“I bet you’re good at Hungry Hippos,” Julia said. Playing with the kids would be a good diversion. Maybe she could avoid being alone with Reed until she regained her sanity.

  “Really good.” Bryn’s dimples appeared. “Julia’s here,” she hollered. “And she wants to play Hungry Hippos!”

  Reed came into view suddenly at the end of the hall. She was wearing a button-down collared shirt with a tie. Her slacks were tailored perfectly. The tie alone convinced Julia that her logical mind was going to have a tough fight over her body’s desire tonight.

  “Hey,” Reed said, smiling warmly as she came up behind Bryn. She opened the door all the way and Julia stepped inside.

  Before she could decide on a hug or handshake, Bryn bounced between her and Reed, chattering about all the rules of the hippo game. All Julia could do was smile briefly at Reed as she tried to pay attention to Bryn.

  “Sweetie, why don’t you go set it up?” Reed said. “We’ll only have about ten minutes to play.”

  “I get to be the red hippo,” Bryn said, darting down the hall. “It’s my turn this time.”

  “Talk to Carly about that.”

  When she’d gone, Reed closed the door and turned to Julia. “Thanks for driving up in the rain. I wondered if you’d cancel…”

  “It wasn’t a bad drive,” Julia said. But she wondered if Reed sensed that she’d nearly backed out for other reasons.

  “Can I take your coat?”

  Julia unbuttoned the navy pea coat and felt Reed’s eyes on her. When she looked up, Reed quickly glanced at the floor. But it was too late. Julia had seen Reed’s desire and she couldn’t ignore the heat that rushed through her body in response.

  “I like your dress,” Reed said, awkward now.

  “Thank you.”

  Reed took her coat, brushing against Julia’s arm as she did and then apologizing a moment later. The touch might have been accidental, but she didn’t move to hang up the coat and instead held Julia’s eyes.

  “Hawaii feels like a long time ago,” Reed said. “It’s really good to see you again.”

  Julia’s heart was thumping hard, and she didn’t dare take her eyes off the pea coat still hanging in Reed’s hand. Reed stepped forward and met her lips. What the hell had she been thinking? No way was she leaving tonight. She moved into the kiss, and Reed’s arms wrapped around her.

  Maybe this was only Reed’s release from a long week. But did her reasons matter? After all, Julia was getting something out of the deal too. Simply feeling Reed’s body close to hers, she was nearly certain her old sex issues were truly a thing of the past. Reed’s kiss was a reminder of everything they’d done—and everything she still wanted to do. To think that earlier she’d debated canceling altogether…Thank God she’d packed an in-case-you’re-too-horny-to-leave bag. She only opened her eyes when Reed pulled back.

  “It’s good to see you. I already said that, didn’t I?”

  Julia smiled. “You did.”

  Reed eyed the coat in her arms and said, “So…the babysitter’s not here yet. We have a little time before our dinner reservations for that game of Hungry Hippos.”

  “Oh good,” Julia said. “I didn’t want to miss out on the chance to be a marble-eating hippo.”

  “Bryn’s been obsessed with that game. We’ve played it every night since we got back from Hawaii. She rediscovered it under the bed in her room when we were unpacking.” Reed paused. “I probably shouldn’t admit this, but I’ve been nervous about tonight. I kept wondering if it was going to be different now that we’re both back in our real worlds…”

  “I’ve been prepping myself on not overthinking this,” Julia said.

  “Is that working?”

  Julia laughed. “Not well.”

  “Maybe we can help each other out.” Reed grinned. “How’s this? ‘Thanks for coming over. You look even more amazing than I remembered.’”

  “Nope—that didn’t help.” Julia smiled. “Try again.”

  But Reed looked more embarrassed with that admission. When she turned to hang up the coat in a hall closet, Julia reached out to caress the low of her back, surprising even herself. Five minutes with Reed and she’d lost her mind. But she didn’t move her hand. Reed glanced over her shoulder, catching Julia’s eye. She fumbled for a hanger as Julia’s hand strayed up her back to her shoulders. The muscles of Reed’s back were firm, tensed by the touch, and Julia could feel the warmth of her skin through the shirt.

  Emboldened, Julia stepped forward as soon as Reed turned back around to face her. She ran her finger down Reed’s tie. “We could skip dinner.”

  “Something else you’d rather do?” Reed asked.

  Julia nodded and Reed swallowed hard. Although Reed kept her hands at her side, Julia could feel the heat building between them. It was easy to reach for Reed’s belt. Reed kept her gaze on Julia’s eyes, however.

  “This is one of those times when you’d pay a babysitter double if they showed up early.”

  Julia smiled. She ran a finger over the buckle and then undid it. Reed was motionless, watching her. Any lingering uncertainty about what she wanted from tonight was gone now. But when she found herself wanting to unzip Reed’s pants, she knew she needed to stop. The entryway had gotten way too warm.

  Bryn called Julia’s name and Reed looked down at Julia’s hand, still on her belt. She didn’t step back, but she made a soft whimper.

  “I think we’re wanted for that game of Hungry Hippos,” Julia said.

  “Some days it’s hard being a parent.”

  “I bet.” Julia left Reed to fix her belt and followed the sound of Bryn’s voice. From the entryway, a hall led past a messy front room with toys scattered all about and a staircase to a second floor. Despite the mess, the house itself was as inviting on the inside as it had been from the curb. It was an older Craftsman but clearly renovated with a loving hand.

  The hallway opened up to the kitchen, where Julia had to pause for a moment. From the expansive counters, custom cabinets, and vaulted ceilings with overhead fans and skylights to the windows above the sink and the breakfast nook, a six-burner gas range and high-end appliances that looked unused, she could have spent the evening admiring every nook and cranny.

  “Julia—do you want to be the green hippo or the blue hippo?”

  The kitchen was open to the living room where Bryn and Carly were waiting. Two big couches faced each other and a rug covered with puzzle pieces and more toys filled the space between. A fireplace with a crackling log took up the far corner.

  Bryn stood up and came to lead Julia over to the game. A shy Carly only briefly made eye contact as Julia greeted her. At Bryn’s request, Julia sat next to her. When Reed claimed the hippo on Julia’s left, she knew it was going to be difficult to concentrate on the game.

  The babysitter arrived after the third round and Julia smiled at how fast Reed jumped up to get the door. She gave the excuse of dinner reservations, but Julia guessed at her thoughts as they headed out and Reed caught her hand, pulling her into another kiss.

  “You’re terrible at Hungry Hippos,” Julia said.

  They cut through the soggy backyard to a detached garage and Reed held the door open for her. “I was letting you win.”

  “You’re terrible at lying too.”

  Reed laughed. She hit the unlock button and then went to open the passenger door. Julia glanced at the car. Unfortunately, Reed noticed. “What?”

  “Nothing.” She went to the passenger side and tried to slip past Reed. Reed had her hand on the door still, partly blocking her way.

  “Who’s the terrible liar now?”

  Julia laughed. “No, really, it’s nothing. I just didn’t picture you as a Volvo driver.”

  “Why not?”

  “I don’t know. It’s just…it’s such a mom car.”

  Reed grinned. “Guess what? I’m a mom.”

  “Yeah, I know but…” Julia shook her head. “Okay, don’t take this the wrong way, but you seem cooler than a Volvo wagon.”

  “Cooler?” Reed raised her eyebrows. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but you seem less shallow than a Lexus.”

  “Take that back. I love my car,” Julia said, laughing as she tried to swat Reed’s chest. Reed dodged her hand and then caught her arm and pulled her close. She kissed her with all the desire that she’d had in the entryway earlier, and Julia found herself wishing the garage was a little warmer. She wouldn’t mind if Reed decided to take her right there.

  But Reed pulled back and said, “Volvos have amazing safety ratings. And this one gets great mileage. Plus it came in silver so you can barely tell when it’s dirty.” She leaned close and pecked Julia’s cheek. “Now get in my cool mom car so we can go eat.”

  Julia hardly noticed the drive. Reed’s hand was on her thigh as soon as they pulled onto the freeway and stayed there until they parked. It was a short walk to the restaurant, a hole-in-the-wall place that only had a handful of tables but amazing smells coming from the kitchen. Julia’s stomach stirred to life as they waited to be seated. She wanted Reed, but dinner first wasn’t a bad idea. Then she could have energy for a late night.

  When a server came to seat them, Reed joked with him and Julia wondered if she’d been to the place before. She didn’t want to ask. It was definitely the type of restaurant for a date, not a family meal, and if this was part of Reed’s routine with the women she met up with for sex, she didn’t want to know.

  It wasn’t until after they’d ordered that Reed said, “Is everything okay?”

  Julia hesitated answering. “I wanted to see you way too much tonight.”

  “And that’s a problem?”

  She hesitated. “Bordering on a problem, yes.”

  “Do you want to talk about it?”

  “No. You’re supposed to be helping me not overthink this, remember?” Julia clinked her glass against Reed’s and then took a long sip. Red wine wasn’t usually her drink of choice, but Reed had ordered it and this one slid down easily. She looked everywhere but at Reed.

  Reed reached across the table and touched the back of Julia’s hand. “It’s the Volvo, right?”

  Julia laughed as she shook her head.

  “Phew. I thought that might be one of your deal breakers.” Reed pulled her hand back, grinning. “Do you want to play a game?”

  “What kind of game?”

  “You ask me whatever you want to know—no restrictions or judgments on the questions—but you don’t get to respond to my answer and I can’t give any explanations. No follow-up questions either. Then it’s my turn to ask you something.”

  “Sounds dangerous,” Julia said. “Any question?”

  Reed nodded. She took another sip of her wine. “You start.”

  Julia took a deep breath. She knew she might regret asking this but…“How many women have you brought here?”

  “You’re the first,” Reed answered immediately. “Are you sure you want to date someone with kids?”

  Julia opened and closed her mouth. She hadn’t expected Reed to ask that, and she was still trying to digest Reed’s answer to her question. “No. I’m not sure. But I thought we were only keeping this to sex anyway.”

  Reed slid her finger down the stem of her wineglass. She looked over at a couple seated a few tables away from them. Julia’s stomach had clenched into a tight fist.

  “I want to say more. No explanations makes this hard,” Julia said.

  Reed nodded. “Your turn to ask a question.”

  “Do you still want me to spend the night?”

  “Is that a follow-up question? Technically follow-up questions are off-limits.”

  Julia sighed. “I’m starting to realize what you meant when you said all doctors were big nerds.”

  Reed grinned and then said, “I want you to spend the weekend.”

  “Okay, I want to go back to your question about kids. I already lost this game anyway.”

  The waiter came to take their order, and Julia felt as if she were sitting on pins and needles despite the fact her chair was incredibly comfortable. The whole place was perfect. Reed was perfect. Unfortunately.

  As soon as the waiter left, Julia said, “I want to explain my answer.”

  “Your answer was honest.”

  “Yeah. It was honest. But the thing is, your kids are the first ones I’ve ever gotten to know. And I like your kids,” Julia said. “I don’t want to get attached if we’re keeping this casual. It’s not fair to them or me. If this is only about sex—”

  “What if I’m not sure about that part?” Reed paused. “Can we have something that’s more than friends but isn’t a commitment?”

  Julia wanted to say yes. That would give her an excuse for staying the whole weekend. “I don’t know.”

  Reed picked up her glass and took a slow sip. “Me neither. I thought maybe you were upset after our last conversation—you know, about keeping this casual. No commitments can make it sound like I don’t want more from you. That isn’t it. But I know I can’t offer much more than a fun weekend every once in a while. Or a fun night if we keep the kids out of it.”

  “Some things you aren’t sure about until you sign up.” Julia reached for her water glass. She’d drunk too much of the wine already. “I think it’s your turn to ask a question.”

  “Ever wear handcuffs?”

  Julia nearly choked on the water. She shook her head and then caught Reed’s smile. “I’ll get you back for that one.” Thinking quickly, she asked, “Favorite toy?”

  “Oh, that’s a good one.” Reed didn’t act the least bit fazed by the question and only seemed to want to give it serious thought. “I’ve got a vibrator I love, but when I have a reason to wear the strap-on…I guess if I have to pick a favorite, I’d go with the strap-on.”

  Julia could feel her own blush. She’d intended to make Reed squirm, but the question had backfired. Reed was entirely confident with sex. Julia wasn’t certain if that made her own feelings of inadequacy better or worse. “Have you worn handcuffs?”

  “It’s not your turn to ask,” Reed said. She winked and added, “But I’ll give you a freebie. Yes. I like bondage, but only when I’m comfortable with someone. It’s been a while.”

  “Now that’s an image I want to think about,” Julia said.

  Reed smiled. “Maybe sometime you could do more than think about it.”

  Reed tied up and entirely at Julia’s disposal was a fantasy she’d used more than once in the past week to get to sleep. Of course she’d also turned the fantasy around—the idea of Reed tying her up was as terrifying as it was arousing.

  “I’ve got a whole box full of things you could go through sometime,” Reed tempted.

  “Tonight?”

  “Not tonight. I already have plans for you.” Reed finished her wine and leaned back in her seat. “Unless you decide to go home after dinner.”

  “I want to stay for the weekend.” The doubt had gone. Reed was exactly what she wanted. All she needed to do was keep her head out of this.

  As soon as they stepped out of the restaurant, Reed clasped her hand and she kept hold of it while they walked. Julia felt disoriented, not remembering where they’d parked or even knowing exactly where they were. She’d been distracted on the drive here, but now she was hyperaware of every detail—of how warm Reed’s hand was, of how close she stood when they stopped at a traffic light, of how the cool air felt against her cheeks…The rain had let up and the clouds were clearing overhead, but the city lights made it impossible to see any stars.

  “Where are we?”

  “The Capitol Building’s over there.” Reed pointed down a long city block. “And the rose garden’s over there. I used to live a few blocks from here over by the hospital.”

  Sacramento. Of course. Julia let Reed open her car door again. She wasn’t going to stop her from doing anything she wanted to do tonight. The realization that she wanted Reed in control wasn’t new, but it was strange how easy it was to relax and let it happen. She’d never let any of her past dates open a car door for her. Then again, she’d never dated anyone who took charge quite so well.

  Reed pulled out of the parking spot and zipped into traffic. When her hand settled on the gear shaft, Julia felt a stirring between her legs that was both ridiculous and impossible to ignore. She loved Reed’s hands. That was the root of the problem. Another complicating factor was that Reed handled the car exactly the way she’d handled Julia’s body. Her movements were smooth, no mistakes, and there was no doubting she was focused on the road even as she kept up a conversation about music. She’d asked Julia to pick the radio station and then asked about her favorite musicians. Julia tried to keep up with the questions, tried to maintain her side of the conversation, but all she wanted was for Reed to reach across the console and slide a hand up her thigh.

  Twenty minutes later, they pulled into Reed’s garage. Reed led the way through the backyard, passing a swing set, a sand box, and an assortment of tricycles and scooters the twins had probably outgrown, before they reached the back door. Through the French doors, Julia could see the living room where the babysitter was settled on the couch watching TV. The kids seemed to be already in bed.

  Julia waited in the living room while Reed paid the babysitter and then walked her to the front door. She looked like a college student—a much too attractive college student—and was annoyingly sweet to Reed. Oh jeez, I’m jealous of the babysitter. To stop herself from eavesdropping, Julia occupied herself with picking up the pieces from the Hungry Hippo game. The little red marbles had rolled under the coffee table and across the room. Knowing Bryn, there was a good chance she’d been throwing them on purpose.

  When Reed returned, she switched off the TV and then came over to help finish picking up the game. Julia closed the lid and held the box out for Reed. Instead of taking the box, Reed leaned in for a kiss. Soft lips met hers and then Reed pressed in with an intention that left Julia breathless. Reed pulled away too soon. Again. She only seemed to give enough of herself to remind Julia of her thirst—not enough to quench it.

  “I have to go check on the girls. Sometimes they’re only pretending to be asleep when they have a babysitter.”