“They need more time. Their father’s death is still fresh in their minds. Such a revelation would be too big of a shock to them this soon.”

“And when will it ever be a good time?” I leaned across the table and stared pointedly at her. I read the answer in her eyes. It’d never be a good time.

“I’ll play it your way for a while, but I’m not going to wait forever.”

“Thank you,” she conceded.

“Has it occurred to you the longer we wait, the worse it might be for them?”

She met my gaze, and I saw the worry in her blue eyes. “Yes, it’s definitely occurred to me.”

I didn’t belabor the point. She felt bad enough about the situation. For now, I’d content myself with being the doting next-door neighbor.

“About the child support—” I pushed a check across the table to her. “My attorney felt this amount was reasonable and fair.”

She picked it up, and her mouth dropped open in shock. Incredulously, she lifted her gaze back to mine and shook her head. “This is too much.”

“I don’t think it’s enough,” I countered.

“I’m already living here rent-free thanks to you. I can’t accept this kind of money.”

“Caro, hear me out.” I grabbed both her hands in mine and squeezed them. “It’s in my best interests you have enough disposable income to afford that college education you’ve been talking about.”

“But this is too generous.” A lone tear slid down her cheek. “I don’t deserve your kindness. How can I ever make it up to you?”

The bad boy in me surfaced before I could muzzle him. “I could name a few things for starters.” I winked at her, grinning broadly.

Sorry, not sorry that I’d thrown the sexual component out there.

“What are you saying?” She tugged on her hands, but I held tight. She glared at me, and I chuckled. Much to my surprise, she laughed. Her laughter captured my heart and locked it under her spell. Everything about her captivated me, just as it had years ago. I loved the feeling of her soft hands in my rough ones. The differences between us aroused the man inside me, and I wasn’t able to hold him back this time.

“I want you,” I blurted out, channeling my teenage, horny-boy self. “I can’t stop thinking about you naked. I’m going crazy with lust, and I’m tired of satisfying myself when I’d much rather you satisfied me.”

“You want me?” She sounded incredulous, which was almost as funny as my interest in her was blatantly obvious.

“I want to fuck you,” I clarified bluntly, annoyed with myself that deep down I might want more.

“Oh.” Her face fell, and sadness flashed briefly in those hypnotic eyes. She’d been hoping for something different, and I’d stomped on that seed before it had a chance to grow. This wasn’t about anything but sex, damn it. As hard as it was for me to see her hurt, I had to be perfectly clear. A person didn’t do what she did and expect to be forgiven. There had to be consequences to withholding a father from his children. But she hadn’t known, said my fairer, nicer side. Bullshit, said the asshole in me.