Free Surviving Love by M.S. Brannon Page A

enjoyment. I can feel my panties melt away from the heat his eyes gives off, instantly igniting me to my core, but Jake’s not fooling anyone here. I’ve seen smiles like that my entire life and have learned my lesson the hard way. Yes, he is a gorgeous man and it would probably be a good time fucking him, but with a smile like that…he’s a player, which is the worst kind of guy to get hooked on.  
    Sex is a powerful connection, and I have no doubt it would be mind blowing with him. The last thing I need is to get hung up on a guy, something I tend to do when the sex is amazing. I will be practicing abstinence for as long as I can hold out.  
    Darcie moves to her seat between Reggie and Delilah then motions for me to begin.  
    “Okay, what’ll you have?” I ask, just as they all start firing away their demands. Oh, shit, this should be interesting.  
    Drake  
    I’m walking behind the line workers, overseeing their work as they sort the various metals into the correct places. I’ve got a few new guys who’ve just started this week and they need constant supervision. I can’t keep my mind from wandering back to Saturday night, though. My reaction to the girl who strolled into the bar and upset my oblivious state of mind has me baffled. Although she wasn’t there long, the very sight of her has been burned into my memory.  
    She’s tall, a lot taller than normal girls. I’m guessing she’s just under or right at six feet. Trim legs that go on for miles; beautiful, full lips; flawless, pale skin; full breasts; and long, chestnut brown hair that curls in large waves down her back. With all that, it’s the look her gray-blue eyes gave me that has me flying downward in a tailspin. I can’t get that feeling out of my head. The more I think about it, the guiltier I feel for allowing myself to think of another woman only eighteen months after Presley’s death. I’ve never thought another woman could ever pull me from my dark head, but this girl has. She’s moved her way into my mind—completely throwing my world off balance.  
    Then there’s Mia I need to consider as well. My daughter is young, and if I even consider moving past Presley, I have to find someone who will be good to my baby. Someone who’s willing to love her the way a mother loves a child. I refuse to allow anyone around my baby until I know for sure this is something worth believing in.  
    What am I doing?  
    How am I even considering being with anyone right now?  
    I get angry with myself instantly as the guilt of thinking of another woman floods my body for the millionth time since I’ve seen the mystifying girl. I’m getting the urge to punch something, yet I have to control it. I can’t afford to lose my job over stupid emotions brought on by someone I’ve never even met. I shake my head and turn my focus back to work.  
    When the day is over, I drive to Mrs. Fields’s to pick Mia up from her house. The rest of the day was better once I was able to keep my focus on work instead of that damn girl.  
    When I walk into the apartment, Mrs. Fields is sitting on the couch watching Mia play with her dolls, but something is off. I look over to her to notice she looks horrible, sickly.  
    I fall to my knees and startle her out of a trance. “Are you okay?”  
    “Oh, Drake.” Mrs. Fields jumps slightly and takes a tissue to her nose. Her skin is very pale and clammy. “I think I caught a little flu bug or something. I’ll be fine. It’s nothing my old bones can’t handle.” She smiles back to me, but it’s not the usual smile she gives.  
    “Do you want me to get you anything?” I ask.  
    Before she can answer, Mia has finally noticed I’m here and comes running into my arms. “Dada!” She wraps her arms around my neck and I return her embrace. This is one of the best feelings in the world. “Nanny sick, Dada.” Her look has turned to concern as she points to Mrs. Fields sitting on the couch.  
    “I know, baby,”