Page 16 of Small Town Prince Charming

“I did, and I realized I wasn’t missing much.” She sat across from him again. “I like to think I’ve always known what I wanted and haven’t been afraid to go for it.”

“You’re a forthright person, yes.” He loved her free-spirited, fierce determination to go her own path.

“And I want you.”

Good thing he wasn’t drinking coffee when she said those words. He’d have spit the coffee all over. “One day helped you decide that? What if I’m not the man you remember? What if I’m not good enough for you?” God. He had to stop talking her out of this. He wanted her, so why not accept her affection?

“Because I don’t give up easily, and I’m a good judge of character. Plus, a guy who is taking on all the things you are can’t be all that bad. I do know you more than you think, and I see aspects of you that you try to hide.” She reached across the table and held his hand. “Give me a chance. Please?”

“You don’t realize what you’re getting into.” He stared into her eyes and every reason he’d held onto to run melted. “Trace.”

“We’ve got a busy couple of weeks ahead. Let’s give us a chance. You never know, right?”

He was fairly sure he did know. “I want to have that kiss we tried for.” He stood and tugged her to her feet. He needed the connection more than his next breath. When she tipped her head, he feathered his mouth over hers. His pulse increased and sparks shot through his body. He swore he heard birds or music or something. Maybe it was his brain buzzing from the intensity of the kiss. He craved her and wanted a hundred thousand more of her kisses.

She threaded her arms around his neck and opened to him, deepening the kiss.

Maisey could come back into the room at any time and catch them, yet he didn’t care. The naughtiness of the act thrilled him. Plus, he deserved to be happy. He liked the way Tracey felt in his arms and how she wasn’t afraid to tell him what she wanted. He wasn’t sure how he’d make the relationship work, but fuck. He deserved the chance to be with her.

Tracey whimpered and the sound nearly turned him inside out. He wanted to forget his responsibilities and keep this moment going.

She broke the connection first but remained close. “Whoa.”

“Yes.” He stroked her hair. “My head is in the clouds, and I don’t care.”

“Mine, too.” She toyed with the hairs at the base of his skull. “She’ll walk in on us.”

“She will.” His daughter had an uncanny ability to interrupt. Besides, it was getting late, and he still had to bathe Maisey before she went to bed. “The half an hour isn’t up, but we should get moving.”

“I know.”

“I want to do this again.”

“Yeah?”

“I do.” The gravelly tone of her voice slid over him, and he wished he could stay with her. “I’ll call you?”

“Yes.” She paused. “I hear footsteps.”

He loosened his grasp but didn’t fully release Tracey as Maisey ventured into the kitchen. “No ticks,” Ryan said. “I hugged her.”

“I know, Daddy.” Maisey held onto her backpack. “Can Miss Tracey come over to our apartment next time? I want to show her my dolls and my paintings.” She wriggled into her backpack. “Please?”

Tracey blushed. “I would love to—if I’m truly invited.”

“You would?” He wished he hadn’t blurted that. So much for his confidence. “I mean, would you?” That didn’t sound much better, but she knew he wasn’t great at smooth.

“I would.” She walked down the steps to the rear of the shop. “When you’re at the theatre, you can use my parking spot. My little car fits in the delivery bay, so I don’t need the space in the tenant lot. It’ll make leaving easier on the nights you pick her up. You won’t have to go so far.”

“Thanks.” He hesitated. “Text me?” He had to work on his sophistication.

“You bet.” She stood in the doorway and waved. “See you.”

“See you.” He walked Maisey across the staff lot to his truck. A piece of his heart remained with Tracey. He’d found a gem in her.

“So, can we keep Miss Tracey?” Maisey climbed into the truck. “She likes you, Daddy.”

“She does? Did she tell you that?” He rounded the hood and settled behind the wheel. “Home, here we come.”

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