Flynn(20)
Why had that sounded like the best thing she’d heard in months?
****
Had Lacey been playing matchmaker?
Flynn knew she loved having Emily stay over. She’d been kind to his daughter since the first time she’d met her. But somehow he got the feeling she’d seen the way he’d looked at Natalie while they’d been visiting. Did he have I’m smitten with this woman, written all over his face? It had been so long since he’d had this bubbly nervousness in the pit of his stomach that he’d almost forgotten what it felt like to be this attracted to someone.
He’d tried his best not to think too far ahead just in case she was here one day, gone the next. However, each hour he spent with Natalie, he grew more attached to her. He’d dropped off an overnight bag for Emily and now he was on his way to the motel where Natalie was staying. He’d told her to wear something casual. He’d thought about taking her to the steak restaurant just a few miles out of Timber Creek, but finally decided on the bar and restaurant right in the heart of town because it was music night and lots of local folks would be there so she might get to know some people. She’d feel more at home and hence instead of looking for a vacation home, make it a permanent one. Yeah, Timber Creek wasn’t overrun with attorneys so one more wouldn’t hurt.
He knocked on the door of her motel room and when she opened it he realized she’d not listened to his words about being casual. Here he was in his jeans and denim shirt and she’d put on a dark red wrap around dress that clung to her thighs and breasts too.
His heart raced, and yes, he’d be honest, his cock twitched too just thinking about spending the evening with her.
“That’s not what we call casual around these parts,” he said. “But you look beautiful.”
“Thank you. Let me just grab my purse, and I’ll be right with you.”
He leaned against the door jamb as he waited and watched her put on her jacket before swinging the purse strap over her shoulders.
“I thought you might like to see our local bar,” he said closing the door for her. “It’s not all about drinking. The food’s great, and on Saturday nights they have live music.”
“Sounds like fun.”
They got into the truck and Flynn turned up the heater before he pulled out onto the main road. He didn’t want her thinking Montana was too cold.
“Seems Emily loves Lacey and your brother. And your other brother too,” she said.
“Yeah, she does. Her gran too, and they love her which makes me feel a lot happier. She’s not easy at times, but they all have lots of patience with her.”
“It must have been difficult for you raising her without the help of a wife.”
“I couldn’t have done it without my family.”
“Did you know she had Down syndrome before she was born?”
If the relationship was going to continue it was probably best she knew about Emily. Well, not the whole story, only his brothers and his mother knew the true story of how he came to be her father.
“Emily’s not my natural child. My wife and I adopted her, and yes, we knew she was a special child.”
He turned to look at Natalie. He was sure he saw tears in her eyes.
“That was wonderful of you,” she said.
She dabbed the corner of her eye with a tissue. He’d been right. Those were tears in her eyes. And it made him want her even more.
****
Natalie loved the fact that his hair was long enough that it curled over the back of his shirt collar. She ran her fingers through it as they swayed in perfect time with the music. She hadn’t counted on her child’s father being do damn sexy and hot. Sleeping with him had been the last thing she’d imagined doing when she’d met him, but she wanted him to make love to her tonight. Did he have that on his agenda too? She hoped so or she’d be taking a cold shower at the motel as soon as she got back.
He ran his hand up her back, just to the left of her spine and it sent shivers of a good kind throughout her body. She’d had too much wine, but she’d been nervous when they’d first stepped into the bar. Now her senses were lowered, and she was beginning to relax.
He told her that he’d adopted Emily, that he’d known she was a Down syndrome baby, yet still wanted her. It had moved her, touched her heart, and she’d almost blurted out a thank you for taking my child and giving her a loving home. But she was still being cautious, yes, selfish too, not revealing who she was and why she’d come to town. She’d stepped over a line and couldn’t go back. The way was forward and once she felt comfortable about having his trust, then she’d tell him.