Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 56799 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 227(@250wpm)___ 189(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56799 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 227(@250wpm)___ 189(@300wpm)
“Got it,” they chimed together and came in for a group hug.
Watching Noah’s affection toward his girls warmed her heart and that was the moment Fallon knew she was in trouble.
“Are we still going out for dinner?” Dakota asked, her tone hesitant.
Noah frowned and Fallon could see he wasn’t sure which decision was best.
Finally, he groaned and said, “Considering I didn’t plan on cooking, yes. We are.”
“Can you come, Fallon?” Dylan asked.
“We’re going for burgers and they have world-famous milkshakes. Please?” Dakota put her hands together and pleaded with her to come.
Noah ran his fingers through his hair, a gesture she bet he did a lot where the girls were concerned. Once again, they’d caught him off guard, Fallon thought, trying not to laugh.
He shifted on his feet, obviously uncomfortable and unsure how to get out of the invitation.
“Girls, I’m certain your father wants time alone with you,” she said, giving him the opportunity to discuss their wandering tendencies and letting him off the hook.
No need to put him in the position of telling her he didn’t want her to join them. The notion already hurt her feelings but she knew having dinner with this little family was a bad idea.
“Please?” Dakota asked. “Don’t you like hamburgers and milkshakes?”
She glanced at Noah, beseeching him with her eyes to get her out of this mess.
“Do you like burgers and shakes?” he asked instead, all but inviting her instead of taking the out.
She blinked in surprise. “I do but—”
“Then if you’re free for dinner, why don’t you join us?”
She didn’t know what had changed but she found herself nodding. “I guess I’m coming.”
“Yay!” the girls yelled.
Noah stepped closer. “I’m hoping spending time with you will quench their need and not give them a reason to sneak back here. Especially once we tell them about the painting class,” he said softly.
In her ear.
In a grumbly, sexy voice that caused her nipples to harden behind her lightweight camisole. His gaze slid from hers to her shirt and she crossed her arms over her chest… too late. His eyes flared before he banked the arousal she’d seen there. That she was still feeling.
Oh, was she in trouble.
Chapter Three
Noah led the girls and Fallon into a 1950s style diner that claimed to have world-famous milkshakes. Black and white checked tiles covered the floor and the seats were a red and white pleather. A huge wall decal of a 1950s red Corvette covered one turquoise wall. Was it over-the-top retro? Yes, but the girls loved it.
The hostess, a middle-aged woman with teased hair to match the decade theme, greeted them with a welcoming smile. “Hello to my double D’s!” She greeted the twins with a high five. Glancing at Noah, she winked.
Beside him, Fallon snickered, catching the double entendre.
“Hi, Patty!” they chimed in.
“Your usual booth?” she asked.
Noah nodded. “Thanks.”
She glanced at Fallon, curiosity in her gaze since the three came here often and alone. Noah had no intention of explaining. Even he didn’t know what the hell he was doing.
Patty led them to a table in the back near the ’Vette and gestured for them to sit. Dylan and Dakota scrambled into their usual seats, leaving Noah to sit in the cramped booth next to Fallon. Clearly, he hadn’t thought this invitation through. The idea was to get her out of the girls’ systems, not bring her closer to him.
He gestured for her to slide in. “Unless you want me to?”
She shook her head, gathered her long skirt, and sat down so she could scoot inside. Those crinkled skirts seemed to be a favorite style of hers which led to yet another vision of him hiking up the material, sliding down whatever silky underwear was hidden beneath, and tasting her.
“Noah? Are you going to sit?” Fallon’s voice jolted him out of his reverie.
Swallowing back a curse, he slid into the booth and was immediately hit by her sexy perfume, a warm vanilla scent that went straight to his cock. At least now the evidence was covered by the tabletop, he thought, uncomfortable with the entire situation.
“So, girls, what flavor milkshake is the best?” she asked.
“Chocolate!” Dylan exclaimed.
“Strawberry! And Dad likes vanilla.” Dakota licked her lips, obviously ready for her shake.
Fallon let out a light, tinkling laugh. “I’m not sure why I find that amusing, all three of you liking different flavors, but I do.”
“What’s your favorite flavor, Fallon?”
She clasped her hands on the table and leaned forward, utterly engrossed in conversation with his girls. “I’m a vanilla girl, myself,” she said.
“Just like you, Dad!” Dylan said.
Noah groaned inwardly, because there was nothing vanilla when it came to his thoughts about Fallon.
“What’s your mom’s favorite?” she asked.
“Strawberry like me.” Dakota sounded proud of that fact.
As much as he respected Charlie’s need to follow her dreams, Noah hated what her absence did to his kids. They missed her so much sometimes it gutted him.