Page 56 of Just One More Temptation

All in all, she’d call the day a success.

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Noah’s mother neededhim to pull a package of paper towels from the top shelf of the closet, so he followed her into the hallway and grabbed the bundle, handing it to her.

“There you go. This has been a great day, Mom. Thanks for making it so easy to have Charlie and Fallon.” His parents liked Charlie but she wasn’t always included in his family gatherings. Because she was here for such a short time, he’d wanted to give her as much time with the girls as he could.

“Of course, honey.”

Turning so he could return to the family room, he stopped when his mother called his name.

He pivoted back around to find a concerned look on her face. “Mom? Is everything okay?”

She nodded but he got the sense she wasn’t being one hundred percent truthful. He knew his mother, she wanted to have her say and all he could do was wait her out.

“You’re right. Today was fun. Liam is so antsy to open his presents. He’s such a kid sometimes,” she said with a loving smile.

Noah chuckled. “He definitely is.”

“And Fallon is good with the girls. That was a mean game of Twister they played.”

Yeah. With her body bent over, her ass out, his dick grew hard and he’d been tempted to walk up behind her and pull her against him to relieve the ache.

“Fallon’s a lovely young woman,” his mother said, bringing his mind out of the gutter. Not the thing to be thinking about with his mom right here.

Noah nodded. “I agree. I’m glad you like her.”

“But—”

He narrowed his gaze, his defenses rising. “But what?” he asked, unable to control the bite in his tone. The last thing he wanted was to listen to any complaints about the woman who was perfect for him.

“Isn’t she a little young for you?”

And there it was. The elephant in the room the times Fallon had been with his family. He’d come to terms with the fact. And that’s all it was. A fact. Numbers. They had too much in common for him to let perception get in the way ofthem. He didn’t need anyone getting in the middle of his feelings for Fallon or bringing up potential pitfalls.

“Can you keep your concerns to yourself?” He moderated his tone because he knew his mother meant well and he didn’t want to hurt her feelings.

His mom reached out and touched his cheek in a move he knew all too well. “I’m just worried about you. A young girl like that? She loves your kids. There’s no doubt she’ll want a baby one day and I know you’ve said you’re finished after the twins. How do you plan to deal with that once you’re in so deep both of you risk getting hurt?” she asked.

Once he was in deep? He was already there. The possibility of losing Fallon made his stomach twist in pain. He rubbed a hand over his face and groaned.

Happy bubble burst, he thought, wishing he could glare at his mother, but she had a point. “How about you not borrow trouble?”

Except she’d tossed a grenade in his lap and now it was all he could think about. His fingers curled into fists at his sides, frustration running through him.

“Okay.” She held up both hands. “I just had to say my piece.”

“Thank you for caring.” It was the best he could manage to say and still keep things peaceful between them.

She nodded, then turned and walked back to the family room, leaving him to mull over her words and accept that she had a valid point. No, he didn’t want more kids, let alone to start over with a newborn. Dakota had had colic. The very thought of a repeat was a frightening concept.

He needed time alone to think and he wouldn’t be finding it today. Forcing the uncomfortable thoughts she’d brought up to the back of his mind, he went to join everyone and try and enjoy the rest of the afternoon.

He found everyone gathered in the kitchen, obviously ready to sing “Happy Birthday” to his brother, but Fallon was nowhere to be found.

He walked over to Liam. “Did you see where Fallon went?”

“Lost your girlfriend already?”

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