“Maybe a little.” He swallowed hard. Heat stirred in his belly as he held her gaze. This woman caused all sort of emotions in him that he didn’t understand.
“And who was the one in my bed that night?” She raised an eyebrow at him. Her sassiness was out, and she had had the nerve to accuse him of flirting.
Who was flirting now?
Before Vic could answer, Kian barreled toward them.
“Mommy! Daddy! Auntie Addie said we have to take pictures and cut cake!” Kian arrived in front of them. He grabbed both of their hands and tugged them toward the cake table.
Time flew by. Before long, all of the guest had left, and the only people who remained were the clean-up crew that Addison had orchestrated. Vic walked through the houseand exited via the side door where a seating area overlooked the driveway. He sat on the stairs and blew out a deep breath.
The yard was now quiet. Kian climbed into his new toy Jeep from Vic’s parents. The kid was still sailing high on all of the junk and candy he’d had at the party. The door opened behind him. He glanced over his shoulder and took in Tachina exiting the house. She smiled and arrived to sit next to him.
“Mom! Dad! I’m going to drive to California!” Kian declared.
“Oh, okay. Make sure you have enough gas, boo,” Tachina said playfully with a grin.
Vic smirked at his son. Kian turned the vehicle on and guided it down the driveway back toward the garage.
“You okay?” Tachina bumped him slightly with her shoulder.
“Yeah, you?” he asked.
Her big brown eyes watched him for a second, then she looked over in the direction their son had traveled. They had lost sight of him, but Vic could still hear the engine of the little vehicle.
“Tired. Happy.” She sighed.
“Same.” He swallowed hard and glanced at the sky.
It was starting to get dark out. The lights that lined up the driveway cast shadows along the concrete. Silencestretched between them, but it was not empty, loaded. It was deep. Thick with things that had been left unsaid.
He should give her space.
Be responsible.
“I liked…” He hesitated, wanting to choose his words wisely. “Being with you and Kian today. Having our families together. It was nice.”
“Oh, Vic.” Her eyes softened.
He leaned in and tipped her chin upward and kissed her. It was gentle. Tachina leaned into him, a breath escaping her. He cupped her face, his lips molding to hers. He tilted his head and deepened the kiss. She immediately responded—as she always did. Her tongue taunted him, inviting him into her mouth.
“Look! I’m a real driver!” Kian’s voice interrupted their moment.
They broke away from each other as if they were teenagers being caught by a parent. Kian came flying around the corner in his ride with the widest grin on his face. They both laughed at him as he came to park in front of them.
“Did you see me?”
“I did, buddy. You are fantastic driver. I’m going to start making you drive me around from now on,” Vic said with a chuckle. He wasn’t sure if Kian had seen them kissing, but hell, Vic didn’t care if he had. They were his parents, and right now, something was going down between them.
“I could! I can drive you to work,” Kian said, hopping out of the Jeep. He shut the little door then ran to them.
Tachina caught him as he launched himself at her. She rained down kisses all over his face while he squealed.
“Mom! I’m five now!” he bellowed in between his giggles.
“That doesn’t mean anything. You can be fifty-five and I’m still going to kiss you.” She kissed him long and dramatically before letting him go.
Kian was all smiles as he situated himself between them on the stairs.