Even though Tom said he’d be late getting back, I’m surprised at how late it is when he returns with Megan.

When she walked through the door, looking a little worse for wear, but safe and sound, I almost collapse with relief. I rush over to her before either of them have a chance to speak and throw my arms around her. Megan bursts into tears and hugs me back.

I pull back, putting my hands on either side of Megan’s face, searching her expression for any signs that anything’s wrong. “Where have you been? I was so worried.”

“I’m sorry.” Her chin is wobbling. Her eyes are swollen and puffy. I guess she’s been crying for hours.

Tom smiles watching our reunion. He places his keys down on the cabinet in the hall. His eyes are surrounded by dark circles. He looks exhausted.

“Don’t cry, sweetheart. I’m just glad you’re okay.”

Megan looks up at me anxiously. “How’s Mom doing?”

“She’s out of surgery and stable. They have her on every single blood thinner to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

Her body slumps with relief. Her face crumples with guilt. She shakes her head. “Please don’t tell her I left. It was a huge mistake. I’m so sorry.”

I hug her. “I won’t say a word, but you have to promise me that you’re never going to scare us like that again! We were worried out of our minds.”

Megan bows her head. “I know. Uncle Tom told me you called the police and everything.”

“We wanted you to be safe.”

“I’m safe.”

“And Justin?”

Tom casts me a warning glare, and I guess that something has happened. I say no more.

“You look exhausted, sweetheart. Get yourself ready for bed, and I’ll make you a hot chocolate and something to eat.”

“Thanks, Aunt Zoe.”

“We’ll talk more in the morning.”

Megan is out cold within twenty minutes. I don’t know what adventure she’s had, but it’s taken every last ounce of her energy. I stand in her doorway watching her after she’s fallen asleep. I’m terrified that she’ll slip away again. When I finally leave her, I leave the door ajar.

Downstairs, Tom has collapsed onto the sofa, a cold beer in his hand. I sit beside him, offering him a warm smile. “Out of the woods for another day.”

He lets out a long breath and smiles. “Thank God. Today was a tough one.”

“What happened with Megan?”

“I’ll leave out the details. Let’s just say Justin is going to have hell to pay when Tess finds out what he’s been playing at. Megan needs to stay away from him from now on.”

“Really? I always thought he was a nice boy.”

“He’s a predator. She deserves better than him.”

I smile. “It’s good to see you sticking up for her. I thought you’d be furious when she came home.”

“I was, but then we had a long heart-to-heart, and I can’t be mad. She reminds me too much of myself.”

“What do you mean?”

“Things get overwhelming, and she bolts. Credit to her, though; she stuck it out a lot longer than I ever did. I’m proud of her for coping as long as she did, and I’m proud of her for coming back.”

It warms my heart to hear Tom talk about Megan like that. He’s learned to put her first, even when she’s testing him. To me, that shows how much he cares.

“What did you guys talk about?”

“Everything. She’s a tough cookie, isn’t she?”

I smile. “Yes, she is. Just like her mom.”

“I didn’t realize how hard Mike’s death had hit her.”

“It did. She adored him. Is that what this was about?”

Tom looks over his shoulder to make sure Megan isn’t in earshot and lowers his voice. “She thought Laura might not make it, and got scared. She wondered what would happen to her and Jack with no parents.”

Poor Megan. “I would come live with them permanently,” I say. “No question. I’d treat them like my own.”

Tom smiles at me. His eyes are filled with fondness and something else. Admiration? “That’s what I love about you, Zoe. You’re selfless. I’ve never met anyone who gives quite as much.”

“Of course, you have. Laura does.”

“You’re right. She gives her all as well. And here’s me, thinking that everyone was always asking too much of me. I’ve never been there for any of them.”

I lay my hand on his arm. “Don’t be too hard on yourself. We all handle our griefs and our difficulties in different ways.”

“I don’t handle them at all, do I? I run. I’ve always run.”

“Not this time.”

He turns to me and smiles. “No. Not this time.”

I catch his eyes; he doesn’t look away. I’m aware of my own heart beating. Time stands still as we hold onto each other’s gaze. A blush rises up my cheeks; I smile, then look away.

“You’ve done so much for this family since Laura’s accident. You made sure she got the best care. You’ve looked after the kids. You’ve kept everyone’s spirits up when times have been tough. You gave us all a wonderful Thanksgiving. You dropped everything to rescue Megan today. Whatever has happened before, this time, you couldn’t have done more.”

“I’m trying to be less cold and emotionless.”

He’s teasing, but I feel a pang of guilt anyway, and bow my head. “I didn’t mean that.”

“Yes, you did. You were right. You know, my time here on this visit has opened my eyes to a lot. I’ve been missing out on so much. Is it stupid to say that I’ve enjoyed playing this role for a while?” He laughs at himself and looks away. “I feel like a terrible person saying it. Laura’s in the hospital, and I’m having a good time with her best friend and her kids. It’s like a glimpse into a different life.”

I look into his eyes. They’re filled with regret and longing. The cold, heartless exterior is thawing. Inside is my Tom, my mystery man. The One.

“It’s not stupid. I’ve felt it, too.”

Tom turns to me. His hand slips into the hair behind my ear, his palm resting against my jaw. He leans in.

His breath is warm on my face. I smell his intoxicating cologne. He hasn’t shaved since Laura took a turn for the worse. When he kisses me, his stubble brushes against my lips. My body reacts to the rough, sweet sensation.

I climb onto his lap, straddling him. I wrap my arms around his neck and lean in to taste him again. He parts my lips with his, his kiss growing in urgency. His body is warm against mine. I hold onto the gray fabric of his T-shirt, feeling the taut muscles beneath.

Tom’s haircut has grown out. His dark hair is wild; the way I like it. I run my hands through it, sinking my fingers into his hair as I kiss him deeply. He slips his hands under my top; they rest on either side of my navel.

I step away from him. Tom slumps in disappointment; he thinks I’m holding my distance again. Instead, I pull him up by his hand and lead him to the bedroom, closing the door behind us and drawing the drapes shut.

It’s dark in the bedroom. I turn on the bedside lamp, throwing a crimson scarf over it to dim the light. It casts a soft red glow across the room.

I approach Tom and lift his shirt. He pulls it over his head, and it drops to the floor. He grins.

Seeing him smile with hunger in his eyes fills me with desire. I’ve wanted him for so long. Tom has been patient and true to his word. He’s put the kids first. He’s stepped up.

And every day I spend with him, I love him a little bit more.

I unbutton Tom’s jeans, pulling the denim to the floor, followed by his briefs. He’s completely naked; the red glow of the lamp highlights every muscle, the rows of his abdomen perfectly ripped, ending in a V at his pelvis.

Beneath his perfect abs, his cock is swollen and throbbing. I grow wet at the sight of him so hard for me, as ready as I am to give in to what we both so desperately desire.

I drop slowly to my knees, keeping my eyes fixed on Tom’s face as my lips close around the head of his cock. He leans his back against the wall and threads his hands gently in my hair.

He softly guides my mouth against his cock. He’s long and hard. I wrap one hand around him as I suck until Tom begins to let out soft moans of appreciation. He stops pressing, instead just resting his hands on my head, caressing my hair while I take him deep into my mouth.

I watch his expression grow blissful, loving the way he tilts his head back in pleasure, his dark hair brushing against his shoulders when he does.

Tom stops me before he comes, holding his hand out to help me up, encircling my waist with his arm, and pulling me close into a warm, loving kiss, which holds more than just raw lust.

I lift up my arms, and Tom pulls my sweater over my head. He reaches around behind me and unclasps my bra. It falls to the floor, exposing my breasts, heaving with each heavy breath.

My body tingles in anticipation. I tease his cock with my hand, enjoying the feel of him against my palm, hard and throbbing.

He urges me toward the bed and pushes me down, so I’m lying on my back. He peels away my pants and hooks his thumb in my panties, pulling them down too.

Naked in front of him, I feel liberated. Every shred of tension and fear melts away. Every mental block vanishes. I keep my arms above my head, one leg lifting up the sheets.

Tom pushes my knee outward and bows his head between my legs. His tongue seeks out my clit. I sigh with pleasure as he presses his tongue against me, licking me with soft strokes until my sighs turn into stifled cries. I’m so wet. I lean forward and guide Tom’s face back to mine, kissing him deeply.

I close my hand around his cock, guiding him toward my pussy. My eyes catch his. Fuck me.

A spark of desire alights in his eyes. He thrusts into me. My body cries out with pleasure. Tom pounds into me, each stroke deeper, more urgent. I keep my hands in his hair, pulling him down for one kiss after another. His lips move from my mouth to my throat, to my breasts. He gently bites at a nipple.

My body is on fire. I’ve never felt so satisfied in my life as when Tom is kissing me, his cock deep inside me, his eyes saying things I still haven’t heard from his lips.

I place my hands on the small of his back, grinding against him, keeping our bodies close as he thrusts. He’s deep inside me, each stroke an explosion.

My swollen clit throbs with each stroke of Tom’s cock. As he pounds into me faster, the sensation grows. I throw my head back on the pillows and swallow my cry of pleasure as I come with an orgasm so intense my back arches and my toes curl.

Tom moans at the sound of my climax and thrusts harder. Moments later, he comes, too. He lowers himself onto me, his hot body resting against mine. He turns his face toward me, locking me in another kiss. My body is tingling all over.

Tom rolls away and lays at my side. He opens up an arm, inviting me to curl up against him. I press my body against him, resting my head on his chest. I can hear his heart beating quickly. He kisses my forehead. “You never cease to amaze me, Zoe. That was incredible.”

“I’ve wanted you for such a long time.”

“Why tonight?”

“I couldn’t resist anymore. I know I’m supposed to put the kids first, but it’s too hard to be this close to you and pretend I feel nothing.”

Tom pulls me closer. I can feel him smiling. “Don’t worry. I’ll head back to the sofa soon, so the kids don’t suspect a thing.”

I turn and look up at him. I shake my head, catching his eyes. “Don’t.”

“You want me to stay?”

“Yes.”

He smiles and settles back down into the pillow, resting his cheek against the top of my head. “Then I’ll stay.”

Lying in bed with Tom beside me, I feel complete. As immature and irresponsible as Tom can be, I recognize the man I fell in love with online in him, and I’m starting to see so much more. For all the mistakes he’s made, I’ve never known a man try harder to do the right thing.