Page 64 of Sexting the Single Pakhan

God, I want to touch her. Just reach out, brush that loose strand of hair that’s escaped her ponytail, tuck it behind her ear the way I do when we’re alone. My fingers flex at my side.

“How are you?” I ask instead.

“Good.” She tilts her head. “You? How’s your day going?”

“Fine.” A lie, but close enough.

She glances at Alexei, then back at me, surprise flickering in her eyes. “I didn’t expect to see you picking him up today.”

“Yeah. Thought I’d surprise him.” I nod toward my son, still lost in his book. “We’re getting ice cream after. Want to come?”

Her smile softens, but she shakes her head. “You know I can’t.”

I want to argue, pull her out of here with us, damn the rules, but I nod instead.

She turns toward the desk. “Alexei, honey, your dad’s here.”

His head snaps up. Eyes go wide when he sees me. “Papa?”

He scrambles to pack his backpack, books thumping into the bag. When he reaches us, I ruffle his hair.

The driver’s waiting by the door. I jerk my chin. “Take him to the car. I’ll be right there.”

Alexei hesitates, looks between us, then goes.

I turn back to Laurel. Lower my voice. “You sure you don’t want to come?”

“No.” But her eyes say she wishes she could. “Have fun, though. Both of you.”

I step closer, just enough that only she can hear. “Can I at least kiss you?”

Her eyes dart around the empty room, then widen. “No.”

“A peck on the cheek then?”

She silently screams no, lips pressed tight, cheeks already flushing.

I groan low in my throat. “I hate this. Not being able to touch you in public.”

She bites her lip, fighting a smile.

I lean in anyway, voice dropping to a rasp only for her. “Tonight. Your place. I want you in bed. Naked. Waiting for me.”

Her face goes crimson, the instant flush spreading down her neck. She nods once, quick and jerky, then turns half away, smirking.

“Get out of here,” she whispers, voice shaky with laughter and heat.

I smirk back, force myself to step away.

I walk back to the car and slide into the back seat beside Alexei. He’s buckled in, iPad balanced on his knees, but he’s staring at me like I’ve grown a second head.

“What happened?” he asks, eyes wide.

I raise an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

“You’re picking me up.” He says it like it’s proof of something impossible.

I let out a short laugh, though it doesn’t quite reach my eyes. “I’m your father, malysh. I can pick you up from school.”