15
During the twodays between the world’s tensest family meal and Shane’s date with Faith, he had plenty of time to think about how to make things up to her. She’d handled dinner with grace, as well as a heavy dose of sassiness. Hunter had sought comfort from her, and based on the way Diana tracked every interaction between her son and Faith, she’d been well aware of it. Strange, when she’d never cared before, but having another woman usurp her place seemed to have set off the part of her DNA that wanted to be the queen of any domain in which she found herself. During their years of marriage, Shane had become well acquainted with that aspect of her personality, and at times, even admired it. But not anymore. Now he saw her behavior as the self-centered attention-grabbing ploy it was.
But tonight was all about Faith. At six, he dropped the boys off with Bex and Michael. An hour later, he’d primped himself to within an inch of his life—or as far as he could go without wearing a suit and being laughed out of Sailor’s Retreat—and drove to her place to pick her up. He’d volunteered to be the sober driver since she well and truly deserved a few glasses of wine after what she’d endured for his sake. When she was nowhere to be seen, he climbed out of the car and strode to her door, then knocked firmly.
“Just a minute!” she yelled from somewhere within the house. “Please come in.”
He did, and then perused the colorful artwork on the walls. Strolling further inside, he noted the quirky furniture, which included an ornate bookshelf in the hall and one of those old-fashioned stools people sat on while they played piano. He wondered whether she’d ever learned to play. For some reason, she didn’t strike him as the musical sort.
Walking further into the house, he came to the bedroom door and hurried past to avoid catching sight of her in a state of undress. If he saw any part of Faith’s divine body, they’d never leave the house. Especially not when Bex had okayed a sleepover and advised him to make the most of it. And yes, he wanted to make love to Faith—he suspected the desire was mutual—but before that, he needed to come clean about his feelings for her. Feelings that grew each time he saw her and went well beyond attraction or friendship.
“I’m coming, I promise,” she called, her footsteps thudding across the floor behind him.
He turned, a smile at the ready, but the sight of her made his brain stop functioning. She’d dressed simply in high-waisted pants and a purple blouse. Her hair was loose over her shoulders and looked so silky he longed to wrap his hands in it. When she kissed his cheek, he noted that her silver heels were several inches tall.
“Gah.” He shook himself. “You look amazing,”
Her answering grin flooded him with warmth. “You’re pretty decent too, hot professor.”
He glanced down at himself. “I was going more for ‘single father who has it together, actually had time to shave for once, and isn’t a complete loser with women.’"
Slowly, her smile stretched wider. “I think you hit the nail on the head, but there’s no reason why you can’t be those things and also a hot professor.” Her smile turned naughty, and his jeans tightened inconveniently in response. “I always wondered what it would be like to be one of those students who got extra ‘tutoring.’" She made air quotes with her fingers. “They always seem to score higher.”
Shane’s tongue tied itself in a knot. She was a vixen, and he had to get her out of this house right now or they’d never get anywhere. He craved her too badly.
Taking her by the elbow, he escorted her to the front door. “I have a booking at Sailor’s Retreat. I know it’s not particularly exciting since we were there just the other day, but I wanted to be nearby in case something goes wrong with the boys. I’m not used to being apart from them.”
“Shane.” Faith placed her hand on his. “Sailor’s Retreat is lovely. I’m more interested in the company than the food.”
“Good.” Now, if only someone could jump-start his heart, because he was certain she’d stopped it. God, how was he going to make it through the night?
He led her to the car and drove the short distance to the restaurant, where he parked near the pavilion so she wouldn’t have to walk far in pumps. A waitress met them inside the entrance and led them to a small table in the corner.
“I’ll be back to take your order soon,” she said, passing Shane a bottle of water.
Faith opened the menu. Shane didn’t touch his, determined to get the hard part of the evening out of the way first. He sipped water to wet the inside of his mouth.
“Thanks for coming tonight and for helping with Diana. I know that goes above and beyond what we initially agreed to, but you should know that it means a lot to me.”
“You’re welcome.” She cocked her head. “Why do I get the feeling you’re gearing up for a speech that you’ve practiced in the mirror?”
The question shocked a laugh from him. “Maybe because I am.”
“Okay.” She waved a hand graciously. “By all means, continue.”
He sighed. “You don’t make this easy.”
Her expression softened. “Sorry. I wasn’t trying to be awkward. I tend to make light of things to mask my real thoughts and feelings. It’s a character flaw.”
One he could relate to, indirectly. He’d had to mask the extent of his personal struggles when Diana first left because otherwise he might not have been able to hold onto the boys. Besides, people didn’t want to hear “No, I’m not okay. I lie awake in bed every night wondering what I did wrong and how I misjudged somebody so completely.”
“You don’t have to protect yourself from me,” he said softly. “I promise.”
Her throat rippled as she swallowed. “I know. It’s a habit.”
He wondered what had forced her to adopt it. She came across as carefree and self-assured, but maybe it was an act. Had someone hurt her? Anger heated his gut. If so, he wanted to know who and how, but that would come later, when she trusted him fully.
He bolstered himself. “I like you, Faith. You’re passionate about everything you do, and a lot of fun to be around. I—"