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He has no idea.
"I’m pretty sure it was during our first time, actually."
"You didn’t use protection?" He looks shocked now.
"I did. I had sex ed in school, thank you. It was an accident," I say, immediately regretting my words. "I mean, not the babies. I love my kids. I wouldn’t trade being their mom for anything in the world. But getting pregnant so young—it was an accident."
"I understand." He looks serious now, his jaw tight.
What on earth just happened?
"Are you mad at me?"
"No. At that idiot who got you pregnant and didn’t even put his real name on your kids’ birth certificates."
"Zeus is helping me with that. He got a lawyer for me. Their certificates will list only my name." I shake my head, smiling. "How did we jump from the age of the women you date to the paternity of my kids?"
"Everything about you interests me."
"You can’t say things like that."
"Why not?"
"Because it’s a very serious thing to say. I don’t know what kind of women you’re used to dealing with, but don’t think I’m some naïve girl who’ll make the same mistake twice. I made a misjudgment in the past; I’m not easy to fool."
"Are you comparing me to that scumbag?"
"No. How could I? I don’t even know you." I sigh in frustration. "See? This is why we’d never work out. It’s our first time talking outside the hospital, and we’re already arguing. Seriously, who fights before they’ve even kissed?"
We’re on a tree-lined street, which I believe is where Zeus arranged for Eleanor to live with my children. Madison explained that while I was in a coma, a shady social worker tried to have Soraya and Silas put up for adoption. Zeus first secured a house to meet the worker's demands and later moved them here.
He remains silent, and I think he’s going to drop me off with my family and leave as quickly as possible, realizing there’s no compatibility between us. But then, to my surprise, he turns on the blinker and parks under a tree.
"What are you doing?"
"You’re right—things need to happen in the proper order: the kiss first, then the argument."
Before I can take another breath, he releases my seatbelt. His large hand moves to the back of my neck, sending shivers down my spine.
"What—”
"Tell me to stop, Brooklyn. If you don’t, I’m going to kiss you. I’ve been dying to taste that mouth."
I try to summon a shred of willpower, but his other hand moves to my hip, gripping it possessively, and a sigh of pleasure escapes me.
I meet his gaze, captivated by the intensity in his eyes. There’s nothing cold in them now. Like his touch, his gaze melts me.
Before I can think twice, my hand moves to his face, caressing his rough jawline. The coarse texture against my palm makes me moan softly, my body responding with startling intensity.
"I didn’t plan this," he says, as if talking to himself.
"Does everything you do have to fit into your plans?"
"Not this time. I want to kiss you too much to resist."
His gaze makes me burn. Every cell in my body reacts eagerly to his slow seduction. The anticipation is almost painful, especially since just moments ago, I thought I didn’t want to be kissed.
And then, when it happens, I’m not prepared for it.