Page 32 of Deception
“That you think I’m dumb?”
Gracie laughs. “Because you can make me relax without even trying. You defuse any tense situation, and it honestly amazes me.”
“Keep talking to me like that, and I might just let you take me to bed one of these dates, Gracie Short.”
The passenger door shuts, and she waits for him to climb in on his side before saying, “You’d like that, wouldn’t you?”
“Oh, you have no idea. But more importantly, you’d like it, too. Promise.”
A shiver of excitement runs along her spine, and she takes his hand as they drive to her house. They don’t speak another word, and she swoons when he walks her to her door.Just like the movies.
Looking up, she expects Kent to kiss her, but he looks almost bashful. It’s endearing. “What?” Gracie asks.
“It’s going to sound stupid.”
“I doubt it.”
He bites his lip. “Any chance I can come inside and see Nolan? I know he’s probably asleep, but I just need a peek. I kind of missed him.”
Smiling, she nods and leads him inside. Hailey stands from the couch, looking surprised. “You’re early.”
“Yeah, we kind of got bored with the movie,” Kent says.
“I just put him down, but I don’t think he’s asleep yet.”
“Thanks, Hailey,” she says.
Kent hands her some money and walks into Gracie’s room without a word.
“I guess he’s paying me to babysit,” she says with a laugh. “I’m not gonna turn down the extra money. Goodnight!”
The giggle and hasty exit from her brother’s girlfriend tells Gracie that Hailey expects things to get a littlefriendlyas soon as she’s out of sight.
“Hey, kiddo,” Kent says as he leans over the edge of the crib when Gracie walks to watch him from the doorway. “I was hoping I’d get to see you tonight.”
“Da-da-da-da-da.”
Her heart shatters knowing Nolan’s father wants nothing to do with him. Her son deserves a father. Someone who loves him like she does.
“I took your mommy out tonight, and we had a pretty good time. Once your mommy and I get a little more time to ourselves, we’ll start spending more time all together again. But I kind of need to get her alone. You’ll understand better when you’re older.”
“Is that right?” Gracie asks with a smirk.
Looking up, he gives her a wink. “Oh, yeah.”
“Mama!”
“Hey, baby,” she says and walks over to give him a kiss. “Night night.”
The affection on Kent’s face as he talked to Nolan means something to Gracie. He really does care about her son, and it’s surprisingly sexy. Most men, especially men Kent’s age, would be running for the hills when they found it’s not just sex with her. Instead, he’s been one of the few constants in her life this past year.
“I’ll see you soon, buddy,” Kent says before they leave the room.
She walks him to the door, and he looks down at her. His tongue slides out to lick his lips before he bends to kiss her. She melts into him, and she wishes she’d inherited a little more of her father’s height to avoid having to crane her neck so much.
“You’re too short,” he mutters and picks her up, pressing her against the wall to kiss her again.
The way this man kisses sets Gracie on fire. She wants more, and no one else is home. It would be really easy to give Kent what she knows they both want, but she’s scared. There’s too much at stake, and rushing things made her a single mother at seventeen.
