Chapter
Eighteen
Drew sprinted back over when I called him. He was great like that. I’d seen kids throw tantrums over not wanting to leave a place or not getting what they wanted. I was lucky Drew had never been like that. He might pout and glare, but never had he thrown his body down to kick or scream. It could be because he knew he’d be in more trouble if he even tried it.
Without saying a word to me, he went right to the dining room door and opened it. I quickly followed, seeing he’d left it open for me, and I didn’t want the cold to get in. I found Drew at the kitchen counter, on a stool opposite Vice who was cutting something up, and again, Drew was talking a mile a minute. Vice was smiling down at him and answering in his gruff, hot voice.
Then he glanced up. My lungs seized.
Everything in front of me I wanted.
Vice standing in a kitchen.
Vice grinning at my son and me.
Vice talking with Drew.
Vice advising and taking care of Drew.
I wanted it all, but most of all, I wanted him as mine.
It all slammed into me, and I stumbled forward. If the table hadn’t been there, I would have fallen.
“You okay?” Vice called.
Nodding, heat hit my cheeks as I straightened. Placing the blanket over a chair, I made my way over to sit next to Drew. “D-do you need a hand with anything?” I asked, while my heart thumped in my chest.
“I’ve got it all organized. Hope you like pork chops with salad?”
“I do.” I smiled, only I couldn’t look at him and stared at his chin instead. He chuckled. I wanted to know what was so funny but didn’t ask.
“Drew, what’s your favorite meal?” Vice asked as he diced some tomatoes.
“McDonald’s.”
“I should have guessed,” Vice deadpanned. “What about you, Adalyn?”
“Chocolate.”
Vice and Drew laughed, but Drew voiced, “That’s not a meal, Mom.”
“Okay then, um…” I tapped my chin, thinking. “I’m not sure. I like a lot of things. What’s some things you like, Vice?”
“Let’s see. I love a roast, any type of meat.” I snorted. Typical man. “Pizza is a must.”
“Yes!” Drew shouted.
“And what about hobbies? What do you do when you’re not working?” Since my nerves about my epiphany had calmed somewhat, I glanced up.
His brows shot up. “You mean I could be doing things besides work?”
Drew cackled. I smiled.
“I like to work out and box. I enjoy watching movies and reading. I do dine out a lot since I’m not a fan of cooking for one, but I do enjoy cooking.”
“You don’t have to eat alone. Mom and I can come here every day if you want,” Drew said, his tone serious.
Reaching over, I tickled him. He wiggled and giggled. “You only want to come to play with all the games.”
“And swim in the pool.” He nodded. “And play outside. But I also want to spend time with Vice.”
Vice cleared his throat, and if I had a guess from his expression of shock, then warmth, he liked Drew had said that.
“I’d like to have you here anytime you want, Drew.” His stare turned to me. “You also, Addy.” I opened and closed my mouth like a dying fish. I couldn’t form a sentence. He smirked. “Let’s head to the table, and I’ll dish up dinner.”
Once we all had our meals and started eating, Drew asked, “Do you have any family, Vice?” It seemed my son wanted to know things about Vice as much as I did. It was sweet and brought a happy smile to my lips.
“I do. Did you know Molly is my sister?”
“What? No way. That’s totally cool. She’s like my mom’s bestest friend.” I was sure I’d mentioned it to Drew, but I mustn’t have.
Vice nodded. “I know. I also have her mother and my mother in my life.”
Drew looked confused. “Two moms? Is that like if my dad was to get married, I’d have another mom?”
“Ah.” Vice glanced at me with an apologetic frown and then turned back to Drew. “Yes, in a way. But she’ll be your stepmom. Though, no one could be as amazing as your mom.”
“I know. She’s really cool.” Drew grinned at me.
I winked. “So are you, kiddo.”
“What subjects did you like most at school?”
What was my son doing? Giving him twenty questions to see if we were suited?
“Math and history.”
“We don’t really do history yet, but I like math. Mom said she used to like art and English.”
“Did she?” Vice glanced at me, smirking.
“She did, but that’s okay. We can’t all like things everyone else does.”
“This is very true.” Vice nodded.
“Drew honey. Eat up.”
“Then maybe we could watch a movie?” he asked.
“I’m sure Vice has other—”
“No,” Vice interrupted. “I really don’t, and since it’s the weekend, I’m sure you’ll be okay if Drew stayed up to watch just one movie here?”
“Please, Mom. Please?” Drew used his hands to pray in front of him.
There was no way I could say no. “Okay.” I grinned.
“Cool!” Drew cried and then started eating with more gusto.
“Slow down, kiddo, before you get heartburn,” Vice said.
My eyes slammed into his. He raised a brow, and I knew he was asking if it was okay he called Drew kiddo like I had. Biting my bottom lip, I nodded. I thought it sweet and would have sobbed over it if I hadn’t stopped myself. However, I saw Vice’s brows dip and I wondered why he suddenly looked concerned.
We finished dinner with a few more questions Drew drilled Vice with. I told Drew to wait for us in the movie room while we cleared the table. I took mine and Drew’s plate up and placed them on the counter, ready for rinsing. When Vice’s hand grabbed my wrist, I looked at him.
“Did I cross a line before?” he whispered, his eyes flicking to the movie room and back again.
“No.” I shook my head.
“You looked upset over it.”
Dang, I must have, and I didn’t want Vice to think it was because I wasn’t happy he called Drew kiddo. So I said, with a small smile, “I thought it was sweet. Sometimes I become emotional when things touch my… heart.”
He reared back, his eyes open in shock. “It touched your heart?” My gaze was drawn to his Adam’s apple as he swallowed.
“Yes,” I whispered.
“Good.” He nodded, his eyes lowering to my lips. “I’d really like to take your mouth about now.”
My heart did a summersault in my chest, and I licked my lips, but I said, “You can’t.”
“Why?”
“Drew. In the other room.”
“I think he’d be fine if he caught us kissing.” Then he shook his head, let go of my wrist he’d been caressing, and said, “However, you’re right, we can’t.”
“Why?” I stupidly blurted.
He smirked. “We’ll talk about it soon.”
“When soon?”
His hand came into my view, and he ran his thumb over my bottom lip. I shivered. “Soon,” he stated, and then went back to stacking the dishwasher.
The thought of kicking myself for saying we couldn’t in the first place was high. Maybe if I hadn’t said no, he’d be in my arms and his lips would be on mine. Still, I couldn’t help but wonder why he’d put a stop to it as well. What did we have to talk about? Why would he want to hold back?
We seriously needed to sort things out. I was so mixed up. What I did know, at least I thought I did, was Vice Salvatore liked me. He wouldn’t come to a basketball game for my son or invite us to dinner to his place otherwise.
Maybe the hesitation had something to do with work? Or the fact I was friends with his sister. It could also be he didn’t want anything serious in case things went sour and caused a problem in their family. Although, that couldn’t be it because he wouldn’t have involved Drew if that were the issue.
So it had to be with work… right?
“Adalyn,” Vice called for my attention. “I’m not trying to send you mixed signals or anything. I’d like to see where this goes between us.”
Moving my wide gaze to the floor, my body trembled from all the thoughts running through my mind.
He wanted to see where it went between us.
He did want me.
Holy shit!
He stated it.
Right there, with the last plate to stack in the dishwasher in his hand.
“Um, I think that would be good,” I said to the floor.
He teased my ears with another chuckle, and my legs wobbled. “Good. Although, for now, for your sake and Drew’s, we need to take things slow.”
“Okay,” I whispered to the floor, again. I was worried if I looked at him, I’d jump him or cry. Both were a possibility, so I’d probably cry while jumping him and get snot all over him, and that wouldn’t be good.
Vice’s body hit the back of mine. His fingers threaded through my hair, causing my body to hum all over. With his other hand, he pushed my hair from my neck and touched his lips there. Then he said, low and husky, “I like you, sweet, shy, clumsy, and fiery Adalyn, and I can’t wait to see you after I’ve made you come.”
My body spasmed along with my hoo-ha. He chuckled. “I think you like the thought of that, baby.”
Baby.
I melted into a puddle.
“Um…” I started. Then he nipped at my neck, and a moan dropped from my lips. “Yes. Now?”
He wrapped both arms around my waist. “Jesus, baby. I wish we could. I don’t mind Drew seeing a kiss between us, since I want you both in my life, but anything else would traumatize him.”
Blinking like crazy, I asked, “Why do you want both of us in your life?”
Another kiss on my neck before he replied, “Because, since the first time I met you, I can’t get you from my mind. With you, comes Drew, and I wouldn’t want it any other way. He’s a great kid, Addy.”
“He is.”
“And you’re an amazing woman,” he added.
“I am?” I was?
“Christ, yes.”
“Okay.”
With his hands on my waist, he shifted me to face him. My eyes focused on his chest. But with his fingers under my chin, he raised my head to have my gaze. “Now you know I’m not fucking around, I want you to never look away from me. Need your gorgeous eyes, Addy.”
Pulling my bottom lip between my teeth, I bit. Was it time to admit the truth?
“Adalyn?”
Scrunching up my nose, I went for it. “You’re kind of hot, and I get freaked. I also sort of like you, and that again freaks me out. I don’t understand why you’d like someone like me. I know that sounds like I’m putting myself down or have issues. I don’t. At least I don’t think I do because I’m happy with who I am. I love who I am, what size I am, and the people around me. The people already in my life I can understand liking me, but you and all that”—I gestured with my hand in a roundabout way over his body—“I don’t understand.”
He smiled softly. “Give me time, and I’ll make you understand.”
“You will?”
“Oh, yeah.”
“Time?”
“Yes, and in that time, I still want to have your eyes.”
“Okay.” I nodded.
He had just started to lean in when we heard the movie room door open and Drew yelled from within, “You two coming?”