“I tricked you, Daddy! Watch me run!” He sprinted across the lawn and ricocheted between a cluster of guests.
Vic shook his head at the sight of his son having so much fun.
Everything was perfect, thanks to Addison. She sure knew how to throw a party. No wonder her business was thriving. Addison had looked Vic dead in his face when she’d started working on the party and said, “We are doing what we want for this party.”
“Who is we?” he’d asked.
“Me and Kian.”
He had gladly handed her his credit card so Kian could have what he wanted. He was glad he had, because the woman knew what she was doing. This party was better than anything he could have imagined.
It wasn’t the decorations or the crowd or the sunshine and unseasonably warm weather that made his breath catch in his throat.
It was her.
Tachina.
She stood across the yard talking with her parents. A slight breeze caught her hair and lifted it. The sunlight kissed her skin and made it glow. She wore a fitted cream sweater, high-waisted jeans, and boots. It was hard not to stare at her.
Just a week ago, he’d had her writhing beneath him in her bed. Her channel had gripped him ever so sweetly as she had come with him deep inside her.
He tried to mingle and not be obvious that he kept staring at her. He checked in on the catering team, greeted family members as they arrived, but for some strange reason, his eyes kept finding her.
And every time their eyes met, he wanted to go to her and carry her away to somewhere private where they could be alone.
Last weekend had imprinted a lasting memory on him. He now knew what he wanted. He had wanted to leave before Kian had awakened. It had taken everything in him to walk away. They had lain together peacefully. He’d listened to her breathe; her leg had been draped over his, her hair tickled his shoulder, and it had felt so right.
Just perfect.
And that did scare him.
He’d slipped out of the bed while she had slept, kissed her on the forehead, then dressed. He’d even made note tocheck on Kian. He’d needed to ensure they were both safe and comfortable once he’d gone. Leaving had put a damper on his entire week. They’d seen each other, but it had been only briefly for drop-offs, pickups, and every single time the sexual tension was through the roof.
“Victor!” He turned as his mother swept in to stand beside him.
Nancy Maxwell didn’t know how to do casual. He doubted the woman even owned a pair of jeans. She was dressed in a cream blouse with matching-colored slacks and sensible low-heeled shoes. Her hair was perfectly coifed, and she had her mother’s pearl necklace around her neck.
“There you are,” she said. “This is some party.”
Her gaze traveled around the yard. If he hadn’t paid attention, he would have missed the way her nose tilted in the air. He bit back a chuckle. He was actually shocked that his parents had even stopped in for Kian’s party. Not that they didn’t love the future heir to Maxwell & Sons, they did, but in their own strange way.
“You remember Addison? Tachina’s friend. She coordinated everything, and I stayed out of the way,” he said.
“Smart.” A small smile graced her lips. “Your brother brought the gift we ordered for Kian. I wanted to make sure you see it. I think he will love it.”
“I’m sure he will,” Vic murmured.
She smiled ever so sweetly, and he narrowed his gaze on her. She was up to something.
He tilted his head and blew out a deep breath. “What do you really want, Mother?”
“What? I can’t come over and speak with my oldest son?” Her chin tilted upward, and she huffed.
“I know you, Mother, and you want something.” He folded his arms.
At that moment, Tachina’s parents walked by. Nancy put on her infamous smile and waved. He nodded to them as well. He’d already spoken with them several times.
“Mother.”