Falling for Flynn

by Nicola Marsh

  She’d always reacted this way to him, even as a teenager: one touch and he’d send her up in flames.

  “We’ve got a lot to catch up on,” she murmured, reaching up to cup his cheek, savoring the rasp of stubble against her palm.

  His steady gray gaze held hers, mesmerizing in the soft light, enticing her to do all sorts of crazy things like lose herself in the moment.

  However, the loud beep of the microwave signaling Adam was warming a cup of milk before bed intruded and she dropped her hand, unsure whether to be grateful for the reality check or not.

  “This is a great place to bring up kids,” he said, gesturing toward the backyard and she smiled, appreciating his efforts at restoring some sense of normality after their heated moment.

  “Yeah, we love it. The house may be small but the yard more than makes up for it.”

  She glanced around, thrilled he appreciated the garden as much as she did. A wide expanse of lawn punctuated with cricket stumps and a soccer net was bordered by native trees and wildflowers. Throw in the huge trampoline in the far right corner, a tree house to the left and a small veggie patch she’d done from scratch with Adam and it was the perfect outdoor area.

  She’d spent countless hours with Adam out here, weeding in the sunshine while he foraged for bugs, pruning while he invented elaborate make-believe games in his tree house. The place held nothing but good memories and maybe she’d added to them tonight.

  “What are you thinking?”

  She turned back to him, wondering if he could still read her moods. He’d been a master at it years ago, more in tune with her than her own father.

  “Just remembering all the good times we’ve had here.”

  He stiffened and she knew she’d said the wrong thing the second the words left her mouth.

  Darn it, she’d felt so comfortable being with him, had slipped into their old camaraderie so easily she’d let her guard down and said the first thing that popped into her head. The first thing guaranteed to make him feel bad considering he’d missed out on so much of Adam’s childhood.

  “Flynn, I — ”

  “Don’t worry about it. I’m glad Adam’s got such a great mom.”

  He glanced at his watch. “And speaking of Adam, guess I better say goodnight and hit the road.”

  Silently cursing for inadvertently ruining their evening, she nodded.

  “Sure, go ahead. Tell Adam I’ll be in shortly.”

  “No worries. Thanks for a great evening.”

  They stood at the same time, gauche and stiff when they’d been close and comfortable a few moments earlier.

  She couldn’t let him leave this way.

  Not when they’d been re-establishing a bond that had been incredible as teenagers and had the potential to develop into much more now.

  He took a step toward the house and she laid a hand on his arm, unprepared for the swift rush of longing coursing through her.

  “Spending time with you like this means a lot to me. I hope you know that.”

  Compassion sparked his eyes for a moment before he dropped an all too brief peck on her lips.

  “Me too,” he said, his poker face inscrutable as he ran a finger slowly down her cheek before disappearing into the house.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Lori pirouetted in front of the floor-length mirror for the fifth time, not quite believing she still fit into her one formal dress that had seen better days. Thankfully, the simple black sheath was a classic and wouldn’t be out of place at the premier.

  After a week of family dinners with Flynn, mainly at his place where he’d cooked for her and Adam, he’d asked her to the opening night of a well-known play.

  A real date. Not that either of them had specified it as such but he knew it as well as she did. Tonight, they wouldn’t have Adam acting as an unofficial buffer between them, the focus of their attention.

  Tonight was all about them. Two adults dancing around each other and the promise of what once was?

  The doorbell rang and she cast a final glance in the mirror, poked her tongue out at her reflection and picked up her wrap. She’d been looking forward to this evening all week. It had been a long time since Lori the mom and Lori the schoolteacher had taken a back seat to Lori the woman with desires.

  She opened the door, a welcoming smile on her face.

  “Hi there … ”

  The rest of her greeting died on her lips as she stared at Flynn and tried not to drool.

  Delectable. The black tux accentuated his height and broad shoulders while the white shirt set his tan off to perfection. The good-looking young guy he’d been was nothing to the devastatingly handsome man standing before her — and he was all hers, at least for tonight.

  He stepped into the doorway and dropped a light kiss on her cheek.

  “You look beautiful.”

  He picked up her hands and held her at arm’s length, his gaze roving from head to foot and lingering on several areas in between. “Stunning.”

  Heat sizzled her skin beneath his stare, setting her alight as she wondered for a brief moment what it would be like to have no responsibilities and lose herself in this madness.

  Not that she would trade her life with Adam for anything but with Flynn staring at her with obvious desire, she’d love nothing better than to throw caution aside, invite him in and ravish him on the spot.

  “We better go,” she murmured, eager to break his hypnotizing stare before she did something crazy, like drag him inside by the lapels of his jacket and slam the door shut on the world.

  His lips curved into a wicked grin as if he could read her mind.

  “If you insist.”

  “I do.” She nodded her shaky voice less than convincing.

  His eyes darkened to pewter as she suddenly realized the implications of those two simple words. Though she’d had many offers to take her dates to the next level over the last few years, no man had inspired her enough to entertain the thought of entering a relationship with the possibility of leading to marriage.

  No, only one man had ever stirred her interest enough to contemplate being tied to one person for life — and he now stood before her, holding her at arm’s length.

  Did he feel what she was feeling? If so, he would’ve made some sign, some overture toward her since that kiss they’d shared last week. Instead, he’d behaved like the perfect gentleman, reinforcing how much he enjoyed her company as a friend, as the mother of his child.

  She might’ve settled in the past but not anymore. Though she valued the newfound tentative friendship they’d developed and admired his effort in getting acquainted with Adam, it was time to discover exactly where she stood in the grand scheme of things. She’d lived a staid life — and happily done so — raising her son to the best of her abilities.

  Having Flynn back in her life had never entered her thoughts of the future but now he was here … time to have a little fun. And she knew just the man to help her do it.

  Flynn struggled not to gape like the overwhelmed teenager he’d once been when it came to Lori.

  As he held the car door open for her, he couldn’t tear his eyes away. He glimpsed a shimmer of silky stocking as she slid into the car, the side split of her dress providing him with a tantalizing view of long, lean leg and all he wanted to do was drag her back inside, peel those stockings off and caress the skin underneath.

  Dragging his gaze away with effort, he reminded himself he intended to take things slow as he walked around the back of the car.

  He couldn’t put his finger on it but there was something different about her tonight, as if she wanted to taunt him, to drive his libido skyrocketing. If so, she was doing a damn fine job of it.

  The simple black dress highlighted her curves — curves that would tempt a saint — while her dark curls cascaded around her shoulders begging to be touched. However, it was more than her physical appearance. He’d seen it in her eyes, a glimpse of something akin to mischief bringing out the golden flecks
in their hazel depths.

  Though his heart urged him to match her in whatever she had in mind tonight his common sense warned against it. He had a long way to go to prove himself and he’d be damned if he jeopardized his long-term prospects with her now.

  “Is Jane minding Adam tonight?”

  He started the car and eased into traffic, eager to grasp at a safe topic to deflect his wayward thoughts when it came to the beautiful woman at his side.

  “Yeah. He’s staying the night.”

  Her long, loaded glance had him wishing he could too, with her.

  “Must be nice to have some time out.”

  She chuckled, her low, husky laugh making him clench the steering wheel hard so he wouldn’t reach out and haul her over the gearshift and into his lap.

  “A rare treat, believe me.”

  “Being a full time mom must be hard work,” he said, trying to focus on any other topic but the thought of her alone tonight and how much he’d like to remedy that fact.

  “It is, but I love it. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

  Flynn couldn’t hear any censure or judgment in her voice but plagued by insecurities of a newfound dad he wondered if she meant there was no room in their lives for a guy like him.

  “Has Adam enjoyed spending time with me?”

  “Yeah.” She paused, gnawed at her glossed bottom lip. “And he’s not the only one.”

  So much for the theory she didn’t want him around.

  “Careful. Compliments like that might go straight to my head.”

  “I’m counting on it,” she said, turning to face him as he pulled the car over in front of the theatre, a coy smile curving her lips as his heart thundered in his chest.

  Taking things slow sucked when all he could think about was making this incredible woman his now and forever.

  “You’re in a playful mood tonight.”

  Leaning forward, she placed a hand on his arm in a possessive gesture that thrilled him.

  “Don’t you remember how much fun it is to play?”

  Struggling to keep his libido under control, he closed the short distance between them to slant a slow, lingering kiss across her tempting lips.

  “I remember,” he said, instant erotic images of their one and only sexual encounter flashing through his head.

  It had been an eon ago and it had blown his mind. What would it be like now to make love to the woman who had once captured his heart?

  “Guess we should go in?”

  “Yeah,” he said, taking great delight in her flushed cheeks and sparkling eyes as he escorted her from the car and into the theatre.

  However, five minutes after they entered the foyer he wasn’t feeling as cocky. Three guys besieged her. They seemed friendly enough though as Lori introduced them and he smiled politely and shook hands, what he really felt like doing was choking each and every one of them for the way they looked at her.

  “Lori, we should go in now.”

  He held her lightly beneath the elbow, intending to steer her toward the theatre and away from her band of merry men.

  “Bye, fellas.”

  She waved at her admirers while he silently wished he’d never left town all those years ago.

  “What’d you think of the guys?” she asked, looking up at him from beneath her lashes.

  “They seemed nice enough,” he managed to say, while he kept her moving with an insistent pressure under her elbow.

  “Why aren’t you with any of them?”

  Her glossy lips curled upwards, her smug smile sending his heart hammering. “Because I’m here with you.”

  “That’s not what I meant and you know it,” he grumbled, a surge of pride she’d chosen to be his date tonight making him walk that little bit taller.

  “They’re friends from school committee.” She laid a hand on his sleeve, her light touch resurrecting memories of last week under the high school gum tree when those same delicate hands had molded to his chest with burning curiosity. “Let’s leave our regrets in the past tonight, okay?”

  “Fine, though are you ready to face the future?”

  With me? Hovered in the air, unsaid, as he willed her to want this as much as he did.

  “Ready, willing, and able,” she said, leaning toward him, her familiar vanilla scent drifting around them in a sensuous cloud.

  She wanted him to kiss her.

  He could read the signs a mile off and just when his befuddled brain overrode his common sense and he was about to do just that a hand slapped him on the back.

  “Hey, Flynn. Didn’t know you liked a bit of culture.”

  Amazed at how close he’d come to kissing Lori in front of half of Melbourne, he waved at Michael, torn between wanting to thank his accountant for interrupting and telling him to shove off and leave them alone.

  “And you look lovely tonight, Lori.”

  “Thanks. How are you?” Lori stepped back and Flynn missed her closeness. Man, he was definitely losing it.

  “I’m fine, now such a big client has come to town.” Flynn stiffened as Michael sent him a conspiratorial wink Lori didn’t see. “The army, you know.” He clarified and Flynn relaxed slightly.

  “I’m sure Lori isn’t interested in hearing our business,” Flynn said, eager to escape before Michael put his big foot in it. He’d warned him about keeping his secret and Lori was no fool. If Michael accidentally slipped up, she would pick up on it in an instant.

  “Actually, I’d love to hear about it some time. Flynn doesn’t talk about the training center much.”

  Michael waved away her concern. “Not to worry. You know what these soldiers are like: big, strong, silent types who blow into town, create havoc and then go AWOL.”

  Flynn forced a laugh at Michael’s description. However, as he glanced at Lori, she wasn’t laughing. In fact, she’d paled.

  “See you tomorrow, Michael.”

  He glared at the accountant, who got the message this time.

  “Sure. Have fun, you two.”

  Michael walked away, leaving them alone as Flynn took hold of Lori’s upper arms and turned her to face him.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing,” she mumbled and avoided his eyes, her gaze fixed on the chandelier behind his head.

  He placed a finger under her chin and tilted her head up.

  “The truth this time.”

  She shook her head, breaking their tenuous contact. “Michael’s right. You’re here but for how long? You haven’t given me any indication if you’re planning on sticking around.” Her voice dropped to a murmur. “For Adam’s sake, I need to know.”

  Lori knew what she wanted to hear. She wanted to hear Flynn say he was here for the long haul, that he wanted them to be a family in every sense of the word.

  Though she’d just lied to him. No matter what happened between them she knew Flynn would be there for Adam from now on. She didn’t know if that picture included her and she needed to know for her sake, not Adam’s.

  “I don’t know what you expect me to say.”

  He took her hand and she wrenched it back, knowing his touch would distract her. If ever she needed to focus, it was now.

  “I want the truth.”

  She watched the shutters descend over his eyes, her hopes plummeting. She’d been a fool to read more into the time they’d spent together. Of course, he’d invited her along to his dinners with Adam. What better way to ease into a relationship with his son than by having the mother along to smooth the way?

  Instead of seeing those intimate evenings for what they were, the deepening bond between a man and his son, she’d read way too much into them and built a stupid little happily-ever-after fantasy in her own head.

  Flynn sighed and thrust his hands in his pockets.

  “The truth is I came here to open the training facility. I didn’t expect to see you let alone discover we have a son. And now I know about Adam I fully intend to be a part of his life whether I’m here or not.”
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  But what about us? She wanted to scream. What about my life?

  “For Adam’s sake, I think it’s vital we get along.”

  Get along?

  She’d been dreaming of weddings and more children, he wanted to get along?

  So much for her one big happy family fantasy. Time to start living in the real world.

  Pasting a bright smile on her face while her heart ached, she nodded. “I agree. It’s important we present a united front to Adam, as friends.”

  As much as she wanted to hear him correct her, to say he wanted her as part of their family along with Adam, he didn’t.

  And her heart broke all over again.

  Lori was a sucker for a fairy tale. Always had been since the age of five when she’d picked up her first picture book of Cinderella and fallen into the make-believe world that promised a happy ending every time. Sadly, she’d been a hopeless romantic ever since.

  So, despite her earlier conversation with Flynn in the foyer before the play, as soon as the curtains lifted and the actors began reciting their lines, the magic of theatre captured her in its spell. She laughed, she frowned, and shed a few tears as the story drew to a close, wishing she could stay in the darkened theatre holding Flynn’s hand forever.

  He’d surprised her by reaching out for her hand and intertwining his fingers with hers during the second act. Though his action probably had something to do with the sniffle she’d tried to hide as the heroine lost her heart to the hero rather than any romantic notion on his part.

  As the lights came on, he turned to her with a smile. “Enjoy that?”

  “Loved it,” she said, wondering if he remembered her passion for a good story, whether it be in written, screen or theatrical form.

  “Thought you might.”

  He reached out, wiped away the remnant of a tear that had seeped from the corner of her eye. “Still a fan of this stuff?”

  “That obvious, huh?”

  He glanced down at their clasped hands and she wondered if she imagined the wistful expression that flitted across his face and vanished just as quickly.

  “I remember the first movie we saw.”