Balancing Act. Laura Browning

had the chance to figure that out. I hadn’t imagined being responsible for a child before I was twenty-five.”

      He helped her into the car and then strode around to get in on his side. They didn’t speak again for a while. She was a surprise. More than that, Tessa Edwards was an enigma, and for the first time in a long while, Seth discovered he was intrigued enough to want to know more.

      * * * *

      “Tessa.” Seth’s voice came from a distance. “Tessa, wake up.” Closer now. In fact, very near her ear. “Come on, Tess, wake up.”

      Tessa smiled. She was having the loveliest dream of the ocean complete with the feel of salt spray in her face. She and Zach were laughing.

      “Tessa,” Seth prompted again. “You’re home.”

      There was laughter in his voice and his breath was a whisper against her cheeks. She turned her head at the same time she opened her eyes.

      “You’re home,” Seth said again. Silence stretched as they continued to stare at one another. Seth’s gaze drifted to her mouth, and Tessa self-consciously licked her lips. Their eyes met again.

      “I should go in,” she whispered, but she made no move to leave.

      Seth’s large hand came up and he brushed the backs of his fingers against her cheek.

      “Thank you, Tessa.”

      “For what?” she asked in confusion, staring at his wide, firm mouth.

      “For agreeing to go with me tonight. For giving up some of your own time.” Seth quit talking for a moment. “I am about to make a very big mistake.” He slid his hand behind her head and leaned closer. “Tell me to stop,” he whispered as his mouth brushed hers.

      “Seth.” His name came out on a breath as her heart thudded in her chest. The saner part of her agreed with him. It was a mistake. Sanity prevailed. She leaned back. As soon as she pressed against his hand, he released her and sat back.

      “I’m sorry,” he said in his usual gruff voice. “That should never have happened.”

      He opened his door and came around the gleaming black SUV to open the door for her. Tessa met his golden eyes again before taking his outstretched hand.

      “Tessa.” He seemed to want to say something else, but stopped. “Thanks again. I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”

      She nodded and hurried up the walk to the big, old house. She knew Seth stood there watching until she was inside. Only then did she hear the sound of the engine as the Cadillac pulled away from the curb.