CHAPTER FIVE

Kenzie

I WON’T TELL IF YOU WON’T.

The words clung heavily around us, and I didn’t know what to say.

Yes! I could hear my sister’s voice in the back of my head, but I couldn’t get myself to say anything. I didn’t want to paint Chase with someone else’s paintbrush. If I told Lena about it, she would reason it was because my ex had been such as ass. A liar. Marrying his dirty little secret of a bubbly twenty-two-year-old receptionist a week after our divorce had been finalized.

She sure as hell hadn’t told anyone about their three-year affair.

The moment grew and passed, and when I didn’t respond, heavy in my own thoughts, he squeezed my hand to get my attention.

“Chase...” I couldn’t say more than that. I didn’t have words. I wanted to ask if it was only because he was Jack’s teachers or maybe… perhaps because of the other moms he had on a leash as well.

“Think about it. I better get you to your car.” He winked before getting the waitress’ attention and taking care of the bill.

No. Chase Tucker wasn’t like my ex-husband. Chase was amazing. Kind and so damn funny and smart. Great with not just his students, and I had seen him in action when I had volunteered to help host the Winter solstice party, but he was amazing with his nephew and my own boys.

That’s what I was thinking when I turned to look at him as he parked in the school’s darkened lot.

“Let me get your door,” he kindly said before slipping out of the car as I watched him while my mind went into overdrive.

Something about that gesture—a gesture any other woman wouldn’t think about, but to me, to a woman who had been married for over ten years and whose husband had never bothered to open a door for her—was like a lightning bolt. The entire night quickly replayed in my head. We had gone to a nice place for dinner, not once had he looked at his phone, I’d had his complete attention, and I knew in my gut, if we went out again, it would be like that. Easy conversation and laughter mixing and sparking with the mutual attraction we felt. I wanted more. My heart kicked up a notch as his hand reached my door. I wasn’t ready for the night to end. He opened the passenger side door, putting his hand out toward me. Big and strong. Protective. I didn’t know how I knew that, but I did.

I knew it in a way I knew the sky was blue.

My hand slipped in his, the warmth he radiated made me shiver, and I stood close to him.

“Got you back safe and sound.”

“Thanks,” I rasped, my thoughts heavy. God, I wanted to take a chance with the man in front of me.

“I’ll follow you home, make sure you get there okay.”

“You don’t have to—”

“I want to,” he said, and I knew there would be no arguing with him, just like me waiting in the car for him to get the door for me.

“I do, too,” I blurted, and he tilted his head, obviously confused by what I meant. “I mean, yes. if you wanna, umm, you know? Umm, I’ll keep the secret.”

Oh god! I was a moron.

I couldn’t get myself to look at him. Instead, I gazed down toward the floor. My heart beat rampantly in my chest. What was I doing? Why was I such a klutz with this man when it mattered? Where was the woman who had shared all about herself? Was Lena more right about my ex than I had realized?

“Kenzie,” he called out my name, snapping me out of my thoughts.

“Hmm?” I asked, looking at my shoes.

“Sweet thing, look at me,” he demanded, and I did. His hand cupped my face. “You giving me a chance?”

“I’m a hot mess,” I warned.

“I don’t think you’re a mess,” he said softly, and I leaned into his touch. “But you are hot.” His hand curled around my side, pulling me closer to his body.

“That’s sweet, Chase, but I’m serious. It’s not just me, it’s—”

“Do you really think I don’t know that?”

“I just… I don’t know what to think.”

“Then let me enlighten you. I want all of it. As long as you give me a chance, I want a part of whatever you wanna include me in.”

“It’s a lot.”

“I’m a grown man, sweet thing.”

“I know that.” I frowned. “And I don’t mean this in an ugly way, but…”

“But what, babe?”

“You’re single. It’s just you. You’re used to it being just you.”

“I might not have been married, sweet thing, but I have family, and I’ve dated. I know all about responsibilities and priorities. And I’m just saying, Kenzie, the life I lead, I have more than enough room for anything and everything you might want to add to it.”

“What does that mean?”

“We can take this as slow or as fast as you want. I’m not going anywhere. I know what I want.”

“As long as it’s a secret?” I found myself asking, but I needed to know. The way he was talking about things, about us, was more than a fling.

“School’s out in two weeks. I honestly don’t care who knows,” he shared, and I melted further into his body.

“You’re kinda scarily honest.”

“And you’re just honestly beautiful,” he said into the darkness, leaning his head closer to mine. “Give me a chance.”

“Okay,” I agreed. When he slid the length of his nose against mine, my eyes fluttered closed and my heart beat like a drum.

“Tell me I can kiss you.”

“You can—” Not another word slipped out because he rendered me speechless the moment his lips touched mine.

They were firm but coaxing.

As he took my lips with his, nipping the bottom of mine, my hands wrapped around his neck as I stood on the tips of my toes to get closer. His hands tightened on my lower back, pressing me against him, and I didn’t miss the hard length poking at my belly.

A small moan escaped my throat. He swallowed it up as he kissed me like he wasn’t in a rush and obviously in control. Everything around us faded away until we were breathless and panting for so much more.