“That it is. Looks much better on you,” he told her, reaching for her hand to guide her down the path.
A shiver went down Leslie’s spine. Now, that was a genuine compliment, not one intended for any audience beyond just herself. Then, there was the hand holding. What was all this about? It was something she wouldn’t know right away, as he didn’t seem to be interested in anything but walking quietly - just as he had suggested they do. It wasn’t until they reached the edge of the garden that he stopped, turning toward her and bent down to kiss her softly on the lips.
Leslie wasn’t sure what to make of it, but she didn’t find herself wanting to resist. Instead, she leaned into the kiss, enjoying the way he tasted and the heat of his body against hers. They lingered there against one another, kissing and caressing one another as shockwaves ran through her center. When he finally pulled away, she felt weak in the knees and held onto him to steady herself for a moment before letting go.
“Wow,” was all she managed to say.
“This isn’t what I intended,” he said. “I didn’t plan to cross any lines with you. You’re technically my employee and I’m twice your age.”
“And?”
“And I failed to keep my end of the bargain.”
“If you are firing me, you have a funny way of doing it.”
“No. I’m not firing you, but I wanted this out in the open between us. I don’t want you to feel like you have to be with me, that I expect that of you.”
“Then why did you kiss me just now, before telling me that?”
He looked sheepish, a flush spreading up his cheeks as he looked past her and then back into her eyes.
“In case you never let me do it again.”
“Do you think I wouldn’t?”
“I don’t know.”
“Tucker, if you have something to say, just say it,” she coaxed, her heart racing.
“Okay. Fair enough. I know I brought you here to pretend you are my wife, but I’ve really enjoyed having you around. The night that we spent together. Fuck. It was amazing, but I felt bad afterward and I guess I kept my distance instead of just talking to you. I needed to sort it out in my head. Then, when I saw you with Marshall, I just saw red.”
“I told you I didn’t know it wasn’t you. I thought you were just making a show of kissing me in front of the family.”
“I know. You aren’t the first woman I’ve cared for that Marshall tried to sabotage.”
“Cared for?” she repeated, now able to hear her heavy heartbeat throbbing in her ears.
“Yes. I’d like to see where this might go, if you are interested. If not, I understand. It’s not what you came here for.”
“No, it isn’t. Still, I can’t think of anything I’d like more.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive.”
They resumed their kiss, only to be disrupted by the sound of a crying baby. Leslie laughed and stuck her hand in her pocket, turning down the volume on the monitor she had stuffed inside.
“I guess I should let you get inside and help Marla feed them. It’s almost time for her to go home. I’ll come help you,” he said.
Leslie smiled and accepted the hand he held out to her, walking back inside. All the angst she had felt over the last day or so was suddenly gone, replaced by a welcome tranquility.CHAPTER NINETEENThe night felt almost like being a real family. With the departure of Marla, Leslie made a nice meal for just herself and Tucker while he played with the girls. The cook had gone home with them being absent to cook for. They ate side by side on the sofa, a simple meal of sautéed chicken, peppers and rice wrapped in warm flour tortillas. When they were done, they got the girls settled into bed and sat talking about plans at the club for the better part of an hour.
“I guess we need to get to bed.”
“Do you want to sleep in my room?” he asked.
“No. Marla has left for the weekend, so she’s not here to listen for the girls and I don’t like being so far away from them,” she said.
“Of course,” he replied, sounding disappointed.
“Why don’t you spend the night in my room, instead?”
He smiled and nodded. “I’d love to.”
Leslie walked to her room with him in tow. They wasted no time in getting to the heart of what they both craved, as Tucker pinned her against the bed with his own body and tangled his fingers in her hair, kissing her passionately. Stepping back, she began to undress for bed.
“Let me help you with that,” he growled, moving toward her and unbuttoning her blouse. Slipping it down her arms and letting it fall to the floor, he unsnapped the front of her bra. It was hardly what you’d call sexy, with its industrial front clasp and fold down flaps intended for ease of breastfeeding, not designed to be alluring in the least. Still, he seemed to not care. Instead, he smiled as her heavy breasts escaped their confines. He traced his fingers across her nipples for a moment before reaching down to unfasten her pants and slide them down her hips.