. She was ready and waiting for him, yet he wanted to do this for her, give her some of the pleasure she’d already given him.

  He made small lazy circles at first, opening her up to him, exploring her, with the slow, intimate rub. Those ever-increasing circles soon picked up pace to mat
ch her desire, stimulating that little nub of nerve endings that had his body at its mercy too. When he pushed his thumb into her she clutched at his shirt and he knew she was close. Her body tensed around him and his excitement reached critical levels right along with her.

  She buried her face into his chest to muffle her groans, panting as he pushed deep inside her and that final burst of climax claimed her.

  He was having trouble breathing himself and rested his head against her shoulder. ‘Next time, I want to hear you scream, Charlotte.’

  ‘Next time?’ she said through hiccupping breaths as she adjusted her underwear.

  ‘The night’s still young and so are we.’ Every muscle in his body was trembling with restraint but he didn’t want this to be the end.

  He took her by the hand and led her up to his bedroom, every creaking stair beneath their feet making this feel more illicit by the second when he’d never been more certain he wanted to be with someone in his life. This wasn’t some random hook-up or a habit he’d simply fallen into and hadn’t had the courage to break. He was emotionally involved with Charlotte and that made this virgin territory for him. Once he gave himself to her he knew there was no taking it back. It was a step into the unknown he was willing to take.

  Charlotte’s heart was about to force its way out of her ribcage if this man insisted on more of the same. This much arousal couldn’t be good for a person. He’d brought her to orgasm without even getting naked and she was afraid once he did she’d end up needing a resus team. Not that it was stopping her from stepping into his bedroom. She’d always longed to see the wonders of the world.

  She gave a shiver once the door closed and it wasn’t only because she was still only half-dressed. Caught in the undercurrent of their passion, she walked towards him, being pulled ever deeper until she was in danger of drowning. Hunter undid the top buttons of his navy piqué shirt, which was stretched so tightly across his broad chest she couldn’t wait for him to take it off. She lifted the hem and ensured he stripped off in double quick time to reveal a body that deserved its own social media account.