traced a path of fire beneath her shirt, making her skin tremble, anticipating his touch. She wanted to live in this moment. To ignore the warning bells going off in her head.
His lips trailed down her chin and his teeth grazed her throbbing pulse in her neck. The upper cabinets bumped against her head. No thinking. Thinking wasn’t allowed.
But the kitchen? Not the best place in a house with kids.
“We…” she said.
His tongue found a spot on her neck that was as close to divinity as she had ever come. Even her toes curled in response to the flood of longing. Okay, just a second more and she’d stop.
The button of her jeans opened. Then she felt the tug of the zipper.
“Brady?” She tried again to be responsible, but his name came out as a soft moan.
His lips curved into a smile against her neck. He knew she was weak. Captured by his spell. Unable to untangle her thoughts long enough to think about Amber walking in on them.
That did it. She shoved against his chest and was surprised it actually moved him. His eyes were almost black and had that dazed look that she knew was reflected in hers. Their chests moved in time as they drew in much-needed air.
“We can’t do this here,” she finally managed to say.
“Maggie, you’re killing me.” His head dropped to her shoulder. His dark hair tickled her skin, keeping the fire on high.
“Brady, look at me.” It was about time he actually heard her.
He raised his head and met her eyes before his gaze dropped to her lips. She felt a corresponding tug deep inside. There was no way she was turning him out tonight.
“Not here.” She reached out and tipped his chin until he met her eyes again. “Not in the kitchen. Amber might wake up.”
His eyes glowed like a child’s at Christmas. “Well, why didn’t you say so?”
He swung her into his arms before she could make any comment and strode across the kitchen and up the stairs. She patted his arm until he lowered her softly to the floor in the hallway. Grabbing his hand and hoping for the best, she led him past Amber’s door and into her room.
He towered over her and walked her backward until the bed hit her knees. She grabbed his shirt as she lowered herself to the bed. He followed willingly. His lips met hers and banished the other thoughts that had bubbled forth.
“Condom?” she mumbled against his lips.
He pulled out his wallet and withdrew a condom, placing it on the nightstand along with his wallet.
“The door?” She had to cover all the bases while she was still coherent enough.
“Shut and locked.” He nibbled her bottom lip before kissing her senseless.
The sense of urgency took over again as she pulled his shirt over his head. She could ignore the little warning bell going off in the back of her mind. Especially when his mouth was doing divine things to her neck. It didn’t matter that they hadn’t discussed where they were going from here.
It hadn’t mattered before, why should it matter now? Her shirt followed his to the floor. His warm skin rubbed against hers, and breathing became optional. She fell against the bed as his lips worked magic along her collarbone. Her stomach clenched as he worked his way closer and closer to her breasts, which were confined by her bra.
Why shouldn’t she be allowed this? So what if he’d be gone in a week? Shouldn’t she enjoy what she could, like Penny always said?
His hands slipped beneath her and released the catch on her bra. With it out of the way, his mouth covered her nipple and she got her wish. Nothing but sensation flowed through her brain. He branded her with his mouth as his hands worked on her pants.
Want and need replaced everything. As his hands continued to explore her body, she nearly came off the bed when he switched breasts.
A small knock broke through the chaos of sensations. It was probably the house settling. Brady’s finger teased her panty line.
Another knock followed by a small “Mommy?” had Maggie slamming her hand over Brady’s and shoving him to the side. She took three deep breaths before grabbing a shirt and throwing it over her head.
“Just a minute.” Suddenly, she was engulfed in Brady’s rich scent. She had grabbed his shirt, still warm from his body. She held her finger to her lips when she looked at Brady.
He nodded.
Opening the door a crack, she saw Amber’s face covered in tears. Forgetting everything, Maggie dropped to her knees and held out her arms. Amber flew into them, wrapping her arms tight around Maggie’s neck.
“I…had a bad…dream,” Amber said through her sniffles. Her arms stayed tight around Maggie and her head lay on Maggie’s shoulder.
Maggie rubbed her back. Perhaps this was the universe saying don’t sleep with Brady Ward. “It’s okay. Why don’t we go to your room and get you into bed?”
Amber’s head shook violently on Maggie’s shoulder. “I want to sleep with you, Mommy. In your bed.”
Danger. Maggie tried to glance at Brady, but her head wouldn’t turn far enough. Maybe he’d hidden in the closet. He could sneak out after Amber fell asleep.
“Can I call Daddy?”
No matter how many times Amber called him that, it shocked Maggie. she didn’t know quite how to answer. After all, Brady was right there. No need for a phone call.
She wanted to laugh hysterically but instead her mouth opened and closed while she tried to think of some reason Amber couldn’t call Brady besides the fact that he was in Maggie’s bedroom.
“No need to call me. I’m here.” Brady opened the door all the way and knelt beside Maggie. She cringed. What would Amber think?
Amber immediately released Maggie and flung herself at Brady. A stab of jealousy hit Maggie hard. She’d always been the one to comfort Amber. The one Amber clung to when she needed a good cry. The one Amber relied on to keep her safe.
And now Brady was hogging her glory. Not that she wanted Amber to have bad dreams. She just wanted to be the one her daughter wanted to comfort her.
“What happened to your shirt?” Amber asked. She snuggled up to Brady the same way she always snuggled with Maggie.
“Your mom was cold.” Brady glanced Maggie’s way. How could she begrudge him this when he looked so damned happy?
“That was nice of you.” Amber pulled away and smooshed Brady’s face between her hands, forcing him to look at her. “Would you stay and sleep with Mommy and me?”
“Of course.” Brady didn’t hesitate for a moment.
What the hell was going on in her life? First she about had sex with Brady and now she was about to climb in bed with him and their daughter? This was too weird.
Amber grabbed both their hands and led them to the bed. She climbed in and under the covers. “Mommy on this side and Daddy over here.”
Not an ounce of the heat from before was in the look Brady gave her. It was questioning and tender. Almost as if he was giving her a choice. Oh, sure, Amber would blame her for driving Brady away.
Maggie shrugged and grabbed a pair of pajama bottoms from her dresser. After pulling them on, she climbed into bed with Amber.
“I don’t even get my shirt back?” Brady smiled.
“I’m still cold.” Maggie snuggled deeper under the covers. That, and it smelled like him. “If you aren’t going to be comfortable, you could always go home.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.” He sat on the edge of the bed and took off his socks,