Stand-In Mom

His lips brushed hers. “I’d like that. Very much.”

The truth of his declaration nudged her stomach as the kiss deepened. “So.” His kiss found her cheek, then his breath was at her ear. “Your place or mine?”

No way would she let him change his mind during a car ride. “What about here?”

He tilted his head in question. She’d thrown him a curve ball.

“It is a hotel,” she said.

“Good point.” His mouth crooked, making him look endearingly nervous. “I’ll go check availability.”

As Scott strode to the reservation desk, Ginger pulled out her cell phone. Relieved to get Lisa’s voice mail, she left a brief message. “It’s 9:40. If you don’t see me in the next hour, I’ve gotten a ride home.”

If all went well, no one but Scott would see her for several hours. Or until morning.

He came toward her with a big grin and a key card. “I’ve never done this before. Checked in to a hotel without luggage.”

She laughed. “Come to think of it, I haven’t, either.” It struck her that she might be leaving in the morning in her cocktail dress. “Wait.”

His smile faded.

“I should retrieve my coat. In case, you know, coat check closes before we leave.”

“Right. Me, too.” He changed direction and marched back to the main hall. A man on a mission. The butterflies in her stomach stilled, calmed by a wave of tenderness toward him.

When they passed the gift shop, reality struck, almost making her stumble. Condoms. How could she be so stupid? Of all the nights to switch purses. She’d planned to spend the evening with Lisa and Joe, not spend the night with a guy.

“Is there anything else we’ll need?” she hinted. “Unless you …?”

“Unless I what? Here we are. Do you have your coat stub?” Scott handed his to the checker then turned to her.

Damn. Joe had her coat check stub. She didn’t know if mentioning his boss’s name would make Scott hesitate or not. Earlier he’d seemed undecided about them being together; she didn’t want to give him another reason to balk.

She stretched up to whisper in his ear. “My girlfriend’s husband has it. Why don’t you go to the gift shop while I get the check stub?”

“What do I need at …?” Light dawned across his face. “Gift shop, right. I’ll be back in a second.” He kissed her, hard. “Don’t change your mind while I’m gone.”

“You, either.”

She spotted Joe with a group of men. He was too polite to make a scene that would embarrass her. She touched his arm to draw him aside and explained the situation.

He produced the ticket from his pocket and offered it to her, capturing her hand in the process. “If you want to call me for a ride later, I’ll come.”

She pressed a kiss to his cheek. “Thanks, Joe. Hopefully, this guy has enough manners to drive me home, but otherwise, I’ll call a cab. Do me a different favor, though?”

“Does it involve not telling Lisa?”

“I’d never ask that of you.”

“Good thing.”

She grinned. “But if you could keep the news to yourself for a while, just to give me time to get out of view?”

“She won’t be happy.”

“She’s been unhappy with me before.”

He grimaced. “I wasn’t referring to you.”

Ginger chuckled. “Thanks.”

“Sure you don’t want me to talk to him?”

“Do I need your approval to date your employees?”

Being a gentleman, he didn’t comment on her wording. This was as far from a date as one could get. “Make sure you call Lisa tomorrow. She’ll be worried about you.”

Which meant he was worried. Her throat tightened. “Sure thing.”

Ginger claimed her coat, finally, looking over her shoulder for Scott. So much time had elapsed, he could have had second, third and fourth thoughts by now.

She spotted him as she approached the gift shop. He hovered by the entrance. Had he seen her with his boss and decided she wasn’t worth risking his job? Joe would never fire him for being with her, but Scott wouldn’t know that, would he?

“I thought you’d left,” she said.

“No.” He looked startled. “Were you hoping I had?”

“Not at all.” Thank God she wouldn’t have to seduce him all over again. “What are you doing in here? Did they not have what we need?”

“Got that.” He patted his pocket.

Ginger laid a hand on his arm. “I have what I need, too.”

Their eyes met, then his stiff posture loosened. He understood she meant him.

He exhaled a huge breath. “Okay, then. Let’s go.”

She laughed. “You sound like I’m going to perform a root canal on you.”

“God, I hope not.” He smiled and walked toward the elevators. “I’m just relieved. It took so long getting your coat, I thought y’all had come to your senses.”

“Nope. How about you?”

“Not planning on being sensible for a while. It’ll feel good.”

“That’s the plan.” Once in the elevator alone, she let him push the button for their floor before she pulled him to her. She ran her hands over his chest as he bent toward her. His lips covered hers, surprising her with his passion. Maybe he didn’t need warming up. She smiled against his mouth, pleased he hadn’t been having second thoughts, after all.

“What?” he asked. “Do I kiss funny?”