Free Love Thief by Teona Bell

fingers on both hands found each other. He laid his other hand over hers and felt her tremble. A sense of wanting to protect her came over him, and he stepped closer. He wished she would lay her head on his chest as easily as Amaya hugged him, but he knew that wouldn’t happen. Regardless, she stayed close, and Elliot let her draw on his strength.
    “She knows how to keep you on your toes,” Charmaine joked. “I didn’t think about whether she thought of me as her mother. She always calls me Aunt Charmaine, and we never talked about anything different. Elliot, I…”
    He waited, silent and wanting her to be brave enough to finish whatever it was she had to say.
    “I don’t know what I would have done these first few weeks of having her without you. I know we just met, but you’ve been an amazing friend and…more, I guess.”
    “I want to be more,” he murmured. She stiffened, so he didn’t drive home the point. “Just do me a favor and let me be that friend you say I am, okay? Don’t push me away, and I won’t try to get more than you’re willing to give. Not until you’re ready.”
    She smirked. “Until I’m ready? You act like you expect I will be some day.”
    “Not some day.”
    “I’ll give you one thing, you’re a positive person.”
    “I am, and I want you to see the good all around you, too.”
    “I’m not in the depths of despair.”
    “No, but you should be in the clouds.”
    “With you?”
    “With Amaya…and…I guess I can join you ladies for a bit of frolicking through the floating islands.”
    “Man, you’re nuts, but I like you.”
    He laid a hand over his chest. “Be still my heart. She likes me! Amaya, did you hear that? She likes me!”
    “Yay!” Amaya shouted.
    “Don’t encourage her.” Charmaine started away from him, but he forgot his vow. He drew her backward and tucked her against his chest, bringing his arms around her waist. When he lowered his head to the top of hers, he breathed in deep and shut his eyes. Her body fit right against his. She squirmed, but he tightened his grasp and moaned. “She’s not looking.”
    “I’m looking. Let go, Elliot.”
    “In a minute,” he said. “This is the other way to make up for the ugly balloons.”
    She giggled. “Don’t start that again.”
    He studied her beautiful face for a beat and peeked over at Amaya. The little girl was still digging around in her clothing drawer, so Elliot decided to steal a kiss. He cupped both sides of Charmaine’s face between his hands and tilted her head back. Her eyes widened, and she grabbed onto his wrists. He waited a second, but she wasn’t trying very hard to get him off. Elliot tossed her a knowing look and leaned down.
    Charmaine’s soft lips parted for him, and he took the offering, dipping his tongue into her mouth. She tasted so incredible, he wanted more and for the kiss to last forever. Unfortunately, something told him they would be caught if he lingered. With a hungry suck at her bottom lip and a brief nibble, he let her go.
    She wobbled and pressed the backs of her fingers to her mouth while glaring at him. Elliot winked, and she smacked his chest.
    “You said you wouldn’t push.”
    “I didn’t push,” he assured her. “My tongue is another matter.”
    “Bastard,” she whispered.
    He grinned. “Get cleaned up. I’ll go shower and change and pick my favorite ladies up in forty-five minutes. That good?”
    “I guess it will work.”
    Elliot caught the twinkle in her eyes and sang about a purple turtle on the way back to his apartment.

Chapter Nine
     
    I’m not in love, damn it! I’m seriously not!
    Charmaine had been having the argument with herself all morning, and she just recalled a night full of dreams that included one stubborn nerd of a man. She couldn’t get him out of her head when she should be writing code.
    Movement at her side caught her attention, and she rolled over to watch Amaya sleeping. Her hair was a mess again, and Charmaine reached