Page 20 of Secret Love (The Single Dad Playbook #2)

CHAPTER TWENTY

OH, SO THIS IS…

TRU

I've been floating since that make-out session with Henley last night. I felt bad that I didn't reciprocate, but when I told him so in our text thread after I got home, he insisted he loved every second of what we did do and wouldn’t change a thing.

He seemed so chill about it all, and I have to admit that whole thing with him holding back and saying he was trying to be a gentleman…I kind of love it. I love that he still wanted me so much when he said bye but didn’t push even a little bit.

I hope he couldn't stop thinking about me all night long. That's selfish, I know, the poor guy needs to sleep and get relief, but I can't stop thinking about him, so we’re kind of even. I’ve always heard you're supposed to leave a man wanting more, so there's that, but I also don’t want to send him mixed messages. I think it’s been clear all along that I want him. But all my good intentions to maintain boundaries and not date my student’s dad are going out the window.

Our conversations alone have been chipping away at my resolve, but the way he made me feel last night…I’ve never felt like that. Ever.

When it's time for Cassidy's class, I notice right away that something’s wrong. I overhear one of the girls talking about her and try to figure out what's going on, but I'm not able to in the short time before class. Afterwards, I’m tempted to ask her to stay behind, but I don't want to bring more attention to her. I end up following her out anyway.

“Cassidy, you got a minute?” I call.

She stops and turns, her eyes glossy with tears.

“Are you okay?” I ask quietly. “Can I help?”

“Those girls are just so mean sometimes. They made fun of me when I had to read something out loud in our class before this and were still laughing at me. I feel so stupid and like everybody knows it.”

“You are not stupid, Cassidy. You're actually one of my smartest students,” I whisper, “but don't tell anyone else I said that.” I wink and I'm rewarded with a small smile. “Don't let them get to you. I know that's easier said than done, but their rudeness makes them small. And you are not small, you're kind and smart and lovely.”

Her lower lip trembles. “Thank you, Miss Seymour.” She blinks up at the ceiling and takes a deep breath.

“It’s just the truth. I hope they’ll wake up and realize the way they’re acting is no way to treat someone, but you just keep being you. Because you’re great.”

She sniffles and a tear trickles down her cheek when she blinks. She hurriedly wipes it away.

“Okay, you better get to lunch before you miss out on whatever delicacies they're serving today.”

She laughs. “Yeah, right. Okay. Thank you.” She gives me another smile and looks the tiniest bit happier this time.

“I'll see you at dance tomorrow.”

She nods and walks away, and I wish I could haul her out of here and treat her to a decent lunch and positive conversation, anything to keep cheering her up.

During my lunch break, I check my phone and smile at the messages from Henley.

Henley

A dancer with hair to her waist did in fact invade my dreams last night.

Henley

I’m hoping she’ll invade them again tonight. Or even better, that she’d consider stepping out of my dreams and into my house at seven o’clock for dinner.

How dare she take my place!

Henley

You could probably beat her out if you showed up a few minutes early. Drinks at 6:45?

I smile at my phone and then get another text from Sadie before I’ve responded to Henley.

Sadie

Hi! How are you? Felicity is coming Sunday to help with wedding stuff, but I wondered if you’d want to get drinks with us at The Fairy Hut at some point?

Sure, I’d love to!

Sadie

Yay! I’m thinking 5ish? I’ve been awful at wedding planning, so I’m hoping we’ll be done by then and won’t bore you to death with all the details.

Trust me, I won’t be bored. And if you need any help, let me know! I LOVE planning any kind of party.

Sadie

I knew you and Felicity were two peas in a pod.

Smiling emoji

I switch back to the thread with Henley and there’s a new one from him. This man…I’ve never met anyone like him.

Henley

True confession: No one can take your place.

I press my lips together, but my insides are beaming and doing little leaps around this whole building.

I’ll be there.

Henley

And Earl, of course.

Thank you for putting up with my kitty.

Henley

I’ll put up with your kitty any day, Tru. Wink emoji

I snort and glance around to see if anyone heard me, and of course, Mrs. Davenport is walking by at that exact moment. She looks at me with her usual pinched expression and I smile and wave. She just walks on like she can’t be bothered by this weirdo and I’m too happy to let it faze me. I’m going to dinner at Henley’s tonight and I can’t wait.

He opens the door and his mouth gapes. Exactly the reaction I was hoping for. I grin as his eyes wander down my body. My dress is an off-the-shoulder A-line dress with a flowy skirt that hits just above my knees, and it’s fire engine red. It shows off the little cleavage I have, and my shoulders and legs are showcased in their best light, if I do say so myself.

He takes my hand and kisses it before placing it on his chest where I can feel his heart galloping.

I smile and he does too.

“You look stunning,” he says.

He’s wearing a button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up and jeans, and his feet are bare. His hair is damp on the ends and he smells divine.

“You do too,” I say.

He tugs me in and closes the door behind me. I lean against the door and he leans his hand on it as he comes within an inch of my face, his eyes on mine.

“I’m so glad you’re here.” He leans in and kisses me once. So soft and sweet.

He steps back and I want to pull him in again, run my fingers through his hair and kiss him until we’re both breathless.

But he takes my hand and leads me into the kitchen where I can tell he’s been working hard. There’s a pile of dishes in the sink, a massive wooden bowl of Caesar salad and bottles of alcohol on the island, with limes and lemon zest in pretty little glass bowls.

I inhale and sigh. “It smells so good in here.”

“I hope you meant it when you said you like spinach and mushroom lasagna. I made my mom’s recipe.”

My stomach does a little flip-flop. “You remember everything, don’t you? I think I said that during one of our first texts.”

“I remember everything about you.” He smirks.

“Are you trying to seduce me, Henley Ward?”

“Is it working?”

Now I’m the one smirking. “Spinach and mushroom lasagna sounds delicious.”

“Would you like a cocktail or wine?”

I point to the lemon vodka. “I can’t resist anything with lemon.”

“One lemon drop coming right up, tiny dancer.”

My heart cannot take all this swoonworthiness. Made-up word, but it’s entirely how I feel.

“Can I do anything to help?”

“You standing there looking the way you do in my kitchen is extremely helpful. Except you’re taking my breath away, so I suggest you keep a safe distance. I want to feed you, but these hands have a mind of their own.” He holds up his hands and waves his long, thick fingers.

My mind goes straight to the way those skilled fingers worked me over, and I flush. He smiles like he knows exactly where my mind is. It’s the sexiest thing when he mixes the drink in the shaker; his forearms make my mouth water. He pours the drink into a pretty glass and garnishes it with a twist of lemon zest.

“You’re not having one?” I ask when he hands it to me.

He grabs a glass and lifts a bottle of Jameson. “I’ll have this.” He pours the amber liquid into the glass and taps it against mine. “To a spectacular date.”

“Oh, this is a date?” I can’t stop smiling.

“It’s absolutely a date.” He can’t stop smiling either.

“Good to know. To a spectacular date then.” I tap his glass again and we take a sip of our drinks. “Oh, that’s so good.”

He leans over and kisses me. “Agreed,” he says. “So good.” He points to the table. “Have a seat. You’re tempting me with those pretty lips.”

I move to the other side of the island but don’t sit down yet.

“Cassidy said she had a rough day at school today and you helped cheer her up. Thanks for that.”

“I’m glad she talked about what happened. I spoke with Megan, the other teacher they share, to make her aware of the situation. We’ll watch things and put a stop to anything we see happening. I want to mention it to Mr. Hanson on Monday as well.”

“I appreciate that. It’s hard to not be there to protect her.”

We sit down and start eating, Earl sliding between our legs like we’re his own personal carwash, and the conversation flows easily from one topic to the next. Our meal is like a long session of foreplay with the lingering stares and flirty touches, everything heightened by the delicious food and drinks.

“This is the best meal I’ve had in a long time,” I say, as I put my napkin on the table. “I’m really impressed that you know how to cook so well.”

“Thank you. I enjoy it during the offseason. The girls and I took a few cooking classes in Denver. It’s something we like to do together. Once I start playing again, my time in the kitchen is limited so it’s a lot of grilling and quick meals.” He leans in. “Do you like chocolate?”

“I adore chocolate.”

His eyes crinkle as he smiles. “I was hoping you would. I have another true confession for you.” His fingers slide through mine. “I’m no baker, but Wyndham and Greer from Serendipity make these hot lava cakes that are so good. It just takes a sec to heat up.”

“Count me in, I'm all about it,” I say.

He kisses the inside of my hand and stands up, taking our plates as he goes. I start helping him with the dishes, despite him telling me to relax. He works on the cake while I put the dishes in the sink.

When he drizzles chocolate over the top of the cake, I groan. “Oh, this is gonna be so good.”

“You just wait,” he says. “It's even better than it looks.”

He’s right. The dessert is next level. I struggle to not moan with every bite and he just laughs as he watches me with amusement.

“You're making it really hard to behave,” he says.

“Why should you behave?” I smile as I eat the very last bite.

“Because it's only our first date.”

“Did last night not count?” I tease. “It sure seems like it should.”

He laughs and stands up, holding his hand out to me. When I stand, he puts his hand on my waist and his other hand slides up my neck.

“You're right. I kind of jumped a couple of bases last night, didn’t I?” he says.

“Yes, you did...we did.”

His head lowers and against my lips, he says, “Too soon?”

“Not even a little bit,” I whisper.

Our kiss starts out slow and soft, but quickly escalates to a tornado. I feel his adoration, his desire, his hunger. His hands cup my face and my hands explore his back, but then they’re everywhere. I want to rip his shirt off and crawl into his skin. When I stand on my tiptoes, he groans as our kisses become fevered, the desire for more an aching need. He lifts me up, my legs wrapping around his waist, and we kiss right there for the longest time.

He breaks our kiss, staring at me. “I didn’t invite you to dinner to ravage you.”

“No?” I poke my bottom lip out and he grins as he leans in to suck it.

“Regardless of how it may seem, no.”

“Well, boo.”

“I think it’s obvious how much I want you…but I know you’ve had reservations and I don’t want to do anything that scares you off.”

“I’ve forgotten every reservation, and consider me completely on

board with ravaging.” I lean my forehead against his.

“Yeah?” His voice is hoarse and I shiver.

“Yes, please.”

“In that case...” He carries me up the stairs, kissing me the whole way.

When we reach his room, he sets me on my feet and puts his hand on my cheek. “I’ve been thinking about you in my room ever since I kissed you in here…well, that’s not true. It was before that.” His lips pucker as he tries to hold back his grin. “Okay, since the day we met, I’ve thought about this.”

“I have too.”

I turn so my back’s to him and look at him over my shoulder, moving my hair aside for him to unzip my dress. He takes a step closer and slowly lowers the zipper, his fingers like feathers down my skin. When the dress slides down my back, he kisses my shoulder and I slowly turn to face him.

He swallows hard when he sees my red strapless bra and matching panties.

“You’re so beautiful, Tru.” His raspy voice sends a shiver down me, and he notices, sliding his hands down my arms. “I’ll warm you up.”

I unbutton his shirt and it’s a revelation. Did I ever doubt it would be?

“Henley,” I whisper reverently, my hands roaming over his chest and down his stomach. His abs are taut, his chest expansive.

I’ve never felt so small yet powerful, as I do standing in front of this man.

I reach out and undo his pants, loving the quick intake of breath I hear when my fingers brush over his erection. I lower his pants and he steps out of them, standing in front of me looking like a chiseled god out of a mythology. The view of him in his boxer briefs has me gulping down a rush of lust and awe.

I unhook my bra and let it fall to the floor. He curses under his breath and his fingers lightly skim over my nipple. My heart thunders in my chest and my knees hit the back of the bed. He lifts me up until I’m lying in the center.

“Perfection,” he whispers, looking down at me.