Chapter Fifty-two

“You’re a really great dad.” Her hand touched his jaw line, both of them leaning in further. “May I kiss you?”

Bram nodded, his heart racing. She was kneeling above him, and her hand caressed his cheek and under his ear. She started to lean in, her eyes closed, and just before she made contact, she peeked at him. “You haven’t closed your eyes.”

“I don’t want to.” Bram could smell coffee on her breath. “I want to see your expression.” He couldn’t help but smile at her confusion.

“Is it better with your eyes open?” She was still so close. What sweet torture was this? Not to mention, he could hear Tyler in the other room and the catty comments he and Gavin had going between them.

Bram shrugged, “It’s all preference. Try it both ways, see what you like most for yourself.” His hands tightened on her waist, forcing himself not to pull her in. He wanted her to be comfortable and if he let her lead, he at least knew he wasn’t racing her toward his own end.

“A two for one deal then? Don’t you think you’re pushing it?” As she ran her fingers through his hair, he relaxed into the couch and closed his eyes.

“Does this make you feel better?” He just wanted that kiss. He wanted her lips pressed against his. He wanted so much more, but that would be enough for now. He could feel her eyes on him. He could practically feel the smile playing over her features as she looked down on him. And he could still hear Tyler. It was driving him nuts.

“It does a bit, actually.” She giggled as he was silently dying inside waiting for her to make a move. A moment later, her soft lips met his. It wasn’t anything more than a peck. But she hovered over him, as if waiting for him to do or say something. His eyes opened, and her cheeks were as red as roses. Her smile gone. This time Izabella tossed her strawberry hair over her shoulder and sat up straight. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what I’m doing.”

Bram staired at her a moment, trying to figure it out himself. “You’ve never kissed anyone before?” He asked.

She blushed, “A guy once tried to corner me in school and kiss me. But… I kicked him.”

“You kicked him?” Bram said in disbelief.

“Yeah.” She said, looking away. “I wasn’t expecting it and didn’t want it. The closest I’ve had was you at the store.” He could tell by the fluctuation of her heart that she meant it.

“Would you prefer I kiss you?” He asked.

“It may make this lot less awkward.” That was all the confirmation he needed. Pulling her into his lap, she yipped. He was happy she didn’t fight him. Though those surprised doe eyes were doing a number on him.

Leaning in, Bram pressed his lips against hers. He let her enjoy that subtle note for a moment. Her eyes were closed. When his tongue licked up the center of her top lip, her eyes flew open. She gasped. He didn’t give her a chance to argue as he invaded her mouth when it opened. When he dipped inside, her eyes opened wider, then closed. Her cheeks were a beautiful red blush. Holding her by the nape of her neck, he kissed her deeply. Wanting to taste all that he could. When he withdrew, his lips worked over hers. She sighed into him, his hand went up to her neck. It was so slim under his large hand he could almost wrap all the way around her. As his fingers caressed the soft skin there, hers curled into his hair.

He moaned as she started to react to him. She grew bolder, letting her tongue dip into his mouth. Izabella’s fluttery, shy, movements had him yearning for better control over himself. Bram wanted to give her the time she needed to enjoy each little step. But his hand roamed lower. Just as he grazed the rise of her breast, a moan escaped her lips. Her back arching just every so slightly.

Izabella’s eyes flew open, and her hand grabbed his wrist. Her face immediately turned tomato red, and she sat up, pulling away. “Oh, my goodness, what are we doing? It’s the middle of the day and Devon is just in the other room.” The way she slid off his lap nearly killed him. He bit into his lip. Did she have any idea what she’d done to him?

“Besides, we have a huge to do list that we need to get working on.” Izabella straightened out her clothing. Just as she did, Devon bounced into the room.

“Hey, Izzy, what are we doing today?” Devon asked, smiling brightly when he noticed his dad on the couch. Izabella looked relieved. Bram caught the way her eyes skittered back to him, and her cheeks flushed. Grabbing a pillow from behind him, he hugged it to his lap. A simple kiss shouldn’t do this to someone. He’d shared millions of kisses in his lifetime, but not a single one had ever been that sweet. He felt like he could kiss her forever. “Can we go to Ronnie’s again for lunch?”

“Three days in a row?” Izabella crossed her arms. “Aren’t you getting tired of going to the same place?”

“No,” Devon ran up, hugging her waist. His blue eyes squinting up at her as he beamed. “I like how happy you are when we’re there.”

“Awe, you are the sweetest.” She got down on her knees, hugging him back.

Bram tossed his pillow, padding to the dinning room table. He took a seat, flipping open his laptop. “Let’s just stop wherever we’re close to while we run our errands. We don’t want to waste any unnecessary time today. We’ve only got two days left to get our plan together and in motion.” She came to stand behind him to look over his shoulder. He clicked the email from the woman running the orphanage, reading through it. She had asked the children where they would all like to go, and they’d chosen the beach. “That okay buddy?”

“Yeah! I love the beach!!”

“With that many kids, we’re going to need more hands to make sure it’s safe. The beach could be dangerous.” Izabella looked at him with surprise as he gave her a sideways glare. When she leaned on the back of his chair, his hand automatically went up. She met him half way, holding his. Both of them smiled when it happened. Devon jumped up and down, running through the kitchen and grabbed a banana.

“Hm. You’re right. Maybe we could send them with volunteers in smaller groups later. What else would be fun then?” He liked the way her fingers inched to the collar of his shirt, gently caressing the hallow under his collar bone without letting go of his hand.

Izabella leaned in, her breasts pushed against his shoulders, and her breath was warm in his ear. “How about an arcade? That large one that does everything else too? Bowling. Games. Laser tag. The kids could run around, scream, and have the time of their lives.”

Bram wasn’t so sure about that. He couldn’t imagine being locked up in the same building as hundreds of screaming children. That was a disaster waiting to happen. Though, he wasn’t sure what they could do to prevent that. “We could do a water park?”

“I just went to a water park dad. I’d rather go to the arcade! Or we could go to the amusement park?” Bram thought that may be better. At least they would be outside. No dark and welcoming corners to turn to.

“What do you think of the amusement park?” He asked, running his fingers up and down her arm.

“It’s more of a travel, but I think it would be best for Devon to decide. It’s your day, after all. We need to finish shopping today too. We’ll need tomorrow to wrap everything.” A loud moan came from his bedroom, and Izabella stood up, turning. “Oh, we should go check on Tyler. I hope he didn’t hurt himself.” She took a step toward the hall, and Bram grabbed her arm, laughing.

“He’s fine. Let him be.”

“Did you just hear that?” She worried her lip between her teeth.

“I did.” Bram couldn’t keep the smile from his face. He should let her walk in on him. It would be hilarious. “Believe me. He’s fine.” Another moan, this one louder. She looked back at him, pointing toward the room. “That is not the sound of a man in pain, Izabella.”

Popping her hands on her hips, she looked at him. “If we don’t at least go knock on the door, we won’t know for sure, will we.”

“I do know for sure. And believe me, you will be far more embarrassed than anyone if you were to open that door.”

“What could he possibly—” She gasped, covering her mouth, “Is he? …” Bram nodded and she covered her face, turning away from the hall. “Does he not realize we’re out here and can hear him?”

Bram was laughing as he pulled her into his arms and brought her head down to his chest. “I’m quite sure he’s thinking of something else right now. We’re the last things on his mind.” Bram couldn’t stop himself from laughing. What an awkward situation to be in. He couldn’t wait until Tyler finally made it out of the room. He was going to give him such a hard time. “Anyway, Devon, do you know what you’d like to do?”

“You would be happier at the amusement park, so I think I’d like to go there.” Bram smiled down at him.

“I would absolutely be more comfortable at the amusement park.” Izabella sat at the table now, her hands covering her ears. If she was this embarrassed and adorable over hearing someone she couldn’t even see having an orgasm, what the hell would she look like when she had her own? Bram physically shook his head, trying to get the image out. “But it is your choice.”

“I want to go to the amusement park. Some of the other kids got to go before their parents died. It sounded like a lot of fun.”

“I’m surprised you haven’t taken him yet.” Izabella looked at him curiously.

Bram sighed, clicking a few buttons on his computer. The printer on the wall in the living room, whirred to life, and he closed his laptop. “I don’t do well in crowds. That’s why I generally avoid them. Honestly, I’ll do whatever you want though, Devon. I can handle a day.” Devon crawled onto his lap hugging him.

“Are you sure?” Devon asked, his blue eyes shining, his mouth full of banana. “I’ve always wanted to go to the arcade too.”

Bram sighed. He’d figured that was where Devon would really want to go. “I’ll call to make sure they’ll be able to accommodate us. Do you know if they serve food there, or if I could get a room for catering?” He looked up at Izabella.

“They serve pizza. But I do believe you can rent rooms too. I can call. Let me go grab my computer and I’ll look through their sight.” Bram chuckled, pushing his across the table.

“Feel free.” Tyler would be pissed if he knew Bram let someone else use his laptop.