Free Everything I've Never Had by Lynetta Halat Page B

here. Doing this. Yet, here we are again. And I can't stop.”
    I shiver at his words and will myself to move. I feel his fingers twitch on my thigh, and I ache to bend my knees a little to help his fingers reach their intended destination. I would give anything to feel those fingers on me, inside me. “Adrian, I need—” Right about that time, I hear one of the boys shuffling around in the kitchen, complaining about starving to death. “Adrian, let me go,” I tell him. There's a double entendre to my statement and my eyes pool with unshed tears. He jerks his head back and pins me with his gaze.
    “All right, Celeste. I'll let you go,” he acquiesces. Yes, he gets it. I press my lips together hard, barely containing a pained moan that builds in my chest and threatens to erupt. He eases back but only slightly, dropping his hands and throwing his head back to look at the ceiling. I move toward the door and look back at him. He's braced himself on the wall and let his head fall forward. I pat under my eyes with the sides of my fingers to dry any escaped wetness. I exhale, stand up straight, and go out to check on my starving children.
    After I see to them, I realize Adrian still hasn't come out of the laundry room. I contemplate going to speak to him. Chickening out, I whisper to Archer to go and tell Adrian that I'm leaving.
    Securing the door behind me, I walk briskly to my MINI. I play with a couple of buttons and P!nk's “So What?” blasts through my speakers. “Perfect,” I snap. This will help me get out my pent up frustration before I meet Bradford. Bradford who will not twist me in these knots. Bradford who will not drive me freakin' insane. Bradford who will not cause me to lose myself. Yes, Bradford.
     

 

     
     

     
     
    “I REALLY WISH you would let me pick you up for our future dates,” Bradford tells me.
    I give him a small smile. He is quite gregarious, and I’m enjoying being with him. “I know you would like that, and I appreciate that. I think it's better this way until I'm ready to introduce you to the boys.”
    “So you told me all about them on our last date, and I can't wait to meet them. One thing you didn't do much talking about was you, though.” He gives me a half-smile. He's really adorable and sweet. I'm very fortunate he’s shown interest in me since he's quite different from my other “options,” which are, for me, non-options.
    “Umm...what do you want to know?”
    “Everything, anything that you're willing to share.” I take a sip of my Pinot Grigio and nod my head, collecting my thoughts. Bradford signals to the server, and he's quickly there refilling my glass.
    “Well, what do you already know?”
    He surprises me by not mincing words. “I know that your husband died relatively quickly after being diagnosed with cancer and that you haven't dated anyone. I know that your family is pressuring you into choosing someone to help you raise your children.”
    My back stiffens at this last little tidbit, and I raise my eyebrow at him. “Really? What do you know of that?”
    “Louis told me a little. I don't fully understand it, but I know enough to know that Louis is worried about you.”
    I nod my head a little, taking this in. “My family is very...protective. That's why Louis talked me up to you, playing matchmaker.” I nod my head as I begin to put the pieces together. “Makes sense.”
    “Well, I'm glad he did. Even if he did have a hidden agenda, I think it was a noble one.” He smiles warmly and reaches out to cover my hand with his. I glance at it and am immediately thrown to the all-too recent memory of another hand on another part of my body. It takes a mammoth amount of effort on my part not to pull my hand away.
    I give him a little smile. “Me too, Bradford. You're very nice.”
    He removes his hand but not before running his thumb over mine, causing a slight tingle. “Ah...nice? The kiss of death. Women don't like nice guys.”
    My brow furrows.