Page 42 of Crying Shame

Her new shoes must not be broken in, as she had a nasty cut. I stood and grabbed cream from a first aid kit. “Baba always said the secret of his success was appreciating his life as it was and wanting to give back and invest in people and their dreams.”

I dabbed her foot with the cream, and she recoiled like it stung. She reminded me of some of my patients. I finished with the medicine and sat back down beside her.

“He’s amazing, but it’s honestly your mom who always impressed me with her kind heart.”

We picked up our drinks. “She’s my pedar's perfect match, I think. I have no idea what I’d be like if they hadn't taken me in.”

She gazed at me, and once again I had the feeling we were alone.

“Don’t even think about that and upset yourself," she said.

“I’m not.” My heart thumped, and I folded my hands together. “Can I tell you how beautiful you look tonight?”

Her face pinkened, and her eyes went as wide as saucers. “Thanks. It’s so easy to be with you that it’s kind of scary.”

I stilled. “I’m not trying to scare you.”

Her lips quirked higher. “You’re not. You’ve been an absolute gentleman. I’d stopped believing your type existed.”

My heart beat faster. “Type? What type?”

She brushed my cheek with her fingers. “A nice guy I might believe in and… hope Sam models after.”

My lips tingled for a taste of her, but I held back. “I want to show my son I’m here for him in more than a material way.”

She scooted closer, and awareness rushed through my veins. “You will. It’s slow right now, but you’re both great guys.”

I asked, “And you?”

“I’m not a guy.” She giggled.

I laughed. With anyone else, I’d have come closer for a kiss, but I held still. I was weak with Clarissa. I swallowed. “No, you’re not, but you are great.”

She lowered her lashes. A moment later, her lips pressed against mine, and I forgot the rest of the world.

She was in my arms again.

As the kiss ended, every cell in my body was burning with desire. I remembered her soft skin and pert nipples and how I used to burn for her. I still did.

The helicopter landed, and she sat back. “It was inevitable.” She unbuckled her seatbelt. “We’re home.”

I unbuckled too. She motioned to Sam. “Carry our son to his bed.”

“On it.” I jumped to my feet. After Sam was in bed, I needed to have another taste of her. One wasn’t enough.

I unbuckled Sam and picked him up. I glanced at Clarissa and wondered how she managed to do this as he seemed too heavy for her to carry.

We disembarked, and I followed her on the path. She unlocked the door, and we headed upstairs. We were both silent until she said, "Thank you."

I held our son tight so he didn’t feel any jarring when we climbed the steps. “This is just as much your life as it is mine.”

She shook her head and opened the bedroom door. “It would be so easy to fall into believing in fairy tales again with you.”

I gazed down at her without moving. “I believe in you.”

“Let’s focus on Sam and go to bed.” She directed me to our son's bed as she grabbed his nightclothes.

“Of course.” I took off his shoes.