Free Falling for Flynn by Nicola Marsh

them in a sensuous cloud.
    She wanted him to kiss her.
    He could read the signs a mile off and just when his befuddled brain overrode his common sense and he was about to do just that a hand slapped him on the back.
    “Hey, Flynn. Didn’t know you liked a bit of culture.”
    Amazed at how close he’d come to kissing Lori in front of half of Melbourne, he waved at Michael, torn between wanting to thank his accountant for interrupting and telling him to shove off and leave them alone.
    “And you look lovely tonight, Lori.”
    “Thanks. How are you?” Lori stepped back and Flynn missed her closeness. Man, he was definitely losing it.
    “I’m fine, now such a big client has come to town.” Flynn stiffened as Michael sent him a conspiratorial wink Lori didn’t see. “The army, you know.” He clarified and Flynn relaxed slightly.
    “I’m sure Lori isn’t interested in hearing our business,” Flynn said, eager to escape before Michael put his big foot in it. He’d warned him about keeping his secret and Lori was no fool. If Michael accidentally slipped up, she would pick up on it in an instant.
    “Actually, I’d love to hear about it some time. Flynn doesn’t talk about the training center much.”
    Michael waved away her concern. “Not to worry. You know what these soldiers are like: big, strong, silent types who blow into town, create havoc and then go AWOL.”
    Flynn forced a laugh at Michael’s description. However, as he glanced at Lori, she wasn’t laughing. In fact, she’d paled.
    “See you tomorrow, Michael.”
    He glared at the accountant, who got the message this time.
    “Sure. Have fun, you two.”
    Michael walked away, leaving them alone as Flynn took hold of Lori’s upper arms and turned her to face him.
    “What’s wrong?”
    “Nothing,” she mumbled and avoided his eyes, her gaze fixed on the chandelier behind his head.
    He placed a finger under her chin and tilted her head up.
    “The truth this time.”
    She shook her head, breaking their tenuous contact. “Michael’s right. You’re here but for how long? You haven’t given me any indication if you’re planning on sticking around.” Her voice dropped to a murmur. “For Adam’s sake, I need to know.”
    Lori knew what she wanted to hear. She wanted to hear Flynn say he was here for the long haul, that he wanted them to be a family in every sense of the word.
    Though she’d just lied to him. No matter what happened between them she knew Flynn would be there for Adam from now on. She didn’t know if that picture included her and she needed to know for her sake, not Adam’s.
    “I don’t know what you expect me to say.”
    He took her hand and she wrenched it back, knowing his touch would distract her. If ever she needed to focus, it was now.
    “I want the truth.”
    She watched the shutters descend over his eyes, her hopes plummeting. She’d been a fool to read more into the time they’d spent together. Of course, he’d invited her along to his dinners with Adam. What better way to ease into a relationship with his son than by having the mother along to smooth the way?
    Instead of seeing those intimate evenings for what they were, the deepening bond between a man and his son, she’d read way too much into them and built a stupid little happily-ever-after fantasy in her own head.
    Flynn sighed and thrust his hands in his pockets.
    “The truth is I came here to open the training facility. I didn’t expect to see you let alone discover we have a son. And now I know about Adam I fully intend to be a part of his life whether I’m here or not.”
    But what about us? She wanted to scream. What about my life?
    “For Adam’s sake, I think it’s vital we get along.”
    Get along?
    She’d been dreaming of weddings and more children, he wanted to get along?
    So much for her one big happy family fantasy. Time to start living in the real world.
    Pasting a bright smile on her face while her heart ached, she nodded. “I agree.