and not want more? He could already see it all—the way they’d scream in delight as the boat roared across the lake. How much fun they’d have in the pool, splashing everywhere.
How was he supposed to spend time with Sofia and not think of stripping her down and covering her body with his every other second? How was he supposed to hold himself back from cupping her cheek in his palm, feeling the soft warmth of her skin against his?
He shifted in his seat. What was his problem? He was not thinking about seducing Sofia, damn it. And he couldn’t be anything more to her children than an old family friend, either. As much as he cared for Sofia and her children, it wasn’t like he could just snap his fingers and have a ready-made family come running to his side.
It was one thing to give Sofia a good salary to support her children—but another thing to think he could overcome the loss of her husband and the babies’ father. All the money and power in the world couldn’t replace David Bingham.
A happy ending for Sofia was one more thing he couldn’t buy.
But if he could, he would. Because he did care for Sofia and he could very easily care for her children.
So many possibilities.
She opened a bag of Takis chips and held it out to him. “Thank you for being nice to the kids.”
He snorted and took a chip. “You make it sound like I was forcing myself to endure their company and that couldn’t be further from the truth. I’m only sorry we couldn’t hang out more. And,” he went on, cutting her off before she could argue with him, “I was serious about coming out on the boat. I’ll get life preservers for them. Or maybe those little wet suits with the built-in floaties? Marcus had one for his son.”
That set off another round of thoughts. Marcus had married his executive assistant—Liberty Reese, who Eric had tried to poach for his own office.
How had that worked out for the Warrens? They still ran Warren Capital together. They’d adopted a little baby and somehow made a family out of almost thin air.
He shook his head. Those were questions best left for later. “While it’s a little cooler out toward the middle of the lake, the water’s a lot cleaner,” he went on. “The back of my boat opens out almost level with the water, so there wouldn’t be a big jump for them. I think they’d love it.” Then he popped the chip into his mouth.
And coughed again as his tongue caught on fire. “Were these always this spicy?” he spluttered, grabbing the soda and downing the rest of it in seconds. His eyes began to water as sweat popped out on his forehead.
Sofia laughed at him. “No, actually,” she said, studying the bag. “These are a newer flavor. Too hot?”
“I wasn’t prepared, that’s all.” But even as he said it, he swore he could see smoke curling out of his mouth. “I might never be prepared. Let’s not take these out on the boat. I’d never forgive myself if one of the kids ate one by accident.”
Her eyes narrowed as she studied him—although it was hard to look severe when eating corn chips. She didn’t even seem to break a sweat eating those hellfire chips. “You’re really serious? About the boat?”
“Sofia, when have I ever not been serious?”
She fought against a smile, he could tell. Her mouth twisted before she lost the battle and grinned at him. “Gosh,” she said, taking a pastry from the bag. “I can’t think of a time where you were never not serious.”
He liked that smile on her. He didn’t want to see worry crowding the corners of her eyes, drawing her full lips into a tight line. “Are you going to be okay this weekend?”
She looked out the window. “I think so. Yes. This is a whole different world for me, Eric. Private jets and expensive clothes and chauffeured cars...”
“Don’t forget the boat.”
She rolled her eyes, but she smiled again. “Who could forget the boat? I know we’re going to be working. But I’m determined to have fun. I haven’t had time away since...” She swallowed. “Since before,” she finished decisively.
Although it probably wasn’t a smart thing to do, Eric reached over and laced his fingers with hers. For a long moment, her hand was stiff in his and then, just when he’d decided this was another bad idea, her grip tightened around his. That spark flowed between them, but it was okay. Not a seduction. Here, in the car, they could hold hands and it would be all right.
“Sofia,” he said softly, setting the bag of food on the floor and scooting over to her. “I’m so sorry.”
Again, it was another long moment before she relaxed into him, her head against his shoulder. He closed his eyes and savored the feeling of her weight on his body. “It’s...it’s getting better. The job helps.”
“Good.” That was the most important thing, right? That he was giving her a way forward. That was the way he could help her best.
Her chest rose and fell as she took a deep breath and then, looking up at him, she said, “You help, Eric.”
Up close, her eyes were a rich brown, shimmering and sweet, like the finest of brandies. He could get drunk on her, he realized.
He didn’t know if she was leaning up to him or he was reaching down to her. Or both. He was only dimly aware of cupping her cheek with his hand and stroking his thumb over it. “I just want to make everything better for you,” he murmured, staring in fascination as her eyes darkened. “That’s what friends are for.”
“Yes,” she said, her voice little more than a whisper against his lips. “Friends.”
Then she was kissing him and he was kissing her and it was intoxicating. She tasted sweet and spicy and hot. His temperature began to climb and it had nothing to do with artificial flavorings.
This wasn’t like their first kiss. Not even close. Because this wasn’t a tentative touching of lips with their eyes squeezed shut, both holding their breath.
This kiss was everything. He traced the seam of her lips with his tongue and Sofia sighed into his mouth, opening for him. He dipped his tongue into her mouth, searching for her taste underneath.
Sofia kissed him with a wild sort of abandon, like a woman starving for air who’d just surfaced above the waves. Ah, he thought, there she was. She tasted complex and sweet, just like the woman herself.
He shifted so he could wrap his arm around her shoulders and pull her in closer before he went back to kissing her. His blood hummed in his veins as the weight of her breasts pressed against his side. Shifting, he cupped one in his hand, the weight of her heavy and warm in his palm. Sofia moaned against his mouth as he stroked her. When her nipple went tight under his touch, he had to bite back his own groan. She was so responsive. God, she’d be amazing when she let go.
He wanted her to let go now. Still teasing her nipple, he sank his free hand into her hair, tilting her head so he could let his mouth drift down her neck until he found her pulse. It wasn’t weak or irregular. Instead, her heart was beating hard and fast as a soft moan broke free of her lips. “Eric.”
This was right, he realized. Sofia was right where she belonged, in his arms. He was hard for her and wanted nothing more
