“Thank you again. It sounds like he had a lot of fun.”
Smiling, I nodded. “We both did.”
Benjie flashed around a corner down a hallway and bolted into my legs. “Thank you, Miss Brooke. I hope I get to see you soon.”
Leaning down, I kissed his forehead. “I’m sure we’ll see each other soon.” I just hoped I wouldn’t see his father. With another quick goodbye, I made my way back to my car and climbed in just as my phone started ringing.
Picking it up, I sighed and hit the End button.
Didn’t he realize there was too much at stake for us to go on a date? My heart for one, and the fact I would miss Benjie. I knew this even after a few times with the little guy. All right, maybe I was holding Benjie in front of me as a shield to protect my heart because I was sure Dustin had the power to crush it. Starting the car, I figured Dustin would eventually get bored with asking me, even though I wasn’t sure why he started in the first place. Besides, I was sure he would have many other women to hassle or take out.
Chapter Six
Dustin
Even a few days later, I still couldn’t get the thought of Brooke dating someone out of my head. When Benjie had mentioned it, a damn furnace had lit in my gut, and I knew, I fucking knew, I hated the thought of her with someone else.
That blazing heat doubled when I realized she had more of a chance of finding someone than anyone else I’d been attracted to. And hell, I was attracted to Brooke. I couldn’t deny the attraction and the fact I didn’t only want to be friends.
Usually when discovering a woman I was hooking up with was bisexual, it would turn me the hell on thinking of all the fun we could have between the sheets, if she was open to bringing another woman into the bedroom. Yet it hadn’t with Brooke because I didn’t want to share her with anyone.
The possessiveness had surprised me, and it seemed had gotten me into trouble when I blurted my invitation out, asking Brooke on a date.
She’d refused to take my calls, and the only texts she responded to were ones that were about Benjie. I was suddenly jealous of my own child. Though I couldn’t blame her; my kid was the best.
Me: Benjie’s wondering when he could see you again?
When she hadn’t texted back within five minutes, my mind started rolling with thoughts. Was she on a date? Who was she with? I’m going to kick whoever’s ass she’s with. Is she in the shower? Naked? Of course, she’s naked in the shower. It’s too early to be asleep. Maybe she’s tripped and hurt herself. Should I call? Do I need to send an ambulance? She’s likely to get pissed if I do and nothing is wrong. Why doesn’t she want to date me?
I sounded like a whiny little bitch, but it had been like that since the phone call, and I really couldn’t keep her off my mind. She was there when I went to sleep and when I woke up.
Shit, maybe I needed to see a doctor about my new obsession.
When my phone chimed, I spun back to the coffee table, tripped, and landed on my face. Thank fuck no one was around to see.
Brooke: If you have something to do tomorrow afternoon, I could come watch him then.
Did I have anything to do? No.
Me: Great, I’ll let him know.
Brooke: Did you have something to do?
Me: Say about 4pm? He’ll be home from school by then.
Brooke: 4 is good, but do you have plans?
My plans were to stick around and spend time with her myself.
Me: See you then.
Brooke: DUSTIN, I SWEAR TO GOD IF YOU ASK ME OUT AGAIN, I WILL CHOP YOUR BALLS OFF!
At least she was thinking of my balls.
Me: We haven’t even been on a date and you’re already talking about my balls.
Brooke: I give in.
My heart skipped a beat.
Me: Meaning you’ll go on a date with me?
Brooke: NO. I give in on your stupidity.
Me: It’s a start to our relationship at least.
Brooke: You need help.
Me: Are you offering?
Brooke: I’m not texting anymore.
Me: Because you’re too excited to see me tomorrow?
Me: The silence tells me you are.
Me: It’s okay, darlin’, just one more sleep and my balls can be yours.
Me: Night, Brooke. Looking forward to tomorrow.
Just as I sent that text, my phone rang. My hopes lifted into a flurry of excitement, only it crashed down when I saw Emily’s name on there.
“Hey, Em, you all right?” I may have sounded a little deflated, but my hope had just been burst, damn it.
Her laughter swept through the phone. “Gee, don’t sound so excited to hear from me.”
Smiling, I offered, “Sorry, I thought you were Brooke.”
“Is she still not talking to you?”
“Only in text. But she’s coming here tomorrow to see Benjie.”
“I’m sure you’ll win her over.”
“We’ll see.” Goddamn, I hoped I could.
“What I called for was to see if you mind that I ask Brooke to watch Benjie this weekend? I know you have an away game, but Micky invited me on a weekend away and….”
“You want to go away for a dirty weekend?”
“Well, yes. Is that bad? I shouldn’t, should I? That’s not being a very good mom when it’s my weekend with him. Oh God, now I feel like a terrible mother.”
Chuckling, I stood and headed for the kitchen. I’d have to go to bed soon for my ass-crack-of-dawn workout. “Honey, it’s fine. How many times have I switched things up on you? The answer is heaps. I’m sure Brooke would love to have Benjie. I might even keep him here and have her stay over. I’ll check with her tomorrow. Is that enough notice though?”
“It will be. Thanks for understanding, Dustin.”
“Always. We’ll talk soon.”
“Okay, and good luck with getting Brooke to date you.”
“Thanks.” I had no doubt I would need it.
Opening the front door, I smiled at a glaring Brooke. “Good afternoon, darlin’.” I moved back for her to enter. She must have come directly from work because she was still dressed in pants and a shirt. Items that fitted her curves perfectly. My hands itched to reach out and run over her, but I would probably get a black eye if I did.
She didn’t move into the house. Instead, she crossed her arms over her chest, which pushed up her breasts and caused my dick to throb.
Fuck.
“Where’s Benjie?”
“He’s just getting out of his uniform.” I gestured into the house with a wave of the hand.
She scraped her top teeth over her bottom lip before stepping through, bringing her sweet scent with her.
Brooke made her way down the hall and dropped her bag to the floor. The way the pants clung to her ass made me want to become a poet all of a sudden.
How could I have been so blind to her from the start?
I was a fucking fool, that was how.
“Em rang last night. She’s in a pickle and is hoping you could help out.”
“Oh, how?”
“It’s her weekend again with Benjie, but she’s wanting to go away with her new beau, and since I have an away game, she was wondering if you’re not busy, would you watch Benjie?”
A small soft smile lifted her lips. “Of course I will.”