Keir

Breakfast is at another restaurant owned by the same guy, but it’s completely different. It's a French bakery theme, and as a breakfast lover, I'm pretty stoked to be here. Having to order different things on the menu does not feel at all like a job. I get a basket of pastries, fruit, Quiche Lorraine, crepes, and three kinds of breakfast potatoes. Grace settles for an omelet and toast, but I'm pretty sure I can entice her into tasting some of my food along with hers.

"You look like a kid on Christmas morning," Grace tells me, with a smile.

"This menu is gold, Gracie. Pure gold."

"Gracie, is it now?"

Oh shit. "Sorry. Is that okay?"

"Yes. Only for you, though, and not when we're in the office."

"Rest assured, I'm not going to share my special name for you with anyone."

"Men," she says, shaking her head, but she's still smiling, so I know it's not a complete insult.

"You can call me whatever you want."

"Keir isn't exactly the easiest name to derive a nickname from."

"I believe in you."

"Hmm. What did your family and friends call you?"

"My mom and dad call me Keir, and my sister calls me different variations of 'asshole' depending on how annoyed she is with me." That earns me a snicker, which reassures me she'll get along great with Ainsley, if they aren't already friends. "My friends call me Keir, K-Man, KM, or Martin."

She looks thoughtful for a moment, and then she smiles. "How about Kei?"

"Because I've unlocked your heart?"

"Keir, it is."

I can't stop myself from leaning over the table to kiss her. "Kei. Please."

"Isn't that supposed to be my line when you finally drop your pants for me?"

"I won't make you beg, unless you want me to."

"We'll see."

Our food arrives, interrupting our flirting, but this time it's not an intrusive interruption. I'm firmly on my side of the table after the short kiss, and our waitress has been prompt and professional since we walked in. If the food's as amazing as it looks and smells, this place could be a total win.

"You realize how ridiculous you look, right?" Grace asks, motioning to the food that's covering both my side of the table, and most of hers, too.

"I'm a growing man."

"Are you now?"

I stop the fork I'm holding, before it makes it to my mouth. The crepe looks good, but the woman across from me is temptation personified. "I'm trying to be honorable over here."

"And I'm trying to send you onto the path of debauchery. Sorry."

If it wasn't for the mischievous glint in her eyes, or the fact that her foot has been creeping up my leg for the last thirty seconds, I might believe she's really sorry. As it is, I'm having trouble remembering why I want to wait to ravish her. Why I shouldn't take her back to the apartment after breakfast, and work up an appetite for lunch?

My phone rings, and now I remember. "It's my boys," I explain before answering. "Hey, Connor."

I know it's him, because it's his turn to talk to me on the phone first. With two kids, it's always about being fair, and making sure they each get equal time, and equal turns.

"Hi, Daddy! Do you miss me?"

"All day, every day."

"I tackled Uncle Zack this morning. He said I did good."

"I bet you did." While Trevor likes to throw, and run, Connor likes to tackle.

"I can't wait to see you, Daddy. I love you."

"Love you too, Con."

He passes the phone to his brother, and now it's the other love of my life on the line. "Daddy, Isa came and helped me with my spelling."

Thank God Ainsley's surrounded by geniuses, since she had to work late, because while Zack is smart, he can't spell for shit. "Good. I was a little worried last night."

"Me too."

"I'm glad you'll be back tonight, even if I'll be sleeping."

"So am I. I love you, Trev."

"Love you too, Daddy."

I put my phone on the table, and look back to Grace. "Sorry about that, but I always take their calls, no matter what."

"You don't have to apologize for being a great dad."

No, I don't, but I'm not sure every woman out there would accept my sons. Honestly, I'm not sure if Grace is going to accept them, which is why I'm taking things slow. The boys and I are a package deal, and I'm really hoping she'll take that deal. If she doesn't—or I even have an inkling she can’t handle them—I’ll walk away, because I'll have no other choice.

Grace

Is it wrong that I found it sexy to hear Keir talking to his sons on the phone? Maybe, but it so totally was. The way his voice changed, and I could hear the love—it was a major turn-on. Could be because I'm so close to my parents, or just because love in any form is beautiful. Whatever the reason, I liked hearing the short exchange more than I probably should have.

"This food is spectacular, but I'm thinking there's another reason you're being so quiet."

"Just thinking."

"Is it too much for you? My boys and me?"

"What? No. The opposite, actually."

"Really?"

"I think I like you even more after hearing you talk to them on the phone."

"You should see me in person with them."

"I want to. When you're ready for that."

"It's more about them being ready, but I want it to happen."

It should scare me to know two little boys hold the keys to everything, but it doesn't. I don't know what kind of idiot walked away from Keir, but I know his sons are lucky to have him. And, so am I.

We flirt some more during breakfast, and I let him talk me into sharing some of his breakfast buffet. It's utterly ridiculous how much food he ordered, but also completely adorable. The food is great, the service is great, and I have to resist the urge to tell Miles this place is a definite buy. We still have two more places to try today, and I need to give them a chance before making my recommendations. I can choose more than one place, but I want to try them all before making my final decision.

In between the two meals, Keir surprises me with a trip to the Phoenix Zoo. It's got all the usual animals, plus a mini farm. I'll admit to having too much fun petting, and brushing, the goats. They nip at my sundress, but that's just cute, too.

"I was kinda hoping that goat would chew right through your dress," he tells me with a smirk, when I finally tear myself away from the littles.

"Scandalous."

"We both know you're going to debauch me sooner rather than later."

"Play your cards right, and I might let you use your teeth to take it off after lunch."

"Alas, I have something else planned for the time between lunch, and dinner. Raincheck?"

"Raincheck, suncheck, whatever works. And yes, I know that sounds desperate, but you apparently bring out the wanton woman in me."

“I don’t remember complaining.”

No, he just keeps shutting me down, and I feel bad, because I keep pushing him anyway. It's not a good look, no matter what he says, and yet, I don’t feel any shame. I know I shouldn't push him, but I don't feel bad about wanting to find my pleasure with him.

"I need to apologize, because I feel like I'm acting like the high school quarterback, trying to get the cheerleader to put out."

He throws his head back and laughs. "I've been called a lot of things, but never a female cheerleader. FYI...I was the quarterback, Gracie, and I want into your panties as much as you want into my boxer briefs."

I groan, because did I really need him to divulge his underwear preferences? I was pretty sure he was wearing something under those jeans, but I didn't know what. I'm already trying to figure out what color they are, and just how snug he likes to wear them.

"You shouldn't have told me that."

"What?"

"You wear boxer briefs. I didn't know, and now I do," I blurt out.

"Shit. Do you want to torture me with what you wear?"

"Today? Because it varies."

His eyes light up, and he licks his lips. "Oh man, I'm going to get a surprise every time?"

"Yes."

He pulls me into his arms, and hugs me. We're in a family area of the zoo, so he just hugs me, although there's nothing just about it. Keir's arms offer a comfort like I've never known before, even from my loving parents. I feel vulnerable, and powerful at the same time, as his heart beats with mine.

"We have time for a couple more animals, if you want."

"Can we see the lemurs? The memes of them are always so cute."

"Let's go."

We hold hands as we walk to the exhibit. The lemurs are even cuter in person, and I fall in love with them at first sight. Before leaving the zoo, Keir leads me into the main store, and buys me a stuffed one, while I help him pick out gifts for the boys. It's probably my best date ever, and the day isn't even over yet.