Nothing doused an erection like a sick kid. Roger hated that Makayla was sick again. He saw the fear and concern on Nicole’s face, but also the desire. He kissed her once, quickly, and said, “I’ll wait here. You go check on her.”

Nicole nodded once, her lips pressing into a thin line and her shoulders drooping with exhaustion. He hated that she was so upset, but he got it. If Makayla was his kid he would be worried to. He was worried. But he knew it wasn’t his place to help Makayla. He’d be damned if he didn’t help Nicole though.

She vanished up the stairs, running up them two at a time. Roger heard water running and soft voices. After a little while the sounds ceased. He didn’t know what was going on, but he wasn’t going to go check, and he sure as hell wasn’t going to leave.

Roger didn’t know how long he sat there. He flipped channels and found a movie then fell asleep. He woke as Nicole walked back down the stairs, her footsteps alerting him. “You’re still here?” she asked, sounding surprised and confused.

Roger nodded. “I told you I’d wait here. How is she?”

Nicole shrugged and sunk onto the couch next to him. “I think the worst is over. She wanted some water and asked for her humidifier. It took her a little while to fall back to sleep and I think I passed out with her. I’m sorry about tonight.”

Roger shook his head. “Nothing to be sorry about. I had fun. Want to watch the rest of the movie?”

He wasn’t ready to leave and he hoped to get her in his arms again. She was too tired for anything else, but just being close to her was enough for him. When she nodded and rested her head against his arm, he grinned. He lifted his arm and inhaled deep when she curled up under his arm, her head on his chest. Within minutes she was asleep.

Roger woke up a while later. Nicole was snoring softly against him. All was right in his world. He pulled the blanket from the back of the couch over them and settled back in. It may not have been what he expected for a first date, but he couldn’t deny it was one of the best ones he ever had. One day he’d have to buy Makayla something special for running into him at the store. Without her help, he never would have met Nicole.

The End

Nicole was amazed how seamlessly she and Roger worked to get everything done. Makayla loved her chicken soup and even felt well enough to have a small bowl of ice cream after. When they were done with dinner, Roger cleaned up the kitchen while Nicole gave Makayla a bath and got her settled for bed. She sat with her for a little while until her daughter fell asleep, then went back downstairs to find Roger.

He was sitting on the couch, watching Makayla’s show.

“You don’t have to watch this, you know,” Nicole teased.

Roger turned to her with a grin. “I watch a lot of show like this, actually. It’s good research and they’re entertaining. Kids have a shorter attention span than adults so there’s more activity in a children’s show. Plus, the shows aren’t full of innuendo or anything salacious.”

“Salacious? I happen to like salacious,” Nicole teased, sitting next to him on the couch.

“Oh, I love salacious, but I prefer it in real life, not on my television.” His voice dropped lowered, sending delicious tingles up and down her spine. She wanted to climb inside him and have him talk, that shiver filling her.

“I think we could arrange for a little of that right now, unless you need to get home.”

“Nope,” he said with a pop.

Roger let her go to him again. He rested one hand on her hip and the other held her cheek, but he didn’t rush her or force her. Nicole wanted to destroy his control as much as she wanted him to hold on to it. She had to admit to herself though, she enjoyed being in control.

Without any hesitation on her part, Nicole pressed her lips to his. He angled his head down so he could kiss her thoroughly and she nearly hummed with approval. His tongue teased every corner of her mouth, making her groan. She wanted him to touch her, and thought she might come apart if he didn’t.

Knowing he wouldn’t make the first move, Nicole sat up and crawled onto his lap. She straddled him, his thighs nestled between hers, exposing her core to his erection. His hands went to her ass and dragged her tight against him, drawing out a moan.

“Jesus, Nicole, you’re making me crazy,” he growled as he tore his lips from hers. He pressed them to her neck and trailed his tongue down to the edge of her t-shirt. She wished she’d made more of an effort to dress up for him, but was thrilled to find he didn’t seem to care what she was wearing.

“The feeling is mutual,” she answered, dragging his mouth back to hers. She kissed him hard, the bite of his teeth against her lips turning her on even more. She needed more from him though.

Nicole grabbed one of his hands from her ass and pressed it to her breast. He growled and brushed his thumb over her erect nipple. His other hand joined in the fun when Nicole heard, “Mommy!”

Roger’s head spun. She kissed him. She actually fucking kissed him.

The second their lips touched he couldn’t stop himself from pulling her body flush against his. Little Roge sprung to life between them and he nearly burst when she rubbed herself against him.

She just might kill him.

Her lips were soft and eager against his. She kissed him tentatively at first, but it didn’t take long for her tongue to reach out to him. He was more than happy to let her in to taste and tease and tempt him. And herself, he hoped.

It was unusual for Roger to let a woman lead a kiss. With Nicole, he knew it needed to happen at her pace. He wanted to kiss her as much as he wanted to breathe, but he meant it when he said he needed her to want it too. That didn’t change just because she pressed her lips or her body to his. She was in control. They were in her house. It was her sick daughter on the couch in the other room.

Shit! Makayla!

Roger gently pulled back from Nicole, hating that he had to. She gazed up at him with heavy eyes full of lust and desire. Oh, how he wanted to dive right back into her and finish what she’d started. But he didn’t go there for that. He went to help her, not kiss her senseless.

“Makayla,” he ground out, unable to form any additional coherent thoughts, let alone words.

He watched as Nicole’s eyes cleared. She shook her head and slowly stepped back from him. Then dropped her head into her hands. “I’m the worst mother ever.”

Roger stepped forward and pulled her back into his arms. She resisted again, but he didn’t release her. He waited until she looked up at him. “Taking a minute for yourself does not make you a bad mother.”

“Forgetting about my child does,” she said angrily.

Roger shook his head. “Not even close. You didn’t forget about her. You know she’s safe. You know exactly where she is. I’m guessing you’ve been thinking of nothing but her since she was born, and even more since she got sick last night. You need to give yourself a break. You’re not doing anything wrong here.”

Nicole took a deep breath and held it for a few seconds before letting it out. Roger could see her features relax with that simple gesture. “You’re right. It doesn’t feel natural to not have her in the front of my mind, but my friends have been telling me for years that having a life is going to make me a better mother, not a worse one.”

“I think your friends are right. I also think we need to ask one of them to watch her one of these days so we can continue what we just started without having to worry about Makayla walking in.”

“I think that’s a great idea. But for now, we should probably feed her. And put away the ice cream.”

Nicole didn’t know what to say or what to think. He kept her on her toes, but she wasn’t sure if she loved that or hated it. He brought her groceries and dinner for her and her sick kid. What sort of man did that?

And what did she do to thank him? She cried all over him! What was wrong with her.

“Makayla was sick last night and we were up all night. I don’t sleep well when she’s sick. Today hasn’t been much better.”

“Why didn’t you call me earlier? I would have come whenever you called.”

Nicole laughed mirthlessly. “I didn’t even want you to come when you did call. I couldn’t have called earlier.”

Roger cupped her chin in his big hand. Nicole didn’t know if it was her exhaustion, her lack of attention from men, or if it was just Roger, but all of a sudden she wanted to sink into him. Let him kiss her and take care of them. She’d never felt that way about a man before.

“I’m trying really hard not to kiss you right now, but the way you’re looking at me is making that incredibly difficult, Nicole.”

“Why don’t you want to kiss me?” she asked, suddenly feeling as though she read their whole situation wrong. She tried to pull from his grasp, but he stepped closer and slid his hand across her chin to rest along her jaw.

“I do want to kiss you, Nicole. Badly. But I want you to want me to kiss you. I would never force myself on you, and you just admitted you didn’t want me here.”

“I’m glad you’re here,” she confessed, watching his eyes widen and his eyebrows shoot into his hair with her words. “And I want you to kiss me.”

Roger didn’t say anything, just stepped closer. He tipped her face up to his. His other hand slipped around her waist, holding her to him loosely enough that she could move away easily. He was giving her a chance to change her mind. He wasn’t taking what he wanted from her. A part of her wished he would so she didn’t have to think, but she wanted him that much more for making sure it was her choice.

He lowered down toward her, his lips getting closer with every breath she breathed. She wanted him to kiss her so badly she was throbbing everywhere, but he still waited. Watching her. His thumb teased her skin, gently caressing her cheek. She heard his breathing change to shallow, quick breaths. Yet he still held back.

Nicole thought she was going to explode if he didn’t kiss her soon. Her hands traveled from where they hung limply at her sides up his chest and around his neck. ‘Screw it,’ she thought to herself, and she pulled his lips down to hers.

Roger picked up chicken soup for Makayla and sandwiches for him and Nicole. He also bought some ice cream for when Makayla was feeling better and a few staples that he was sure they would need since he assumed they hadn’t been to the store that day.

When he pulled into her driveway, Roger breathed a sigh of relief. He was there. At her house. She’d given him her address and he was going to spend the evening there.

Assuming she let him in the door.

Loaded with bags, Roger walked to her door and rang the bell. He heard footsteps and voices inside and waited.

When Nicole opened the door he was struck again with how beautiful she was. Her hair was tied up in a messy bun with some strands falling over her shoulders. Her eyes had dark circles under them, telling him Makayla had been sick the night before. She wasn’t wearing any make-up, but she was stunning.

Damn, he wanted to kiss her.

“Wow, what did you bring?” she asked with a grin when she glanced at the bags in his hands.

Roger smiled back. “I figured you ladies could use some extra supplies so you didn’t have to run out with her sick. How is Makayla feeling?”

Nicole looked away again. Roger saw a couch from where he stood at the front door. The TV was on with a bunch of kids on the screen. He didn’t know the show well since it was a little older than his usual readers watched, but it was one he’d seen before. Roger was adamant about keeping up with the trends and what his fans would like to read about.

“She’s doing okay,” Nicole finally said. “Come in so you can put all that stuff down. Can I help you with anything?”

Roger breathed a sigh of relief that she was actually letting him into the house. He smiled to himself as he stepped inside. With his sneakers toed off, Roger shook his head. “If I hand anything over I’m afraid I’ll drop it all. Just point me to the kitchen.”

Nicole laughed and pointed down the hallway in front of them. “Straight back.”

Roger headed into her domain, hoping she wouldn’t throw him right back out once he’d delivered his loot. Or even once they’d eaten. He took in the pictures lining the hall as he walked to the kitchen. Makayla grew up before his eyes, from a pudgy, adorable baby, to the little girl who’d run into him in the store. There were a few other decorations on the wall, but the only pictures were of Makayla, not Nicole and not a father.

Roger lifted the bags onto the counter in the kitchen. Nicole was right behind him, helping him untangle his hands from the handles of the bags. When he was finally free they started unloading everything. “You really didn’t have to do this.”

“I wanted to help. Besides, it’s no big deal. Having a sick kid can’t possibly be any fun for anyone.”

Nicole shook her head and tears filled her eyes. Something deep inside cracked and Roger didn’t hesitate to pull her into his arms. She tensed for a minute, then slowly relaxed into his embrace. He held her as she trembled against him, stroking her hair and keeping her close. She smelled amazing, a light floral scent mixed with what he was sure was all Nicole. He forced his body not to react.

Nicole finally pulled back and wiped her eyes. “I’m sorry. I didn’t get much sleep. I shouldn’t have done that.”

“Yes, you should have. Don’t apologize, Nicole, please.”

“102. We’re not going anywhere, Makayla. Sorry.”

Nicole picked up her phone to call Roger. She was almost sorry to do it, but she couldn’t take Makayla out when she was so sick.

“Mom, you can’t. I’ll stay home. You go.”

Nicole smiled at her daughter. “You’re too young. I can’t leave you home alone. Even if you weren’t too young, I wouldn’t leave you alone to go out on a date when you’re sick.”

“But I really like him, Mom. He’s the only one I ran into that you talked to.”

“That you ran into? What are you talking about?” Nicole asked, suddenly suspicious.

“Oh, um, I just meant I’m really clumsy and kept running into people at the grocery store. You know?”

Something was fishy with her story. Nicole could tell. “Did you run into all those men on purpose?” Makayla shook her head, but her cheeks turned pink, and not from the fever. “Hmm, so it’s just a coincidence you never ran into an old woman or a man who wasn’t attractive?”

“But you like men who look like them. I saw them on your computer.”

“Excuse me?” Nicole asked, wondering what her daughter had seen. Time to update the parental controls.

“When I turned on your computer and went to the games website another page came up. It said ‘Vision Board – Husband’ at the top. I know husband is what Megan’s mommy has so I figured it meant you wanted one too. I was trying to help.”

Nicole sighed and shook her head. She pulled Makayla in for a hug to stop her lip from trembling. Her poor girl had been trying to find her a husband by plowing down unsuspecting men in the grocery store. And she’d snagged the most popular children’s author around.

“You didn’t have to do that, M. I would have found a husband all on my own.”

“But you didn’t, Mommy. You always said you had something going on with me. You never talked to any of them.”

Nicole took a deep breath. How did you explain dating and attraction to someone who thought Barbie and Ken were supposed to be because they both had blonde hair and were the same size? “I’m cautious-”

“But you like Roger. Don’t call him. I’m fine. See?” She pushed out of bed then wobbled when she stood and sat right back down. “That was just because I got up too fast. That’s what you always say.”

Nicole smiled at her and brushed her hand over Makayla’s face. “We’ll go out another time. But I can’t leave you tonight.”

Makayla protested again but Nicole picked up the phone and called Roger anyway. “Hello?”

“Hi Roger, this is Nicole.”

“Hey. Don’t worry, I’m planning to meet you. I won’t come to your house.”

She grinned. “Thanks, but um, that’s not why I’m calling. I’m sorry to do this at the last minute, but Makayla is sick and we just can’t come tonight.”

Roger was silent for a beat then said, “Why don’t I bring dinner to you. I’ll pick up whatever you guys want and grab a few movies and we can have a night in. That is, if you’re willing to tell me exactly where you live instead of just the neighborhood.”

Nicole laughed and glanced down at Makayla. Her eyes were closed and she was curled up on her side. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea. I don’t want you to get sick.”

“Are you sure that’s all it is?”

He hit the nail on the head. Nicole knew it. She was sure he knew it, too. “Okay fine. I don’t ever invite men to my house. I’m a single woman with a young daughter living alone. I’m anxious to have someone over.”

“I understand. How about I call and order food to be delivered and you can call them back and give them your address?”

Nicole shook her head. “I’m being ridiculous. You’re being nice. Just come here. I’ll work on getting over my anxieties before you get here.”

“Okay. And Nicole?”

“Hmm?”

“Thank you for trusting me.”