Free His Secret Past by Katie Reus

eyes. “This is amazing.”
    Jonathan was also awake by now, and before Hunter could say anything to Alexis, Jonathan bounded from the truck. “Cool house, Mom!” Gone was the shy boy who hadn’t wanted to shake his hand. He jumped from foot to foot, waiting for Alexis to come around the vehicle. “Can we look for sand dollars tonight?”
    They’d made good time and a couple hours of daylight remained. Hunter started to answer yes when Alexis shook her head. “Let’s wait until we unpack, then we’ll make a decision. Why don’t you see if there are some toys on the back deck? Michael said there should be a chest of stuff for you to play with.”
    “Okay.” He raced toward the house, up the stairs and ran around the deck.
    “He’ll be fine,” she said. “He just needs to burn off some energy.”
    Hunter grabbed his bag along with hers, and bounded up the small flight of stairs to the first deck. As he twisted the key in the lock, he looked over his shoulder. “Why don’t you go around back and get him and I’ll unlock the back door?”
    Moments later, he opened the back door and Jonathan ran through, holding a small bucket and shovel. “Can we go to the beach now ?”
    Alexis trailed behind him. For the first time he noticed the tired lines around her eyes. “How about you pick your room first, then your mom and I will take you out?”
    “Okay.” Without another word, he streaked out of the living room and around the corner.
    Hunter let out a small sigh. He’d talked to the kid and he’d responded. Sure, it was one word, but it was better than a shrug. “Is he always this energetic?” Hunter asked as they followed him up.
    She nodded and sighed. “This is nothing.”
    The inside of the house was even more impressive than the outside. It had five bedrooms, all with private bathrooms, and a loft, which Jonathan claimed immediately. Alexis chose a room on the second floor, and Hunter made sure his room was next to hers.
    “Why don’t you unpack and I’ll take care of Jonathan for a little while?” The words escaped before he realized he’d voiced the question aloud. Hanging out with the kid alone was stupid, but Alexis just looked so damn tired. Like she needed a few minutes to herself. He’d brought so much misery to her doorstep he wanted to relieve her any way he could. And if he was honest with himself he wanted to spend some time with Jonathan. He might not have a future in his life, but he could still take some decent memories with him.
    He waited for her answer by the end of her bed where he’d laid her bags. An image of sharing that bed with her flashed in his mind. He imagined her naked, stretched out underneath him, moaning his name like she’d done countless times before. He’d kiss a trail down her jaw to her soft neck. Then he’d—
    “Are you sure?” Her question jerked him back to the present. The hesitation in her voice and on her face was obvious, and he didn’t blame her.
    He didn’t know anything about kids, but how hard could watching one little boy be? “I’ll be fine.” He took a step forward and started to cup her cheek in an effort to comfort her. Let her know he’d protect her. The action was instinctive even after all these years, but he yanked his hand back instead. What he wouldn’t give to rub his thumb over her soft skin just one more time. When he looked at her like this, he could feel the years melt away and pretend things between them hadn’t changed.
    Her pulse point went crazy as he stared at her. He didn’t touch her but he couldn’t seem to walk away either. She could likely read the lust in his eyes. And she wasn’t backing up.
    “What are you doing?” Her words came out as a shaky gasp.
    Hammering nails in my coffin. Maybe he really was a masochist. He couldn’t have her so he thought he could caress her cheek as if she were his. As if he had a right to touch her. “Nothing,” he muttered, stepping back. What the hell was wrong with