"Mommy," he said in a rough, spitty whisper. "Ronan and I were making music. He's going to teach me how to ride a horse."
I lifted my brows. "Oh, is that right?"
"Just as soon as your legs are long enough to reach the stirrups, buddy."
"Ronan, how can I ever repay you for your help tonight?"
The impact of his smile hadn't dimmed yet. I wondered if it ever would. "How about another date night?"
"I think we can work that out. I'll give you a ride back to your car. Mom's fine, but it'll be an hour or so before she's released."
"Good to hear."
We each took hold of Jack's hands and walked him down the hallway with the obligatory lift and swing. He giggled like a maniac. I was never going to get him back to sleep tonight. I doubted I'd sleep either.
sixteen
. . .
Ronan
Since I didn't have to ride the damn bus, I'd told Doris would get to the site early, before the others, to wait for the new delivery of lumber. She told me I'd earned some "brownie points" for catching the bad lumber. I wasn't sure what brownie points were, but I hoped it had something to do with actual brownies.
The sun was just coming up through some wispy clouds, and the air had a bite to it. I shoved my hands into the pockets of my coat and paced back and forth to keep warm. The night before had been eventful enough that I'd had trouble falling back asleep. It had ended on a high note with Rachel's mom only suffering some indigestion and anxiety, but that wasn't what kept me tossing and turning. That was all Rachel's fault. Our date had been sweet and short and slightly chaotic, but I couldn't stop thinking about her. Holding her for a slow dance, and the one chaste kiss I'd allowed myself, had set my blood on fire. She felt so damn right in my arms. I needed to be with her again.
My phone buzzed. I pulled it out. It was from Doris.
The driver is running fifteen minutes late.
Got it.
I pushed the phone into my pocket. A car drove up the short, quiet road. My pulse raced instantly. It was Rachel's car. I waited for her to park and walked across the street. Her long leg dropped out of the car. I'd been thinking far too much about having those long legs wrapped around me. She stepped out of the car and startled when she noticed the large figure standing nearby. Her hand flew to her chest, then she sighed and laughed.
"You scared me."
"Sorry, I guess creeping around in the shadows of dawn is not the best way to approach a woman standing in an empty parking lot. And now that I said all that out loud, I'mreallysorry. I guess I lost my mind a little when I saw your car coming down the road. I had no idea I'd get to see you this morning."
Rachel pulled her purse on her shoulder and shut the thin sweater she was wearing over her uniform. She glanced across the street. "Why are you here so early?"
"Not stalking you, I promise."
A half sad smile crossed her face. "Not the first time I've heard that lately." Her expression lightened. "And no, you don't seem like the stalker type."
"Always good to know. I'm waiting for a lumber delivery. How's your mom?"
She stepped closer to me, and my heart skipped a beat. I couldn't remember the last time a woman caused my heart to race. Never. It had never happened before. Rachel was different. All of a sudden, I was understanding how Jameson and Zander felt. It was a reaction that made me feel uneasy and terrified and fucking thrilled all at once.
Rachel stood so close I could see the light spray of freckles on her nose, and I could smell her perfume, a light citrusyscent that was already imprinted on my senses. She pressed her hand against my chest and peered up at me with those amazing brown eyes. "I can't thank you enough. And Jack has not stopped talking about you. Ronan, I …"
I pressed my mouth over hers and pulled her tightly against me. The kiss pushed past the boundaries I'd set for myself last night. I'd held back big time, but that was over. I just didn't have the willpower. Not with this woman.
Rachel melted in my arms, and a small moan of pleasure rolled up from her throat. I smoothed my hand down over her ass and pulled her hips against me. My cock pressed urgently against my fly. The cold air around us heated.
I finally pulled my mouth from hers. Her lush pink lips were already starting to swell from the intensity of my kiss. "I've never felt this way, Rachel."
A wry smile crossed her lips. "He says to any woman he has in his arms."
I lowered my arms. "No, I don't."