Delaney

Sebastian was picking me up in fifteen minutes, and I was nowhere near ready. I’d decided to work on edits until the last minute so I wouldn’t have time to think about my date. My nerves would be shot if I had too much time to worry about all the things that could go wrong. The flaw in my plan came when I answered my phone without looking to see who was calling. I’d just finished editing a particularly steamy chapter, and I was about to rush through my pre-date preparations. I figured it had to be Chelsea or Brook calling to talk to me about my date with Sebastian. They’d be okay with me telling them I didn’t have time to talk.

Twenty minutes later, I was still trying to convince, Elsa Mae Fontaine, my ex-husband’s mother, to let me off the phone.

“Cody just hasn’t been able to find the right girl,” Elsa Mae lamented with a sad sigh.

I love Elsa Mae. She’s always been good to me. When I’d been married to Cody, Elsa Mae had insisted on weekly lunch dates and dinners at her house. Now, she called me a few times a month. If I’d stayed in my hometown in Texas, I imagine she’d still make weekly plans with me. My ex-husband would likely be at all those events. There were many good reasons for me to live in California. Elsa Mae wasn’t willing to admit that her son had any faults, but she didn’t blame me for the divorce either. Cody’s parents had made sure I was given enough money from his trust fund to start over without too many worries. Cody’s parents were great.

“I’m sure he’ll find someone,” I assured Elsa Mae.

“It’ll be hard for him to find someone to compare to you, Laney,” she lamented. “You were the best thing to ever happen to my boy. He still misses you. He’s grown up a lot since you left town.”

“I’m sure he has,” I agreed.

“Why don’t you come back for a visit,” she suggested excitedly. “Your parents would love to see you, and so would Cody. He’s mentioned you a lot lately. I think that’s the biggest reason he can’t commit to any of these women he dates. He realizes he had the right woman and lost her.”

I doubted that, but Elsa Mae hadn’t given up hope we’d reconcile. Pigs would fly first, but I’d never tell her that. “I really do wish Cody all the best, but I’m happy with my life. I was just about to get ready for a date when you called.”

I’d mentioned this three other times already.

“He can’t make you happy like Cody did,” she argued. “You two were so in love. It was romantic how you couldn’t wait for graduation to marry.”

“I really do need to go,” I insisted, refusing to get caught up in a conversation about getting back together with Cody. Elsa Mae had rewritten the history of my marriage. There had been nothing romantic about it, and I had no interest in revisiting that time in my life.

“Of course,” she agreed. “I almost forgot to tell you, I just finished your latest book. Lordy that was a hot one. You sure know how to write the naughty bits.”

I grinned at the image of Elsa Mae reading my books. She’d had Cody late in life, at nearly fifty, so she was nearing eighty and still a spitfire. While many people in my hometown disapproved of my career choice, Elsa Mae was proud of me.

“I’m glad you enjoyed it,” I told her.

“I’ll let you get ready for your date, but please think about what I said,” she urged. “Cody has matured an awful lot these last few years. You should give your love a chance. There’s a reason you’ve both been single since your divorce.”

I resisted the urge to tell her the reason we were both still single was Cody hated commitment, and I’d been afraid of getting involved with anyone for fear of ending up with another man like her son. Since I liked Elsa Mae, I kept that to myself.

“I’ll think about it,” I lied.

“I love you, sweetie pie,” she said before making a kissing sound.

“Love you, too,” I replied before ending the call.

Looking at the time, I had ten minutes.

I was already stripping my shirt over my head as I raced to my bedroom. Thankfully, I’d taken a shower that morning to help me wake up before I started writing. Makeup would be at a minimum.

I was impressed with how fast I managed to get ready. When the doorbell rang, I was wearing a jade green dress that fell to just above my knees. My hair had decided to cooperate, and I’d only needed to brush the soft waves for them to flow around my face.

When I opened the door, I found Sebastian standing on my front porch in dark wash jeans with a black leather jacket over his red Henley. “You look beautiful,” he praised, his voice doing that sexy rumble thing that made my body hum with arousal. His lips brushed against mine, teasing me with the promise of those firm lips claiming mine in an all-consuming kiss.

Just that brief touch of his lips left me almost breathless, so it was no surprise that my response wasn’t nearly as polished as I would have liked.

“I didn’t have much time to get ready,” I said before realizing what a ridiculous reply that was. “You look beautiful, too. Handsome. You look handsome.”

His eyes darkened, and I watched his inner struggle. It was nice knowing I wasn’t the only one turned on by our brief kiss. Sebastian stepped back to give us both some space to get things under control.

“Did you get caught up writing something naughty?” he asked.

“Nothing quite that interesting,” I admitted as I turned to lock my front door. “My mother-in-law called. Technically, she’s no longer my mother-in-law, but we’re still close. She calls to check on me on a regular basis.”

“That’s nice.” He placed a hand on my lower back to lead me to his car. “Is that Justin’s mom?”

“No, I was never married to Justin,” I replied with a strangled laugh.

Sebastian stopped at the passenger side of his car and turned to face me. “I’m definitely missing something here. Is now a good time to talk about Justin?”

“In the car,” I replied.

Sebastian nodded and let me in before walking to his side and getting in. “What is the big secret involving Justin?” He sounded cautious, probably worried I was going to tell him something awful about Justin.

“It’s not really a secret, but it’s not the sort of thing I discuss with just anyone.” I began. “Actually, I guess I do discuss it with just anyone, but I was too embarrassed to tell you yesterday when you asked about him. Justin’s full name is Justin Case.”

“That’s an unusual name,” he remarked.

“I named him that because I kept him around just in case I got horny,” I explained. “He’s been my favorite toy for quite some time, and he recently died at a very inconvenient moment.”

Sebastian’s lips twitched.

“You’re going to laugh at me,” I accused.

“Yes,” he admitted, fighting back his laughter. “I’m trying hard not to laugh, but this is funny as hell. I was worried I’d have to compete with Justin, that you’d be comparing me to him.”

“Oh, I will,” I assured him. “Justin took care of my needs better than any man ever has.”

Sebastian chuckled. “Then I’ll just have to work hard to please you.”

“You’ll have to work very hard,” I insisted.

“I think I can do a few things Justin can’t for you,” he assured me.

“Like what?” I asked eagerly as he started up the car.

“Buy you cake,” he replied.

I snorted. “I can buy my own cake.”

“Trust me,” he began in that silky voice that did wicked things to my body. “I’ve got a few other things I can take care of for you.”

“What kinds of things?” I asked a little breathlessly.

“You’ll just have to wait and see,” he replied with a wicked grin.