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“Okay, thanks.”
The moon cast a soft glow on the quiet street as we tiptoed through the front door. Esme led the way, expertly navigating the dark hallway to each bedroom and guiding the kids into bed.
Belle stirred slightly as I laid her in her bed, then she rolled to her side and snuggled into her pillow with a contented sigh. Pulling the blanket up to cover her, I ran my hand lightly over her soft hair and stepped back, a weird, tight feeling in my chest.
“I’ll walk you out,” Esme said softly from behind me.
We walked back down the hallway as quietly as we could and stepped outside, the cool night air wrapping around us. I felt Esme shiver slightly as she walked next to me. “That was the most amazing night. Thank you. Honestly, we’ll never forget it.”
“Hey, it was my pleasure.” I smiled, but the tight feeling in my chest grew stronger, making it harder to breathe.
When I got to my car, Esme suddenly threw herself at me, her arms wrapping around my neck as her lips found mine. The kiss was passionate and deep, filled with a hunger that mirrored my own. My hands instinctively grabbed her ass, pulling her closer as she let out a soft moan against my lips. Her intention was clear–she wanted me to fuck her, right then and there. But I couldn’t. Not now. Not like this.
Reluctantly, I pulled away, my breath ragged. “I should go,” I muttered, my voice barely audible.
“I guess,” Esme sighed, disappointment lacing her words.
“Good night.”
“Good night.”
I got in the car, turning the lights on so Esme could see her way up the driveway, back inside. Then, as I drove away, I wished for more nights like this with Esme and the kids. But I knew that deep down, I couldn’t have that. And that thought lingered at the edge of my mind, casting a shadow over the otherwise perfect evening.
“Damn it,” I muttered to myself, gripping the steering wheel tightly. “Why does everything have to be so damn complicated?”
CHAPTER30
Esme
Itilted my head to one side, listening. The unmistakable sound of a high-powered engine reverberated through the air. I moved to the living room window, just in time to see a dark blue sports car pull up in front of our small house. It looked a little ridiculous on our suburban street, but damn, it made my heart race. Wolfe stepped out, his dark hair ruffled by the wind, and I couldn’t take my eyes off him as he walked up the drive, onto my front porch.
“Hey,” he said as I opened the door, pulling his sunglasses off and letting his gaze rove over me hungrily.
“Hey yourself.” I pulled the door wide to let him in, fighting the urge to lean in and kiss him as he stepped by me to greet the kids.
Once they’d all said hello and gone into the kitchen to get their lunch, Wolfe turned back to me. “I was thinking we could go out for lunch. Just the two of us.”
I frowned, biting my lip. “I can’t just leave the kids.”
“You can’t get someone to watch them?” He pleaded. It was a fair question, since I had managed to get Stef to look after the kids twice already so I could dash over to Wolfe’s for a quick fuck.
“Not at such short notice. Stef’s away and the only other person who looks after them is Mrs. Thompson, and she works during the day.”
“I can watch them,” Ariel called out from the kitchen.
“That’s not necessary.” No was my instinctive response to her offer, and I turned my head just in time to see her shoulders slump. She wanted this?
“Come on, Esme,” Ariel continued, her blonde hair bouncing as she looked up from buttering bread. “I’m practically an adult now. I can watch them for a few hours.”
“Practically an adult?” I raised an eyebrow, trying to suppress a smile. “You’re twelve.”
“Exactly! Like I said, practically an adult.” She rolled her eyes playfully, a small smile spreading across her face. “Go have fun. We’ll be fine.”
“Are you sure?” I hesitated, guilt gnawing at me. But the lure of some time alone with Wolfe was too tempting to resist.
“Positive.” Ariel nodded firmly, her blue eyes filled with confidence.
“Alright,” I relented, choosing to ignore the creeping guilt. “Just for a few hours.”