Page 12 of Scandalous Contract

India gripped my arm, tugging me toward the door.

“You promised to take me to lunch, remember?” she said quickly. “Let’s go. I’m starving.”

I blinked. “What about your luggage?”

“Luggage?” She frowned. “Oh! Luggage! We’ll get it after lunch.”

My gaze narrowed. “India, that doesn’t even make sense. Why not just get it...”

“Because,” she cut in, pulling harder. “Just come on, Mom. Don’t embarrass me.”

Was she trying to get away from Julian because she had a crush on him? I looked at her, then at Julian, whose gaze was glued to me.Please, Lord, don’t tell me I’ve been lusting after a guy my daughter likes.

If so, I’m sure there’s a special place in hell for people like me.I let her drag me toward the door, even as confusion lingered in my mind. But before we could step outside, I glanced back.

Sure enough, Julian Cattaneo was watching me leave, and that damn smirk was back on his face. My body betrayed me.Again. A slow, warm ache curled low in my stomach. A response I didn’t ask for. Didn’t want.

Yet, there it was. All because of the temptation before me. I was a grown woman. I had self-control. And yet, my thighs pressed together on instinct. I hated to admit it, but it was amazing how he could turn his wickedness on and off like that.

He winked. I rolled my eyes. Before I could look away, he mouthed three words to me. This time, I was sure I’d read his lips perfectly.I want you.A wave of heat flashed over me. My gaze jerked forward as my daughter damn near ripped my arm out of its socket to get us away from Julian.

I followed, thankful to finally be moving out of his orbit. Julian Cattaneo was trouble with a capital T. And I was glad to be out from under his spell. If I was lucky, our paths wouldn’t cross again.

Together, India and I were able to locate my car far quicker than I would’ve on my own. As I drove, I listened to the map app on her phone give me directions. We’d both been to this place a handful of times, but neither of us could get there without a map.

The restaurant was one of India’s favorites, a modern little bistro with trendy decor, overpriced salads, and a waitstaff that all looked like they modeled part-time. India had chosen a window seat, and now the bright sun was pouring in and reflecting off her red curls, making her hair glow like flames.

She was gorgeous. Today, my baby was all smiles. I sighed, noting how much I missed having her home. By now, I should be used to her being away at college. However, I had a feeling I’d never get used to it.

An empty home was much worse than I’d thought it would be, much worse than other moms told me it would be. With her gone, the house was quiet. Too quiet. Too boring. Having India away at college proved just how much my world revolved around her.

Today was actually the most fun I’d had in a while, thanks to my back-and-forth with Julian.Ugh!I was still thinking about him.I want you.I closed my eyes and tried to burn the image of his lips mouthing those words to me out of my brain.

I opened my eyes to stare at India, whose gaze was glued to the menu, completely oblivious to how off-balance I was. I wasn’t thinking about food. I was thinking about Julian’s mouth. I wasn’t thinking about eating. I was thinking about being ate.

The words he’d mouthed had caused me to feel heat in places I had no business feeling hot. I was in need of a cold shower. But I feared even that wouldn’t be enough to cool me off. And I hadn’t brought any toys with me.

Ugh. Why was I thinking like that in front of my child? Swallowing, I picked up the menu and held it higher than necessary, blocking my daughter’s view of my guilty face.

“Mom, I can still see you,” India said flatly, not looking up.

I lowered the menu and quickly pulled myself together. “Good. Because I want you to see the look on my face when I tell you that you need to stop ordering avocado toast everywhere we go.” I made a yuck face.

India laughed. “I like avocado toast. It’s delicious.”

“You’re paying for a piece of bread with green mush on top.”

“It’s my happy food.”

I smirked. Her happy food used to be pizza until she came to college. She’d changed in so many ways. But, in other ways, she was still my baby.

“So, Miss Avocado Toast, what do you feel like doing tonight? I was thinking we could eat popcorn and watch...”

“Oh, yeah!” India perked up, brows raising like she just remembered something.

Uh-oh.

“So, um... about my spring break plans, mom.”