Free My House, My Rules by Constance Masters Page B

“I'm a sucker for a good romance.”
    Jay smiled. “We all want to live happily ever after.”
    “Life doesn't always end that way.”
    “No,” Jay said. “Not always, but when we believe there's a chance it can end that way, we have hope.”
    “I had what I thought was my happy ever after once. It broke my heart when Steve died. I don't know if I can risk going through that again.”
    Jay leant across the table and took her hand. “I can understand you being scared,” he said. “But what if ? What if there was a chance that you could be happy again?”
    “Of course I want the chance to be happy,” she said. It was hard to try and think rationally when the mere touch of his fingertips was creating such a physical reaction in her. That was the same hand that had bounced off her bottom the night before. And he'd threatened to do it again. She really should invest in some new underwear, but what kind? A pretty, lacy pair? A sexy thong maybe, although that wouldn't offer much protection. A thick pair of boy shorts possibly, with something cute emblazoned across the back.
    “I'm glad,” Jay said. “So do I. Question is, do you want it badly enough to take a chance?”
    Alex blushed furiously. “What exactly are you asking me?” she dared with a grin.
    “I want to see more of you,” he said.
    Alex giggled. The thong then maybe, she thought, although she knew that wasn't what he meant.
    “I know we've only just met, but sometimes you just know when something is special. I can't explain it.”
    “I would have thought that an author wouldn't have any trouble expressing himself,” she said with a smile.
    It was Jay's turn to blush. “All I know is that from the minute I set eyes on you, I had this feeling. This is special, Alex, I know it is.”
    Jay stopped talking while the waiter placed their desserts on the table and poured coffee. He was grateful for the breather. It was really hard to try and explain the way he felt.
    “Thank you,” Jay said to the waiter and then turned again to Alex. “You know how I came to buy that house? My car broke down, and I had to wait to get it towed. I just happened to notice the 'For Sale' sign. It was an open house, and I thought I may as well take a look while I was waiting.”
    “Really,” she said. She didn't really believe in divine intervention or anything, she didn't think, but there was no explaining the goose bumps that prickled up her arms.
    “Yeah. I fell in love with it.”
    “Oh, I can see why!” she said with a sarcastic giggle.
    “Yes. Miss Smarty-Pants,” he said with a twinkle in his eye. “You making fun of my house?”
    “I'm joking. Wait 'til you hear my ideas. I honestly think it has a lot of potential.”
    “What about us?” he asked. “Do you think we have potential?”
    “Maybe. I'd like to think so. I know I feel something too,” she said finally. “You don't think it's all happening a little fast?”
    “Not for me.” he answered honestly. “Do you feel like it's happening too fast?”
    “Surprisingly, no.” When he squeezed her hand, she squeezed his back.
    “Then that's all that matters. So,” he said with a chuckle, “wanna be my girlfriend?”
    “Oh, my God !” she said drily. “Are you asking me to go steady?”
    “I guess I am,” he said with a charming smile that just about melted her bones.
    Alex sighed. Jay was a free agent. She was worried he'd get sick of being tied down to a woman with two kids. Then where would that leave the boys if they were already attached to him. “Jay, I'm not sure if you know what you'd be getting into. It isn't just me,” she said seriously. “My boys are… not easy.”
    “I know that. I want the whole package, and I think they seem to respond well to me. The only question is will you take a chance?”
     
    * * *
     
    “So,” Kelly asked the boys generally, not really caring which one answered. “What do you think of Jay?”
    “He's cool,” Thom said.
    “He plays with us,”