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  She turned to find his mouth with hers, and he dipped his tongue between her lips, teasing at first, then deeper.

  She broke the kiss, pressing her hands to his chest. “We have to—I’m sorry, Leo. I can’t.”

  Disappointment rolled through him. He wasn’t planning to make love to her, but he was reluctant to release her just yet, to surrender the sensation of her body against his, making his heart race just as finding the right story did. But her hands were insistent and he recognized the tremor of nerves than ran through her. He released her and watched her straighten her clothes, not looking at him. Her earlier tension had returned.

  He didn’t like seeing her like this. “Sorry,” he said quietly. “Got a little carried away.”

  She turned to smile brightly, but the expression was forced. “I did too. It’s just—been a long day and it’s another long day tomorrow and I really don’t want to make love in the front seat of an SUV.” All of this was said on a breath.

  He huffed out a laugh. “No. I need a proper bed to do it right. Unlikely with both of us living at home.”

  For a moment she said nothing, and he wondered if he presumed too much, that making love was a foregone conclusion. A thought struck him, hard enough to knock the breath from him. She was a reverend’s daughter, a reverend’s sister who lived at home. Was she a virgin? She couldn’t be, could she? Not and kiss like that.

  Even if she wasn’t, she couldn’t have a lot of experience, had probably never slept in a man’s arms. Jesus, that was a big responsibility on him.

  Whoa, wait a minute. Yes, she was beautiful and he wanted her, but how had he gotten from there to figuring out how to spend the night with her? That would take some serious manipulation. And if she was as innocent as he suspected, virgin or not, she’d have expectations. He couldn’t deal with that just now. He wasn’t staying.

  “I’ll get you home,” he murmured, and put the car in gear.

  When he pulled in front of her house, she straightened her clothes one last time and ran up the sidewalk without another look back.

  Chapter Seven

  Trinity smoothed the poodle skirt against her hips and twirled, watching her reflection in the mirror. She hoped others would be dressing up for the first Friday Movie Night as well. She had already made a big enough fool of herself in front of the town.

  Her stomach was in knots at the thought of seeing Leo for the first time since their kissing session. She’d chickened out at school and hid in her office the past two days when he picked up Max. His kiss, his touch, and then his comment about a proper bed had sent her into a minor panic. She hadn’t been with a man since college, and that had ended so disastrously she’d run home in disgrace. If she made love with Leo, she was going to have to tell him about her child.

  The one she’d given up for adoption.

  She never talked to anyone about it, not even Lily. It was the hardest thing she’d ever done in her life, and she just wanted to bury it. It had happened in another life, to someone so different than she’d become. She wished her parents could see that, at least.

  But she wouldn’t think about it anymore tonight. She’d been looking forward to tonight for weeks, and she was going to have fun.

  She trotted down the stairs, where her family was gathered. They’d decided not to attend. Her father disapproved of the choice of Grease as their first movie, saying it wasn’t wholesome. Regardless, she was going, earning another mark against her.

  She decided to walk down to the lakefront, and already heard the pulse of 50s music. When she turned the corner, she saw many townspeople had turned out. Several blankets were spread on the lawn in front of Lily’s launch place. A few enterprising souls selling popcorn and snow cones. But no one was in costume.

  Trinity caught Lily’s arm as she stood in line for corn dogs. Lily wore a pink denim jacket and rolled-up jeans, and her ponytail—her go-to hairstyle—had a scarf tied around it. “What’s this?” Trinity demanded.

  “I’m a Pink Lady.” Lily smiled as she took in Trinity’s costume. “You look great.”

  “No one else is dressed up.”

  Lily waved a dismissive hand. “No big deal. Have fun with it. It’s our first time. People will get into the spirit. Look.”

  Trinity followed her gaze to see two gentlemen in leather jackets and slicked back hair sauntering over.

  “What’s happenin’, hot stuff?” Max asked.

  Trinity cracked up at the boy’s smirk. “Wrong movie, but nice try.” She bent to brush a kiss over his cheek, then straightened to face his father. “You two look great. Thank you.”

  “Yeah, well, I thought we’d go for the spirit of the thing.” Leo glanced around. “Nice turnout. I didn’t expect concessions.”

  “Me, either. Maybe next time we should set up one, to help pay for the projector.”

  “I told you not to worry about that. I found a nice spot over there by that tree, and Mom packed a picnic.” He pointed to a blanket and picnic basket, situated with a great view of the screen. “I did a trial run with the projector earlier, so hopefully everything goes smoothly.”

  “Thank you.” She smiled and wished she could kiss him, but wouldn’t in front of Max and Lily. He looked adorable with his thick dark hair slicked back, the collar of his jacket turned up, the snug white T-shirt across his firm chest beneath. He’d done this for her, because she’d asked him to. When had a man ever made an effort for her? Why couldn’t she stop herself from falling in love? He’d been very clear that their time together was limited.

  “Want a corn dog?” he asked.

  She shook her head.

  “Max and I are going to get one. We’ll meet you, okay?”

  She was unpacking the picnic basket—a bag of chips and three sandwiches, two on Kaiser rolls and one on wheat bread, a pack of brownies and bottled water—when the movie started. People around her applauded as the opening credits rolled, and Max and Leo returned to the blanket with corn dogs and popcorn.

  “It’s a cartoon?” Max asked in disbelief.

  “Just the beginning,” Trinity laughed.

  Watching Grease with a nine year old was a different experience. She hoped most of the sexual innuendo went over his head. She twisted to look at Leo. “I don’t remember this movie being quite so racy.” No wonder her father had disapproved.

  Leo shrugged. “We didn’t get it, maybe.”

  “Are you humming?” she asked.

  He winked. “I know the words.”

  “Then sing.” She’d heard some of their neighbors singing along with the familiar songs.

  “Not likely.”

  “What kind of wagon?” Max turned around to ask.

  “Cushy,” Leo said without missing a beat.

  Max frowned. “That doesn’t make sense.”

  “It’s Fifties slang,” Leo countered.

  “Oh. Weird.” Max turned back to the movie and imitated the motions of the dancers during “Greased Lightning” while Trinity choked on her laughter.

  Leo grinned. “Warm enough?” he asked.

  She looked into his smiling eyes and wanted to kiss him, but she had no idea how Max would react to such a thing. “I’m good.”

  “You look adorable.”

  “You too.” Her face heated under his admiring gaze, and she lifted her hand to hover over his hair. “What did you put in there?”

  “Practically a whole bottle of gel. It’s crunchy, see?” He pressed her hand to his head and the stiff hair did indeed crunch.

  “Sexy,” she laughed.

  “Hey, you wanted people to dress up. I didn’t want to actually put pomade in my hair. No telling what it would take to get it out.”

  “I appreciate your effort,” she said, tilting her face up. Maybe he’d take the initiative. But no, he sent a glance toward his son and turned back to the movie.

  But he was humming.

  ***

  “Need a ride home?” Leo hefted a sleeping Max onto his shoulder—he w
ouldn’t be able to do that much longer—as Trinity folded the blanket on top of the repacked picnic basket.

  She smiled. “It’s only a couple of blocks.”

  “So no difficulty for me to drop you off.”

  She dipped her head, but a shiver ran through her before she looked at him and smiled. “Okay.”

  “You got that?” He nodded toward the basket.

  “It’s empty, Leo. Remember all the trips to the Landing’s bathroom?” She gestured to Max’s back.

  “Right.” He lifted the boy higher on his shoulder. “Let’s go.”

  He got the boy into the SUV that he’d parked in Lily’s lot and buckled him in while Trinity put the basket in on the other side. She was in the passenger seat before he could come around to hand her in, not allowing him the opportunity to touch her. God, he wanted to touch her. His hands practically shook with the need.

  Less than five minutes later, they were in front of her house, and that was including time in traffic with others leaving the same area at the same time. Damned small towns. At least she was happier tonight than she’d been the night of the town hall meeting.

  He put the truck in park and killed the engine. “Did I mention you look adorable tonight?”

  She glanced in the back seat at his sleeping son. “You—appreciated my costume.”

  “So next week’s movie is Sixteen Candles—you going to wear a mini skirt?”

  She laughed. “I haven’t worn a mini skirt in years.”

  He leaned over and put his hand on her knee, beneath the hem of her skirt. She drew in a sharp breath, and her pupils grew huge as she looked at him. He rubbed his thumb across the top of her knee, that smooth skin, and captured her mouth with his.

  He’d wanted to do that all night, taste her, feel her. She wrapped her arms around him, giggling when her fingers tangled in his crunchy hair. Giggling. Christ. He had to love a woman who could laugh while he was making love with her.

  Had to love…

  Too soon to love. Right now he was happy just to feel, feel her mouth open beneath his, the warmth of her breath, the taste of strawberries on her lips as her tongue slid along his. He pulled her closer along the seat, wanting her body pressed against his, and she whispered his name against his mouth.

  The SUV turned bright suddenly, and Leo eased back to see the front porch light had been switched on, as had the lights down the walk. He thought he saw Trinity’s father’s shadow in the doorway.

  “A signal?” He nodded toward the house.

  She closed her eyes in resignation. “I suppose.”

  A sound from the back seat drew his attention and he straightened, checking over his shoulder to see Max’s eyes still closed. But he knew the kid wasn’t asleep. Hell. Did the kid know he’d been kissing Trinity?

  “Should I walk you to the door?”

  “Probably not.” She smoothed her hands over her hair and flipped her ponytail. “I really need to get my own place.” She smiled. “Thanks for the evening. For dressing up, for the picnic. For the movie.”

  “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “Maybe. Good night, Leo.” She pressed one last quick kiss to his mouth and slipped out of the SUV.

  He watched her walk up the sidewalk, skirt swaying, saw the door open before she got there. He waved at her father before she stepped through the door, but the other man didn’t return the gesture. Instead the light went off, the door closed with a sense of finality.

  ***

  “Miss Madison, we have a problem.” The principal, Mrs. Nacimiento, stepped into Trinity’s office and closed the door.

  “What is it?” Trinity closed her laptop.

  Mrs. Nacimiento inclined her head toward the hall. “I have a student in my office I’d like you to speak with.”

  “What student?”

  “Max Erickson.” The older woman angled her chin up. “He said since you and his father are involved, he doesn’t have to follow school rules.”

  “He said what?” Trinity pushed to her feet. “Let me talk to him.”

  “Is it true?”

  Trinity’s stomach tightened in anxiety. She had to be honest, even if her job was on shaky ground. “We’ve been—seeing each other. Nothing serious. More of a flirtation.”

  Mrs. Nacimiento shook her head, her brow furrowed. “Trinity, what are you thinking? He’s a parent. You serve his child.”

  “We’re just—” She couldn’t defend it. She was in love with Leo. She’d known it would be a bad idea, getting involved with him, but she hadn’t expected Max to use it to his advantage. “Let me talk to Max.”

  “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”

  “He has to know he can’t manipulate me,” Trinity said. That he’d tried broke her heart.

  She wished she had more time to reason out what she was going to say. She smoothed her hands on her skirt and followed Mrs. Nacimiento next door into the principal’s office. Max lounged in one of the naugahyde chairs as if he was sitting on throne.

  Mrs. Nacimiento looked from Trinity to the boy, then stepped out, leaving Trinity alone with Max. Trinity leaned on the desk facing the boy, who grinned—his father’s grin, damn it.

  “I heard you told Mrs. Nacimiento that you don’t have to do what anyone says anymore because your dad and I are friends.”

  Max lifted a casual shoulder, another Leo mannerism. “I saw you kissing. I figured you could get me out of trouble.”

  “Why would I do that?”

  “To make my dad happy.”

  “You think it will make your dad happy that you’re disobeying and getting away with it? I don’t think so. I think he’d be surprised to find out you’re trying to use me to get your way. I think he’d be sad and upset.”

  “But you can make him understand.”

  “Understand what, exactly?”

  Max lowered his gaze to his jeans and rubbed his palms up and down his thighs. “Why I’m always in trouble.”

  “He understands. He knows how you feel. That’s why he came back.”

  “Then why did he go in the first place?” For the first time his demeanor changed, and he looked like a vulnerable little boy.

  “I don’t know, Max.” They’d never talked about it, about Liv, about what it had been like to lose her. That was why she could say she and Leo weren’t involved. They’d kissed, but had never discussed serious things, like his past, his job, their future. He’d be gone by summer. “I think maybe he was hurting. Maybe he didn’t know how to help you until he went away. I don’t know. I know he’s here now and you’re the most important thing in his life.”

  Max’s expression shifted back to cynical. “He wants me to be like him.”

  “Let me tell you a little secret.” She crouched to look into his eyes. “All parents want that for their kids. Some are better at seeing when their kids aren’t the same than others. I think your dad would listen if you told him. But I also get the feeling you like playing baseball.”

  “My dad’s pretty good.” Max looked at his hands. “I’d like to be like that.”

  “I think he would love to teach you. He loves playing ball with you. I mean, would you have ever thought your dad would be coaching?” She smiled.

  Max smiled, too.

  “But you have to do your part. You have to be respectful, and you have to behave, and you can’t use your father’s friendship with me to keep from owning your actions.”

  Max shifted. “Are you going to tell my father?”

  “Not about this.” But she and Leo definitely needed to have a conversation about their relationship and its possible impact on Max. “You need to apologize to Mrs. Boller and Mrs. Nacimiento, all right? And keep your nose clean for the rest of the school year.”

  Once Max had gone back to class, she prepared herself to face her own music.

  ***

  Leo trotted up the steps to Trinity’s house and rang the doorbell twice in his impatience. Her parents would love that, he was sure. Some day he
needed to find out why she still lived at home, with all the restrictions placed on her, but today he was too anxious to tell her the news. He rang again, and heard footsteps, then the door opened and Trinity stood there. He stepped back for a moment just to appreciate her. She’d changed into a T-shirt and jeans after school, and it looked like maybe she’d been cooking.

  “Come on. We’re going to Quinn’s.”

  “I—can’t.” She glanced over her shoulder into the house.

  “You’ve got to. You want me to ask permission?”

  She scowled. “Wait here.” She ducked into the house, closing the door behind her.

  He strained to listen, but didn’t hear anything other than the murmur of women’s voices. Trinity returned a few moments later, looking pale, her lips drawn as she buckled into the passenger seat. Since he knew what the trouble was, he didn’t embarrass her by asking.

  She turned to look at him. “What’s the big deal?”

  “Going to tell all of you together. Lily should be at Quinn’s, right?”

  “Why would tonight be any different?”

  Okay, this wasn’t going the way he imagined at all from the time he got his news. “I’m sorry I caused trouble with your folks.”

  She waved a hand dismissively. “Just something else in a long day.”

  “Sorry. You looked stressed when I saw you at school. I didn’t have a chance to talk to you.”

  “It’s fine.”

  He got the feeling it wasn’t. When they got to Quinn’s, she was out of the car before he could come around. Yeah, not how he’d imagined this at all.

  Quinn’s place only had a couple of patrons, less than usual, but Lily wasn’t there. Well, hell.

  “Stay here,” he told them both. “I’ll go get her.”

  But when he got to the landing, he learned she was out on a launch. Who the hell went fishing on a Tuesday night in April, especially when he had news he didn’t want to wait to share? He rolled away from the counter with instructions to the teenager behind it to send Lily to Quinn’s when she got back.