I couldn’t help but pay close attention to the underlying message there. Bold print. All caps. He was making himself very clear that he, at the very least, still desired me. There was no denying we had obvious chemistry and could make spectacular kids together. I didn’t question that.

Without lowering the glass, he leaned closer, dropping his mouth an inch from mine, making my pulse leap. A rush of heat slammed into me and went south, waking me up in places that’d been dormant until he’d walked back into my life, demanding his wallet but winding up with so much more.

“We want all the decisions you make to be yours,” he said as his eyes thinned. “Now, don’t we?”

And just like that, I morphed into that twenty-one-year-old who’d spoken similar words to those at the bar in Aruba.

“And what decisions might those be?” Against my wishes, I allowed hope for more to finagle its way into my heart and mind. Who was I kidding? It’d resecured its place in both while I’d shared photos of our son.

He straightened his posture, removing the temptation of his lips. “You’re a mystery to me.”

“I was just thinking the same thing about you.” I rested a hand on my nervous stomach. “I think I need that sip now, food or not.”

I spun away from him before I did something too soon, too fast. Like throw myself into his arms—not for a hug, but for a kiss. I looked around for a second glass but didn’t see any.

“You won’t find another.” He reached out and set his free hand on the bar top, and I stared down at his firm, masculine forearm. “I never let anyone in my office. No one drinks with me here.” His voice was ridiculously husky and sexy, and the intensity of it further increased my already racing pulse. “So, only one glass is needed.”

“Oh.” I swallowed. “Well, lucky for me, you have a kitchen down the hall, and I bet it’s full of glasses.” Unable to stop myself, I turned to face him and set both hands on his chest.

His gaze slanted to my touch as he casually brought the tumbler to his mouth for another drink.

“Will you lock me out if I leave and not let me back in?”

“Only one way to find out.” A devilish grin crossed his lips.

“Hmm.” I let my shoulders fall with dramatic emphasis. “I don’t think I’ll risk it, then.”

“Smart choice.” He finished his drink but didn’t set the glass aside.

“Yeah, well, I’m not ready to find out how controlling you really are.” I was only partially teasing.

He pushed away from the counter to free up more space between us and rested his glass against his outer thigh.