Matched For Love(42)

“Awesome!” Asher’s eyes lit up, and he slipped the hoodie that was too big over his head. He loved the Broncos. “Thanks, Mrs. Went.”

“Welcome. You look great.” She ruffled his hair. “There’s an extra toothbrush in Emily’s bathroom. Bottom drawer. But for now, how about some scrambled eggs with cheese?”

“Yay. I’m starving!” Asher ran for the kitchen.

Deek took her hand and gave it a squeeze. “You saved the day. Again. Thank you, Lori.”

“No problem.” She looked around, and because the coast was clear, she leaned down and gave him a quick kiss. “You saved me from my sex-starved state, so now we’re even. Feel free to use my shower. Breakfast will be waiting when you get out.”

“Thanks.”

Once the swinging door to the kitchen closed behind Lori, Deek flopped back onto the couch and smiled as he stared at the ceiling that needed a coat of paint.

Lori was one incredible woman.



At the Children’s Museum, Lori helped the last kid in her group wash his hands free of clay, and then they joined the others as the instructor explained how the pottery oven worked. They’d all had a turn molding wet clay on the spinning wheel and were ready to bake their masterpieces. It looked like fun, and she was dying to try her hand at it. Now was her chance. She sat down and pressed the button with her foot to start the wheel spinning.

It’d been a great field trip so far, except that Mr. Raymond had asked her and Deek to team up. With a group of kids that didn’t include Emily and Asher by their request. She couldn’t blame them. Who’d want to go on a fun field trip with your parents watching your every move? And so far, the kids in their group had behaved themselves. And they’d made some pretty amazing things during their pot-throwing lessons.

She’d tried her best to avoid looking at Deek all day, but it was hard not to. He was so good with the kids, patiently showing them how to do all the projects they’d worked on so far. And they all adored him. He was such a great guy. Too bad she couldn’t have him for herself. She needed to remember that.

Lori pressed her hands together as the slimy, wet hunk of clay slipped under her fingers. She was aiming for a vase, but things were quickly going crooked and awry. While she tried to make a correction, a big set of hands covered hers. Deek whispered in her ear, “It’s all about pressure and angles.”

“Very funny,” she whispered under her breath. Memories of the last time he’d used those words made heat climb up her neck, and then swirl deep in her belly. His big, wet hands over hers weren’t helping. Neither was the way he’d plastered his chest to her back. Or how his warm breath tickled her neck, sending shivers up her spine. Geez. She needed to get a grip. They were at a Children’s Museum surrounded by kids. Besides, that had been a one-time thing, especially since Deek mentioned earlier that Annie was probably coming back soon for Asher’s birthday.

“See? You’re a natural, Lori.” As Deek gently guided her hands with his, a beautiful pot appeared before her eyes.

“That’s awesome. Now help me get it off in one piece, please.”

Deek stood behind her with his big arms still wrapped around her and expertly removed the pot. When he backed up to take it to the oven, she missed his body heat. It made her shiver again.

Get a grip!

After she had washed her hands, she rejoined her group of kids. While the instructor explained the glazing process, she snuck another glance at Deek over their little heads. He was watching her too and smiled when their eyes met.

Ugh, she had it bad for him.

It made her a little sad. And more determined to get her head back in the chaperone game and ignore the sexy man across from her. She had a job to do, so she’d just do it. They were off to check out the climbing wall next. She needed to be on her toes to be sure no one got hurt.

After the field trip, on the way back to school, Lori stared out the window of the bus with her new pot in her lap. Thoughts of Deek’s big wet hands on hers kept popping back into her mind all afternoon. She didn’t dare look at him, or she’d blush for sure. Had they made a mistake by sleeping together? It didn’t feel like a mistake. Her heart filled with joy every time she thought of Deek, but that was the problem. Sleeping with him had only made her want him even more.

The loud screech of the brakes announced they were finally back at the kids’ school. Row by row, everyone slowly piled off the bus. There was still about an hour left of the school day, so the kids followed Mr. Raymond back to class, and all the parents were thanked and dismissed.

Lori silently walked alongside Deek to his big car, careful to leave plenty of distance so no one would get any ideas about the two of them. Once she was buckled in, and out of earshot of the other parents, she said, “It seems silly for both of us to go home and then come back in two hours after math club is over. Do you want me to pick up Asher and bring him to your house so at least one of us can get some work done today?”