Page 8 of Just One More Temptation

Feeling bad for him, she reached out, placing a hand on his shoulder. Even over the suit fabric, she felt the strength in his shoulder muscles.

Ignoring the dangerous sexual awareness she experienced around him, she turned her attention to the issue at hand. “I can understand them missing their mom,” she said. “I lost my mother when I was their age.”

She skipped the hows of her mother’s death. Not only did she not like to revisit that time, but the idea of someone killing her parent while she was sleeping in another room was still hard to accept or cope with. She’d had enough therapy to function without blaming herself, but it wasn’t easy.

His harsh expression softened and she caught a glimpse of the same man he was around his girls. “I’m so sorry,” he said.

“Thank you.” She swallowed hard. “And I know there needs to be consequences for their actions. I’m just saying… I can understand why they’re gravitating to me.”

He nodded. “I can, too. Not that I see any real resemblance between you and Charlie. That’s their mother. But if they thought so from behind, there will be no changing their minds.”

She understood and a sudden thought occurred to her that might help. “Listen, I have an idea. One that would make the twins happy and would give you a break from worrying about them,” she said.

He raised an eyebrow. “I’m all ears.”

“Right now, our classes at the paint and sip studio next door are for adults. I’m thinking of expanding to giving art lessons to kids but I don’t want to turn this into a preschool painting place. Your girls are just the right age and I could have them come in to paint and learn. I could see how they react and if the experiment is something I want to do for real.”

He eyed her with an admiring stare. Obviously, she’d said something right.

“I know they’d love the idea, but let’s schedule it for after their punishment ends.”

“Of course. That’s fine.” She smiled, excited to teach the twins to paint.

He tipped his head toward the girls and they walked back over to where they stood.

“We’re sorry, Daddy,” they said in unison, this time, the apology sounding heartfelt instead of rote and Fallon was fascinated how often they spoke the same sentence at the same time.

Noah knelt down so he was at eye level with them. “I love you both so much and I couldn’t handle it if something happened to you. Got it?”

“Got it,” they chimed together and came in for a group hug.

Watching Noah’s affection toward his girls warmed her heart and that was the moment Fallon knew she was in trouble.

“Are we still going out for dinner?” Dakota asked, her tone hesitant.

Noah frowned and Fallon could see he wasn’t sure which decision was best.

Finally, he groaned and said, “Considering I didn’t plan on cooking, yes. We are.”

“Can you come, Fallon?” Dylan asked.

“We’re going for burgers and they have world-famous milkshakes. Please?” Dakota put her hands together and pleaded with her to come.

Noah ran his fingers through his hair, a gesture she bet he did a lot where the girls were concerned. Once again, they’d caught him off guard, Fallon thought, trying not to laugh.

He shifted on his feet, obviously uncomfortable and unsure how to get out of the invitation.

“Girls, I’m certain your father wants time alone with you,” she said, giving him the opportunity to discuss their wandering tendencies and letting him off the hook.

No need to put him in the position of telling her he didn’t want her to join them. The notion already hurt her feelings but she knew having dinner with this little family was a bad idea.

“Please?” Dakota asked. “Don’t you like hamburgers and milkshakes?”

She glanced at Noah, beseeching him with her eyes to get her out of this mess.

“Do you like burgers and shakes?” he asked instead, all but inviting her instead of taking the out.

She blinked in surprise. “I do but—”

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