"Exactly what I'm after."
"You're a romantic," I whisper, the realization slipping into every cell of my body. He hides it well behind his self-deprecating humor and shameless flirting. Why yes, I am already swooning, thank you very much.
"Of the worst kind." Here's that innocent smile again. I swear my heart just doubled in size. "But I rarely unleash this terrible trait."
"So I'm special?"
"Yeah." Cupping my cheeks, he pulls me close to him, brushing his lips on my forehead. "You're special, and a bad influence. What happened upstairs is proof."
I'm on the verge of pointing out he's the one who corrupted me, but instead, I choose to lay my head against his chest, inhaling his masculine scent. Instantly, he lowers his hands, wrapping his arms around me, holding me, as if there's nothing more natural in the world. It feels so good and safe, and perfect. I love everything about this: listening to his rhythmic heartbeats, feeling the heat of his body seep into mine.
"Victoria," he says in a low voice. "Up there, we had a moment."
"We did."
"While I'm gone, don't forget that." He talks as if he has plans for us. For the first time, I allow myself to entertain that thought, pushing away any worry. What would it be like to let this man sweep me off my feet? To indulge in his kisses and his touch?
"Stop making me swoon, Bennett."
He hugs me tighter and I bury my nose in his neck—or try to, as he towers over me despite my heels. I want us to stay like this forever. But of course, his phone starts ringing again, forcing us apart. I hate this pesky reality taking me away from this wonderful man.
Glancing at the screen, Christopher sets his jaw.
"Answer the phone," I encourage him. "My car is just around the corner. I'm heading there."
"I'll talk to you soon." His features relax as one corner of his mouth lifts in a smile. "And don't forget the moment."
Chapter Fourteen
Victoria
I spend the entire day in a frenzy, replaying the time I spent with Christopher in my mind again and again, smiling more brightly each time. I have two more appointments. One of them is an expectant mother wishing to decorate the baby's room; the other is a middle-aged couple looking to do something with their poolhouse, which they've used as a shed for years. All of them watch me dubiously as I pitch ideas, clearly thinking I'm high on my own Kool-Aid. Even to my own ears, I sound a little too eager. I can’t help myself though. It turns out being kissed by Christopher unleashes my creativity. I'm sure the orgasm helped too.
Though I know Christopher must be en route to Seattle, or already in the process of putting out fires, I can't help glancing at my phone from time to time, hoping to see a text from him. No such luck. I wrote him one message, asking if he landed already, but he didn't reply. Not that it did anything to dampen my mood.
I'm downright grinning when I step inside my house that afternoon, an hour before dinnertime. My good mood continues while I prepare chicken enchiladas, and during dinner, the kids notice.
"Any reason you've been smiling since you arrived home?" Sienna inquires, biting into her enchilada.
"Just had a good day. How was yours?"
She clearly sees through my poor attempt at deflecting the topic from me, but doesn't call me out. We chitchat lightly for the next hour, and after Lucas and Chloe go to sleep, Sienna curls with a book on the ottoman in the living room, glancing curiously at me.
"Have you been to your room?" she asks.
"No, why?"
"You received some flowers today. I put them on your desk."
I dash out of the room so fast you'd think there was someone chasing me. On the desk in my room, I find beautiful red roses in a vase. There's a note too.
To many more moments.
Christopher
I press the note to my chest, leaning down to smell the roses. My first instinct is to call Christopher, but I left the phone in the living room. Upon my return, I find Sienna with her nose buried in her book, blushing suspiciously.
"Sienna?"