Tempted To Touch

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Irish fixed her daughter's ponytail as they waited for someone to answer the door. When the door swung open, Irish looked away from her daughter's face and turned and looked into the most striking pair of eyes she had ever seen. She was momentarily speechless as she took in the face of the handsome stranger.

He had tousled dark brown hair, which was thick and lustrous. His eyes were a mesmerising gray. His face was strong and defined, his features molded to perfection. He had dark eyebrows, which were currently quirked upwards in a amused expression. His full lips in a smirk that said he knew his effect on women.

Iris's first thought was that Hannah had forgotten to tell her someone other than her young son would be joining them for dinner.

“Who's at the door honey?” she heard her friend call from the inside.

“I believe it's your neighbor mom.”

His voice, so deep and calming had her clearing her throat as she reached for Amy's hand and stepped pass him. Being careful not to touch him. Iris tried her best to hide her shock that this man was her closest friend's son from college. Was this how college students looked these days?

“Oh Iris, you're finally here and I see you've met my son. Ethan this is my friend Iris.” Hannah introduced them.

“I've heard so much about you. My mother forgot to tell me how beautiful you are.”

Iris sucked in her breath as he placed a light feathery kiss on the back of her hand.

“And who is this little lady? No one told me we would be having a princess over tonight.”

Iris watched as her daughter giggled at Ethan who was bent in front of her holding her little hand. It seems his charms weren't lost on even her innocent daughter.

“I'm not a princess silly. I can rescue myself from evil witches and big dragons.” Amy announced as she puffed up her chest.

“Well then brave one I stand corrected.” Ethan replied as he gave her a high-five.

Dinner was decent except for the fact Iris could tell each time Ethan looked her way. His foot brushed hers a few times. After the third time she realized it was no accident. She tried her best to keep her attention on what Hannah was saying. It was hard though to see this masculine perfection as the little mischievous boy her friend was telling stories about. The mischievous part she could see, the little part not so much. There was nothing small about Ethan.

“Looks like Amy is all tuckered out from all the excitement of her day.” Hannah said pulling their attention to Amy who had fallen asleep and struggling to keep her head from rolling to the side.

Iris smiled at her daughter and stood up. Before she could pick her up though Ethan was by her side and scooping Amy up in his arms. She watched as her daughter wrapped her arms around his neck and snuggled in as she slept.

“I'll walk you home.” Ethan said looking down at Iris.

“That's not necessary.” Iris argued

“I insist. Mom I'll do the dishes when I get back.”

Irish smiled at her friend who was looking at her son with a proud expression as he strolled to the door.

As they walked in silence to her house next-door, Iris tried to her best to calm her galloping heart. She was disgusted at her own reaction to Ethan. Here she was a thirty seven year old woman lusting after a guy that must be young enough to be her own child.

She turned to him as they got to the door but before she could thank him he raised his finger to her lips and made a quick swipe before bringing it to his mouth.

“Mmm, peach. I think it's my favorite flavor.”

She had no doubt her face was as red as her daughter's baseball bat that was lying by the front porch.

“Ethan…”

“Goodnight Iris… sweet dreams.”

She swallowed as he handed Amy over to her then walked away into the night. She told herself she needed to stay far away from him for as long as he was in town for. She knew though he wouldn't be making it easy for her.