Page 21 of Fake To Forever

Driving away from his house, my mind races with thoughts about the kiss we just shared. It was so intense… easily the most intense kiss I’ve ever had. I can’t explain it, but there’s something about Chris that brings out this deep, primal need within me. It’s kind of scary how overwhelming my desire for him became. Even now, it simmers beneath the surface, as if just waiting for our next encounter to blaze back to life.

Squeezing my steering wheel tighter, I try to push the thoughts of him and I from my head. It can’t happen again. No matter what.

No matter how amazing that kiss was, it’s a one and done thing. Maybe someday, after Oliver has left my care…

My phone suddenly buzzes and I glance down at it, not at all surprised to see Chris’ name flashing across the screen. Guilt twists my belly, but I shove the feeling away as best I can. Instead of answering, I let it go to voicemail. Hearing his voice right now would be too great of a temptation.

It’ll be okay. I’m just worked up right now, but tomorrow, I’ll be calmer and more rational. Chris and I will talk about what happened, and I’ll explain why it simply can’t happen again. Everything will be fine… just fine.

I’m an adult woman who can control her urges… even when they’re tempted by the sexiest man I’ve ever met in my life.

Shaking my head, I banish thoughts of Chris away and focus on the road ahead… both literally and figuratively.

In the morning, everything will be easier to deal with… including my burning need for the hot new dad at my center.

Chapter Eight: The Truth

Christian

Last night, after coming back downstairs from Oliver’s room, I’d expected Haven to be waiting for me so we could continue where we left off. However, disappointment filled me when I discovered she’d left. At first, I thought maybe she went to the downstairs bathroom. But after gazing around, it was clear she was gone.

Confusion fills me, as well as embarrassment. I thought she was as into the kiss as I was. But maybe I’m wrong? Maybe I read too far into her flirtation and sweet personality and completely had the wrong idea about everything.

As much as I thought about letting Oliver skip daycare today because I’m unsure of what I’m going to be walking into when I see Haven this morning, I know I can’t. Structure is important for children his age, and I can’t change what I’m building for him just because I was a fucking idiot.

Embarrassment continues to course through me as I walk Oliver down the hall of the daycare toward his classroom. I’m usually so much better at reading people, but clearly I misread her somehow. Still, the way she responded to my kiss… how her body went soft and pliant and how eagerly her lips moved against mine… could I really have been so wrong?

When we reach the classroom door, I pause. Oliver looks up at me with a confused frown and tugs at my hand.

“Daddy, I want to play.”

I look down at him and force a smile. Trying hard not to let it show how bothered I am about being here right now. “Right, right. I know, bud. Daddy just got distracted.”

“Diss—tract—ed?”

“Yeah, don’t worry about it, buddy,” I insist with a chuckle ruffling his hair. “Let’s go in and see your friends.”

I open the door and we walk inside. Other children are already playing and Oliver immediately releases my hand to go join them.

“See you later,” I call after him, but he doesn’t seem to hear me. Or, more likely, he doesn’t really care as his focus is already locked onto a tub of blocks.

Glancing around the room, I spot Haven. She’s squatting in front of a little girl, listening intently as the kid talks to her animatedly. Haven is smiling and nodding, and I can’t help but grin at the sight. She looks beautiful today with her hair pulled back in a ponytail, wearing a blue shirtdress.

As if she can feel my eyes on her, Haven looks up and meets my gaze. My heart races and the color drains from her face. She tells the little girl something and then stands up. Twisting her hands together in front of her nervously, she crosses the room to her teacher’s aide, whispers to the woman, and then moves toward me.

“Hey,” she says when she reaches me.

“Hey,” I reply, slipping my hands into my pockets, rocking back on my heels. Christ, why am I being so awkward? It’s not like I’ve never been rejected before. I mean, it hasn’t happened in a long, long time, but still… it’s happened.

“Um… I want to apologize for last night,” she says in a soft voice. “I shouldn’t have just taken off like that, but…”

“It’s okay,” I assure her. This isn’t a conversation I’m keen on having, especially not with Oliver nearby. “We don’t need to revisit it. It happened, it’s over. We can move on.”

She furrows her brows and looks taken aback by my response.

“Oh, okay,” she murmurs. “I just wanted to make sure there were no hard feelings or anything.”

I swallow hard, feeling a knot of unease tighten in my chest. The last thing I want is for Haven to think I’m brushing her off, but how do I handle this without making things even more uncomfortable?

---