Free Love Required by Melanie Codina Page B

after so long. Taking in a measured breath, she gave Jason a sultry smile. “It looks like I’m not the only one around here who likes to tease.”
    She winked and then slowly slid her hand out from beneath his, placing it in her lap.
    JASON had never been a love-at-first-sight kind of guy, and he still didn’t think he was. Lust-at-first-sight was something he could certainly understand. But whatever was going on with Tori was off-the-charts intoxicating. The pull he felt to touch her bordered on inappropriate, because he’d always made sure to act respectful around women, with the exception of a few years in his early twenties where youth and stupidity dominated his environment. But what was running through his head now was anything but respectable.
    Knowing he needed to focus on driving instead of openly lusting at the woman sitting beside him, he put the car in gear and pulled out of the parking lot. It was a short drive to Brody’s Burgers, so it didn’t take long to get there. Jason couldn’t help but take notice of how comfortable he felt having her in his car. When they pulled into a parking space, she was engaged in a conversation with the boys, instigated by Dylan, about which superhero was coolest.
    He was intent on opening her door for her, but settled for helping lift the baby out of the backseat once he saw she was already getting out on her side. He couldn’t help but smile when he saw the look of surprise on her face at him helping with the baby seat. “I’ll carry the seat if you get the diaper bag. While I have no problem sporting the whole brown and pink polka-dot print, it does nothing for my complexion.”
    Tori laughed as she slung the bag over her shoulder. “You’re probably right. I’d have you pegged as more of blues and greens kind of guy.”
    “Blues and greens are good, but I’m told that blacks and grays really bring out my eyes.” He finished with a wink before turning toward the door. Holding it open, he watched as she motioned for Dylan and Ryan to head in before her, and he followed. Glancing down, he couldn’t help but smile at the beautiful baby girl he was carrying. When she saw him look at her, a big smile appeared, and her little body began to squirm as she reached up for him.
    Yep, he was a goner for baby girls, he thought as he lifted her seat up higher in his arms. Looking toward the bar, he held up his hand to show how many were in their group. The young man motioned toward a table in the corner and they migrated that way.
    “Where would you like me to put the baby?” Jason asked. Tori moved to grab the carrier from his grip, but he held tight, saying, “I got it. Just tell me where you want her.”
    “Oh, on the bench is a good spot for it. I’m going to take her out of it anyway,” Tori said as she sat down next to where he had just placed the seat.
    Jason took the seat across from Tori as he watched her lift Lexi out of the carrier. Lexi’s hands went directly to Tori’s hair as she grabbed onto her and cuddled into her neck. When Tori hugged her back and leaned down to kiss her head, Jason felt a twinge of jealousy. He wasn’t sure who he was more jealous of—Tori cuddling Lexi … or Lexi snuggling Tori? Probably both if he were being honest with himself.
    Him not being a father yet had come up plenty of times in the past, more so as he got older. But it was always something he brushed off as nobody’s business but his own—though he was more considerate with his parents because they were his parents. 
    Up until recently, he was content with his current situation, even though he wanted more. But he was patient. Now, though, he could feel his patience slipping away as longing set up camp in his chest while he watched this woman he didn’t know mothering her child.
    He was grateful when the waitress approached for their drink orders, which he happily gave for him and the boys. Once she got Tori’s order and promised to return to take their orders,