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CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Kassandra

How was one supposed to act the morning after having the best sex of their life?

I wasn't asking for a friend. I needed to know because right now, I was freaking out.

Sex with David wasn't just good.

It wasn't just great.

It wasn't even fantastic.

It was out of this world, and I wanted more of it. Lots more. Like every day for the rest of my life, and not because my heart was involved, even though it was, but because it was that damn good . I wanted copious amounts of sex to make up for the years I had been missing out.

And now I sounded like a damn hussy. I threw my blankets aside. It was time to get my ass moving or I would be late.

I felt it the first step I took. The delicious soreness between my legs that reminded me exactly what I put my body through the night before. Not that my mind could forget, but it was nice to have the extra hint throughout the day.

My morning routine was rushed. I didn't have time to blow-dry my hair, so instead, it went into a bun at the nape of my neck. Precious seconds were spent picking my outfit for the day. I knew David liked me in skirts and dresses, but I was feeling the need for a changeup. I yanked a pair of wide-legged dress pants off their hanger and paired it with a cute blouse.

The outfit still showcased my curves, so I considered it a win. Adding a few accessories, I was finally confident enough to face the music.

Or at least I thought I was.

Until I stepped into the kitchen and found David once again behind the stove cooking breakfast and both Mikey and Nate eating at the table. Suddenly I was back to being unsure of how I was supposed to act.

"Good morning!" My voice was a few octaves too high and drew the attention of everyone in the room.

"You okay, Mom? You look a little red."

Well, if I wasn't failing at this whole keeping-it-cool thing, then I was Santa Claus himself.

"Ah, yup. Just woke up late and had to rush through a scalding shower."

The coffee pot was calling my name, but to get to it, I needed to pass by David and I wasn't sure I could do that. My kids might not have noticed the smirk he wore on his face but I sure as hell did. It wasn't helping matters either.

Finally, the lack of caffeine in my system won out. I managed to walk through the kitchen like nothing was wrong, but stumbled when David whispered, "Good morning, beautiful. How did you sleep?"

"Good." The single word came out as a croak and my hands shook as I tried to pour my first cup of the morning.

"Here, let me help you."

This was going to be torture. My entire body shivered when his fingers grazed across my hand. David didn't look the least bit affected like I was. It was aggravating.

"Hey, Mom? What are your thoughts on going out tonight?" Mikey asked.

Huh? David had me so tied up in knots that my brain was having trouble computing. "Going out?"

"Yeah, there's this festival in town that Brittany and I want to go to. I thought it would be fun for all of us to go."

I looked at David before answering. After our discussion last night, I didn't want to do anything that would put my family at risk, no matter how much I wanted to get out of the house.

"Yeah, I don't see why not," David answered. "Just let me know where the festival is so I can have a team look over the location first."

"Do you really think we’re in danger if we go out?" Nate asked.

"I don't think so,” David replied, “since there's been no hint that anyone is following any of you. It’ll just be a precaution, but I think a night out would be good for everyone. I know I can't be the only one going a little crazy, being stuck in the house so much." David looked at me when he said it. I hid my smile behind my coffee mug. It was good to know he listened when I spoke.

Mikey and Nate grumbled their agreements before dashing out of the house to get to school. They still gave me a kiss on the cheek and reminded me they loved me, but they seemed a bit too eager to leave David and me alone.

"I’ve wanted to do this since you walked in the room," David growled as he yanked me in for a kiss.

There was nothing sweet about it as he devoured my lips. The lip gloss I so carefully put on was nibbled away in seconds. David knew how to kiss. He knew how to bring me to my knees. The only thing keeping me upright was his arm looped around my back. Tingles overtook my body in the best way possible, and I was completely lost in the way he made me feel.

I whimpered when he pulled away, but then wanted to scowl when he merely chuckled. "If I don't stop now, there's no way you're getting to work anytime soon."

"Work’s overrated," I huffed.

"You say that now because you're kiss drunk, but you’d be singing a different tune later."

That was probably true, but I didn't need to confess that he was right.

"I just want it on the record that a good-morning kiss is much better than coffee to start the day."

David threw his head back and barked out a laugh.

"I'll keep that in mind for the future. But I guessed you weren’t ready to tell your sons yet, so I figured waiting until they left was a better idea."

"Shit, no, I’m not ready for them to know yet. Thank you for sneaking out this morning." I pouted at the thought.

I was seriously considering changing my stance on that thought though, even though I knew it was for the best. Mikey might be in favor of me dating but that didn't mean he was ready for us to throw it in his face. I needed to ease my kids into it.

"Like I said, I guessed as much but now you're going to be late because that outfit is doing crazy things to me."

I was late to work but not terribly. Although, enough for Amanda to notice and comment on it. She also noticed the omelet David made me to bring as breakfast. The man truly was a saint.

"Okay, today is definitely the day you got laid. It's written all over your face and I'm pretty sure I noticed you walking funny just now."

I dropped my ass in the chair and let my purse fall to the ground, something I never did. I treated that thing like it was worth thousands and always stored it in my desk.

"I did. And it was fucking amazing. Like I mean, really damn spectacular."

I was still reeling from the second kiss he gave me and the smack on the ass on my way out the door. I wasn't even sure how I got to work. I could've been speeding. I could've run a few red lights for all I know.

"Yes!" Amanda squealed and did a little happy dance in her stilettos before dropping down into my guest chair. "Please tell me it was with the hunk who’s been staying with you?"

My hackles rose. "How do you know David is hunky?"

Amanda had yet to meet him and I would say for a good reason, but that would be a lie. I didn't worry that David would check out my assistant like Michael used to. He just wasn't that kind of man.

"Because I know you and you told me what he did for a living. There's no way a man like that lets himself go."

"You're right, he is hunky, and his body is to die for. I have no idea when he finds time to work out but whatever he's doing is working. I wanted to lick whipped cream off his abs last night."

"So why the hell didn't you?"

"Because we didn't have any," I whined and Amanda burst out laughing.

It felt so good to have someone to talk to about this. For years I had to listen to Amanda talk about the men she dated—mostly losers—and her active love life, while I sat there and lived vicariously through her. Now I understood why she liked having sex so much.

"So it was that good, huh?"

"Oh my God, I didn't realize it could be that good. The reason I gave up sex so easily with Michael was because it sucked. He got himself off but didn't care about me. David's nothing like that. I swear he made it his life’s mission to wring every orgasm he could out of me until I was a passed-out mess."

"Oh, Kas, that's exactly the kind of sex you should've been having all this time. I hate that you've missed out all these years."

Amanda was the only person who called me by a nickname. I normally hated when people shortened my name, but coming from Amanda, I liked it. Mostly because Amanda wasn't fake or trying to impress people. Unlike a lot of other people in my life.

"Well, I have it now, and I'm not letting go."

"Good for you. Does this mean the two of you are finally an item?"

I chuckled at her use of the word. I was too old to be using those kinds of words to describe my relationships. "It means we are seeing each other but taking things slow for the sake of my kids. I don't want to throw more at them with everything else going on."

"How are things going with operation 'find out who Michael screwed over'?"

I shook my head. Only Amanda would name my current dilemma.

"Not great. David's frustrated with the lack of progress. I'm frustrated with being stuck inside all the time. Our combined frustration is kinda how we ended up doing what we did."

"I love it. Sex is a great stress reliever, and I must say, getting laid looks good on you."

"Thanks."

"Okay, as much as I could talk sex all day, we need to finish up ordering the furniture for your number one client. You wanted that done by the end of the week and that's today."

Right. Work. I needed to focus on what paid the bills. I could daydream about David later before sneaking him into my bed again tonight.