He moved down, kissing her belly, sliding his tongue in her navel, then moving lower. Here, her scent grew more exotic, sweet and musky, and he couldn’t wait to taste her, to take her right to the edge and watch her fall over.

He drew her panties down and slid his tongue over her, and she cried out, spreading her legs for him, trembling as he licked her and found her clit, then put his lips around it and sucked.

“Will. God, Will, yes.”

Here was where she was most responsive, and where he loved to give her pleasure. And she took it, arching against him with fervor. When she came, it was with an unabashed cry of release. He held her h*ps and took her right where she needed to go, loving the taste of her as she released.

He stood, enjoying the sight of her body bathed in that blush of orgasm. She sat up and reached for his zipper, her knuckles brushing his c**k as she drew the zipper down.

Her eyes were dark with spent passion as she locked gazes with him while she pushed his jeans past his hips. He stepped out of them, watching her while she removed his boxer briefs and grabbed hold of his shaft.

And when she leaned forward and took him in her mouth, it was his turn to fight for breath.

He swept her hair behind her back and held it out of her way so he could watch her pleasure him. He tightened as she took him deep, his muscles tensing when she rolled her tongue over every ridge, then licked the sensitive crest of his c**k before engulfing him, using her hands to stroke him.

He shuddered, right on the edge.

He pulled back, leaning over to kiss her, cradling her head in his hand so he could take the kiss deep. She pulled up and aligned her body against his.

He felt the rapid beat of her heart against his chest, the way she trembled. He felt the same way, that if he didn’t get inside her soon he was going to explode.

He laid her back on the bed and grabbed a condom, put it on, then slid inside her.

She threaded her fingers through his hair as she arched upward. “Yes,” she said on a gasp. “This is where you’re supposed to be.”

His gut tightened at her words and he thrust deep. “Yeah. Right here.”

After that there were no more words because he was swept into a maelstrom of sensation, of her body taking him over, her lips meeting his in a kiss that electrified him. And as he moved inside her, he knew there was no other place he’d rather be, no other woman he wanted to be with. She fit him perfectly. Her body was made for his, and as she tightened around him and cl**axed again, he went with her, groaning against her neck as he exploded with his release.

Later, when he could breathe again, he rolled to his side and pulled her to face him. He brushed her damp hair away from her face.

“Mind if I stay the night?”

Her lips lifted. “I was hoping you would.”

“Good. I brought extra condoms.”

“I bought a box of them. They’re in the bedside drawer.”

“See? This is why we’re so well matched.”

She grinned. “I think so, too.”

It was going to be a long night, and he didn’t think there’d be much sleeping.

CHAPTER TEN

In the past several weeks Jane and Will had been out as much as possible, given her schedule and his.

Her mom had been really helpful, offering to watch the kids, even during the week. Jane had balked at that at first, since school was in session. But she did want to see Will, so she allowed herself to spend at least one weeknight with him. Sometimes they went out, but usually just for a quick bite to eat, and then they’d end up at her place for some alone time before she had to go pick up the kids.

The alone time was her favorite part, when she and Will got to know each other’s bodies.

He was really good at getting to know her body. And she loved worshipping his. After all, it was a great body. She could spend hours looking at it, touching it, tasting it. Those hours always seemed way too short.

But it wasn’t just the two of them. And she loved that Will insisted they spend time with the kids, too.

Last weekend, Will had suggested they all go to the zoo. It had been a long time since Jane had taken the kids to the zoo. She didn’t know why. Busy with stuff and other things to do, she supposed. But the kids loved the idea, so off they went.

A lot had changed at the zoo. A lot had changed in her life lately, too. Namely having Will a part of it.

Tabitha loved Will. At the zoo, she’d held his hand and dragged him to all the exhibits. Apparently Tabitha and Will shared a love of penguins, so it had practically taken an act of Congress to get the two of them to leave the penguin exhibit. Only the suggestion of lunch had pried them away.

And then there was Will and Ryan’s shared love of sports. Will had talked to Ryan about baseball, and Ryan had asked if Will would like to come to one of his games, which Will of course said he definitely wanted to do.

Since tonight was the next scheduled game, Will had showed up, just as he said he would. And the third base coach had come up sick, so Will had gamely offered to pitch in and help.

Jane had to work at the day-care center, so she hadn’t been there, but they’d met at the house for pizza afterward, and Ryan had given her practically an inning by inning recap. He had a definite case of hero worship. Apparently Will was an aggressive third base coach, so he’d pushed a couple of the kids to run like hell for home on a couple doubles, resulting in them winning the game by two runs against a pretty powerhouse team.

“You should have seen it, Mom. I thought Coach was going to explode. But Will was right. He had seen Henry and Brandon run, so he knew they were fast and they could sprint for home and beat the throws. It was awesome. He made the right calls.”

Jane looked to Will. “And you didn’t get in trouble with the coach?”

Will gave her a look, one of those supremely confident masculine ones that curled her toes. “Please. I was in charge of third base. I knew what I was doing. No way would I have waved them on if I wasn’t sure they were going to be safe.”

“See, Mom?” Ryan said.

“I do see. Well done, Will. And I’m glad the team won.”

After pizza, Will helped Ryan with his geography homework while Jane worked with Tabitha on her spelling. It felt like a family. Epically scary, but solidly comfortable at the same time.

She didn’t quite know what to make of that.

She gave Tabitha a bath and got the kids settled for bed, then came out to hang out with Will. They watched a movie for a while.

“I hear Ryan wants to go to a camp next summer.”

She paused the movie and turned to him. “Where did you hear that?

“From Ryan.”

“Oh. Yes, there’s a camp he wants to go to, but it’s too expensive, so I had to tell him no.”

“He told me that, too.” Will half turned on the sofa to face her. “The thing is, I was wondering if you’d let me pay for it.”

“No.”

He arched a brow. “Why not?”

“Because…just no. Thank you, but no.”

“Jane. I want to do it for him. It’s a great camp. I went there when I was a kid. They have awesome activities like archery and canoeing and backpacking. It’s good physical exercise and a chance to learn to work as a team. They have a great counselor-to-kid ratio, and it’s reputable.”

She didn’t want to have this conversation about the camp—again—and especially not with Will. “I don’t have a problem with the camp, I just can’t afford to send Ryan there. Maybe someday, but not now.”

He let the topic fall off—for about five minutes, before turning to her again. “Is there some problem with me wanting to help out?”

She sighed. “Yes. I’m the parent. You’re not. I don’t need or want your charity.”

“Ouch. It wasn’t charity. It was a gift.”

She knew she wouldn’t be able to explain this right, but she had to try. “Look, Will. I appreciate it, but my kids need to learn to live within the means I can provide them without outside help. I’m the parent and I need to give them what I can afford to give them. And if I can’t afford to provide them something, then they have to learn to go without. It’s not like basic food or clothing or shelter. This is a luxury item.”

“I get that, I really do, Jane. But I have the money and I kind of thought I was part of your life. Part of their lives. Why won’t you let me do this for Ryan?”

“Because you’re not his father. And you’re not a part of his life.”

The words had fallen out of her mouth before she’d thought about what she’d said. And now she couldn’t take them back.

Will looked stricken.

“Will. That’s not what I meant. Let me explain.”

“It’s okay.” He stood.

“It’s not okay. Let’s talk about this.”

“No, really. I understand. I’m gonna go.”

She stood and followed him to the door. “Please don’t leave.”

He turned to her. “I appreciate and respect your independence, Jane. But at some point you’re going to have to open up and let someone in, and that means sharing your life with the kids. And that means letting someone help, even financially. I know that’s a sore spot for you, but—” He shrugged. “Whatever.”

He walked out and she stood at the door, watching him as he got into his car and left.

She didn’t know what to say. She was right to turn him down.

Wasn’t she?

* * *

“So you told him no?”

“I did.”

“Why?” Chelsea asked as they ate lunch in the teacher’s lunchroom.

“Because I need to provide for my children. And I’d already told Ryan that he couldn’t go.”

“Well, that was before.”

“Before what?”

“Before you started seeing Will. You two are getting kind of serious, aren’t you?”

Jane shrugged. “I don’t know.”

Chelsea rolled her eyes. “Come on, Jane. You’re together almost every night. He does things not only with you but with you and the kids. It’s obvious to everyone in town that you two are a couple, and that he loves your children. If he wants to help you send Ryan to that summer camp, what’s the problem?”

She lifted her chin. “I want to be able to send Ryan to summer camp. I want to do those things for my kids. I don’t want to depend on some guy to help me out.”

Chelsea cocked her head to the side. “Some guy? Is that what Will is to you?”

“Come on, Chelse. You know what I meant.”

“Yeah. I know exactly what you meant. Will’s just some dude you’re screwing around with to get your rocks off, and you want to be alone and independent the rest of your life.”

“You don’t understand.” She picked up a carrot, then set it down again, her appetite gone.

“I do understand,” Chelsea said. “I really do. You want to be able to give your kids everything you and Vic could do for them. But guess what? You’re a one-person income now, so you can’t and probably won’t be able to until you’re a two-person income again. With Will in the picture, you can do some things for the kids you couldn’t do before. So if Will offers to help out with some things financially, that’s a bad thing?”

“No. But what if things don’t work out with me and Will? Then what does that do to my kids? They become dependent on him—and his income—just like they depended on Vic. I’m an adult. I can handle the heartbreak, but I won’t have their hearts broken all over again.”

Chelsea nodded. “I appreciate your fear. But you can’t lock your kids away and shelter them from hurt the rest of their lives. Nor can you lock yourself away in order to protect them. You have to allow yourself to live again, Jane. Even if it means risking you—and them—and the chance you could all be hurt again.”

She stared at her carrots. “I’m not sure I can take that chance.”

“Then you’re doomed to be alone the rest of your life. I hope you think that’s worth it.”

She pinned Chelsea with a look. “That was harsh, Chelse.”

“No, Jane. That was the truth.”

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Will thought a lot about what Jane had said the other night.

He didn’t like it, but they were her kids and she had the right to make those decisions. Even if he didn’t agree with all of them.

The discussion about the camp had come up in conversation with Ryan. Will had told him he’d gone to the camp when he was a kid. Ryan had been so excited about the camp, and Will thought it was something he could do to help.

It was simple. He had plenty of money. Hell, who did he have to spend his money on?

Obviously Jane didn’t see it as simply as he did. Sometimes she was just damned unreasonable about things.

But, again, the kids were hers and so were the decisions. And he just needed to butt out.

He called her the next day. She answered, tentative with him. He hated that.

“I’m sorry for walking out on you,” he said.

“I’m sorry for what I said.”

“You had a right to say it. You’re Ryan and Tabitha’s mother, and you get to call the shots where they’re concerned. I shoved my way in and made suggestions, and I had no right to do that.”

She went quiet for a few seconds. “It’s okay to suggest. I appreciate the suggestions. I just won’t always say yes.”

“Okay. I can live with that.”

“Thank you for always being so understanding. Especially when I’m not always so reasonable.”