Page 56 of The Single Dad's Guide to Recreation

“Before that. I’ve been… lost, I think. So overwhelmed by trying to be the best partner to a woman who didn’t want me, and a decent parent to children we hadn’t planned for.”

I let his words, as well as the real pain I hear in his voice, sink in for a moment. But it’s when I finally meet his eyes that his hurt reaches inside my heart and pushes away the envy. Squeezing his hand, I ask, “Would you go back and change your choices? If you could?”

He shakes his head without hesitation. “I wouldn’t give up my kids for anything. I only wish they—Mabel, really—hadn’t suffered because Lisa was so depressed, and I didn’t know how to fix it.”

“I’m not sure I?—”

“You don’t have to commit to anything right now, Avery. But I want you to know, if you’re up for taking on my package deal, I want you in our life.”

Hope of my own swirls around my heart, but something—I’m not sure what—has me holding back. “Let’s… sleep on it?”

“If by sleep you mean let me make you come as many times as possible before we pass out, sated and satisfied, then my answer is yes.”

How can I say no?

“There you are.”

The next morning, when I look up from the desk where I’ve been scribbling away, it’s confirmed. Josh is too good to be true. No one has the right to look as sexy as he does all sleep-rumpled and half-awake.

“Everything okay?” he asks.

I look down at the notebook I’ve filled with ideas. “Yes, actually.”

He shuffles over and gives me a kiss on the side of my neck that’s as sexy as it is sweet. “Did you sleep oka—” He veers past my shoulder to sniff my mug deeply. “Is that coffee?”

“Did you want some to drink or do the fumes just do it for you?”

“I like to start small,” he says. “But if there’s more where that came from, I would be forever indebted to you.”

Smiling as I think about how I might call that debt, I slip out of my chair and head for the kitchenette. As I’m pouring him a cup, I notice that he’s just standing there, gazing out the window. “Didyousleep okay?”

His smile in answer is practically beatific. “I slept better than I have since… I have no idea how long.”

When I hand him the mug, he takes a sip and then closes his eyes on a moan. “One, this is the best hotel coffee I’ve ever had. Two, how did you know how I like it?”

I bat my eyes as smugly as I can. “One, I brought my own beans and pour-over supplies. Two, I’ve had coffee with you. I’ve seen what you do to it.” One tiny splash of milk and no sugar wouldn’t work for me but I’m not here to judge people’s coffee preferences.

“I feel like I’m still dreaming. And I was having such good dreams.” The right side of his mouth quirks and his grin turns devilish. “You had starring roles in all of them.”

He sets down his mug and opens his arms wide. I take the invitation, snuggling into his chest as he wraps his arms around me tight. “Humans need eight hugs a day. I read that recently.”

“I don’t think I’ve been getting enough.”

“We need to do something about that.”

“Are you saying you’ll take responsibility for my eight daily hugs?”

“I’d like to.” His hands roam down my back. “I’d like to take on all of your hug-related needs.”

“Like kisses?”

He levers back to answer my question with a slow, sensual kiss.

“You’re hired.”

“What about caresses?”

I tap my chin, pretending to consider. “Hmm… Let’s see what you’ve got.”

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