He closed his eyes and gave himself over to the incredible high of being with her this way. The heat of her hand and the pleasure of her gentle yet firm touch made for the perfect combination. Paul groaned as he came, his fingers digging into her hips to keep her close to him.

She kissed him softly and sweetly.

He opened his eyes to find her watching him. “I made a mess of you.”

“I don’t mind.”

“Let me get a towel. I’ll be right back.” He kissed her again and disentangled their limbs so he could get up, tugging his shorts back up as he went. The bathroom was across the hall, so he opened the door and looked both ways before leaving the bedroom. He returned with a towel that he used to wipe up her belly and chest.

“I should go and let you sleep,” she said, looking shy all of a sudden despite what they’d done.

Paul dropped the towel on the floor and snuggled up to her, unwilling to let her go just yet. “Or you could stay awhile longer. It’s only midnight.”

“It’s weird to not have Ethan at home for a night, but I’m glad he’s made such good new friends so quickly.”

“I’m glad for him and for you, because you deserve a break every now and then.”

“I guess, but it still feels weird to have him sleeping somewhere else.”

This would be a great time to ask about the boy’s father, but Paul couldn’t bring himself to bring her past into their very lovely present. He dragged his fingertips over her flat belly, which quivered under his touch.

“Please tell me we aren’t making a huge mistake here, Paul.”

“Doesn’t feel like a mistake to me,” he said, though his conscience was still troubled because his father would disapprove of what he was doing with her. “I’m too busy feeling great to think about all the reasons why it might not be a good idea.”

“I don’t do things like this.”

“Like what?”

“Fool around with my boss, for one thing.”

“I’d like to think this situation is a little different than your typical work environment. I’d like to think we’ve become friends over the last few intense weeks with my mom. I’d like to think we’re both adults who can handle whatever complication something like this is sure to cause at some point.”

“You say that as if you’re certain it will.”

“It will,” he said, sighing. “But that doesn’t mean I don’t want to see where it goes. As long as you do, too.”

“I’ve had a crush on you from the first time I saw you with your mom and how amazingly patient you are with her.”

“Is that right?” he asked, amused and touched by her confession.

“Uh-huh.”