Page 59 of Forbidden Secrets
“Addy asked if she could invite Olivia and Pancake for a sleepover.She has it all planned, including pancakes for breakfast.”
“That kid kills me.She knows Pancake’s a dog, right?”
Melanie smiled.“She does, but the line between dog and human isn’t so clearly defined for her.She measures a good day by how many dogs she gets to pet.Pancake has upped her good day count exponentially.”
Gage stared at her.“Do you ever feel like you created a perfect human?How do you live with yourself knowing that?”
Take a guy who was already appealing on so many levels and add that he thought her child was perfect?Melanie was falling for him and it terrified her.She desperately needed a parachute to slow her descent.
“Addy’s done nothing but make the world a better place since she was born.I’m lucky to be her mom.”
“That kid Liam needs to leave her the hell alone.We’re going to the farm tomorrow, but we’ll wrap up our discussion in time for you to make the meeting with the principal.”
He pushed back the coffee table to make room and got to his feet.Melanie took his extended hand, his grip firm as he helped her step over the fake-snoozing dog.
Instead of letting go, he pulled her closer, the air between them thickening.
She knew when a man wanted to kiss her.She put a hand on his chest, only barely restraining herself from rubbing the solid muscle under his shirt.“Gage, I’m not looking for a relationship.Or a hookup.”She ignored the voice in her head telling her that was a big fat lie.“I’m good with it being just me and Addy.”
“Yeah, me either.Wasn’t looking for a relationship.Got plenty on my plate without having to consider another person, and you’re not one person, you’re two.”
Her brow winged up at that even as he cupped a warm hand behind her neck, his fingers sliding into her hair.
“I’m two people?”
“A relationship with you means a relationship with Addy.It makes me cautious.”
“I see.”
“Cautious because I won’t be reckless around that little girl.She matters.But that doesn’t quell this craving I have for you.”He dipped his head, gaze heated, his lips a breath from hers.“You feel it, Melanie?This thing between us?Scares the shit out of me.”
She did and it scared her too.She tried to remember her reasons for not wanting to get involved when he made everything inside her come alive.
“You guys are kissing.”
Swelling anticipation burst like a popped balloon.She rested her forehead against Gage’s chest for the briefest moment before taking a deep breath and straightening, his hand still warm on her neck.
Pancake scrabbled to her feet.Addy stood in her unicorn pajamas clutching her stuffed mermaid.“And Pancake’s here.You invited Pancake when I was in bed?”Addy’s expression reflected utter betrayal.She dropped to the floor and wrapped her arms around the dog.
Gage pressed his lips to Melanie’s temple before releasing her.
He crouched down next to Addy.“Hey, sunshine.Pancake and I dropped by uninvited.Not your mom’s fault.”He rubbed Pancake’s neck.“Do you have a problem if I sometimes kiss your mom?”
“Gage.”
He shot Melanie a frank look.“I like direct, remember?Addy saw what she saw.I want to be up front with her.”
“You can only kiss her if she wants to be kissed.That’s what Mom always says.”
“She’s right about that.I promise to only kiss her if she wants me to.”He rose to his feet.“Pancake and I need to get back home and I think you’re supposed to be in bed.”
Addy angled her face up to Gage.“Will you tuck me in?”
Melanie nodded slowly when he sent her a questioning look.
He turned back to Addy.“Sure.Lead the way, sunshine.”
She took his hand to lead him to her room.Melanie followed, watching from the doorway.Gage tucked the blankets around her little girl and dropped a kiss on her forehead.After Addy blew Pancake kisses, he shooed the dog and walked out, Melanie quietly closing the door.
