One Hot Momma

Layla sighed as she opened the door. Rafe was on her couch, the two kids on either side of him, their heads propped up on pillows resting against each of his thighs. His long arms stretched across the back of the couch, and his head lay back. All three of them were sleeping. The soft glow of the television provided the light. She turned and locked the door. Shaking her head, she turned back into the living room and then almost jumped right out of her skin.
“Rafe,” she quietly scolded. He was wide awake and looking at her.
“What?” he asked and gave her an innocent look.
After tugging off the raincoat, she hung it on a nail by the door. If she didn’t look at him, he couldn’t affect her. Though God knew she loved to look at him. She would love to touch him, to taste him, to wrap her arms around him and have him hold her the same. “I told you, no more movie nights. They can’t get used to you spoiling them.”
“Grab Savannah, will ya?” He lifted Brice into his arms and stood once she had Savannah in hers. “She’s older but he’s heavier.”
“Rafe.” She wasn’t sure if she said his name as a warning or if she called it out because she liked to say it. “This isn’t working.”
She followed him down the narrow hallway to the room the two children shared. She hated that he saw her apartment and how poor they were. She worked as much overtime at the shelter as possible. Truth be told she couldn’t afford not to work overtime. Montana was far away from Georgia, but the cost of living was an adjustment.
Meeting Rafe was another adjustment altogether. You cannot allow him to penetrate your senses…defenses dammit! Stop thinking in terms of touch.
“She likes the bear,” he told her as he tucked Brice into his bed. Then he walked over and tucked Savannah into hers. “She also likes the blankets tucked in all down her sides.”
It irked her that he knew more about the children than she did. With annoyance clear on her face she said, “Thanks.”
She followed him out and into the hall. He shut the door to the children’s room, something he never did before. “Is that something they like now, too?”
“No.” He turned. Suddenly she was aware of how small the hallway was. He didn’t back up or give her any space. The scent of warm male spices filled her nose and almost stole her breath away. “You said this isn’t working. I agree. I’ve been trying to talk to you for the last three months, but you keep brushing me off.”
“Are you quitting?” Her heart almost exploded. Rafe was such an important part of the children’s lives now. If she allowed herself an instant of honesty, he had become important to her, too.
“Far from it.” He stepped forward and caged her in by placing his hands on either side of her head and against the wall.
“Rafe, you’re making me a little uncomfortable here. We have an arrangement.” Her voice whispered what she should have shouted at him.
“I’m making a new arrangement.” He nuzzled her nose with his.