Restrictions (Sterling Family #2)

11. Vivienne

11

VIVIENNE

W hy does it have to be Monday? I really hate Mondays. It’s only the second week of school, and I’m already worn out. It doesn’t help that Sebastian didn’t sleep well last night, making his way into my bed twice during the night.

And then of course, he was cranky this morning when I had to leave him.

I’m ready to go pick him up and relax. Well, as much as I’m capable of relaxing. The night Asher’s friends stopped by is still in the back of my mind. I knew them all from high school, especially Bianca, who, since junior high, loved to shoulder check me in the hallway and whisper things behind my back. What I did to her exactly I don’t know, but it’s clear she’s still pissed about whatever it is.

My cheeks heat, thinking about the things she said in front of everyone. And then like a total idiot, I blurted out loud to Ash that I am, in fact, horny.

I swear my filter is usually set to high, but Asher has a way of turning the dial down and making me open up without even trying.

“Oh, I’m sorry.” My body collides with a much larger one as we all file out of the large lecture hall, my shoulder smashing into the door as the handsome stranger apologizes .

I wave him off. “No, I’m sorry. I was distracted. You would think walking wouldn’t be that difficult.”

He smiles, and it’s a white megawatt grin in my direction. I stiffen and sweep my hair behind my ear. “No, I was distracted too. Probably not by the same thing though.”

“What were you distracted by?” I smile, surprised at myself that I asked. Am I flirting? Jesus, I’m ridiculous.

“I can’t tell you. It’s so fucking cheesy, you’ll never talk to me again.”

I study him—strong square jaw, pretty green eyes, white smile, and a large, muscular build. He’s certainly attractive. “Now you have to tell me.”

He laughs at that and shrugs. “Your eyes. They’re beautiful, and I was trying to decide exactly what color they are because they are uniquely gorgeous.” His smile widens as he playfully shrugs. “So I guess it was your fault after all.”

I laugh at that and shake my head from side to side. “You’re right, that is cheesy.”

I think we’re flirting. “I told ya, but since you made me tell you, you have to continue talking to me.”

I laugh and find my keys in my backpack, pulling them out to fidget with them in my hands. “I suppose so.”

“So, dinner then?”

I stare at him, shocked. He wastes no time. “Dinner?”

“Yeah. Food. A date? I need to study those eyes.”

“I don’t even know your name.” I’m a mother. I need to be careful and cautious . I always figured if I did start dating, I would do my research. But I have to admit this stranger has me tempted.

“William.”

“I’m Vivienne.”

“So, will you go out with me this Saturday, Vivienne?”

I should say no. I mean, right? I wasn’t lying when I said I might start dating soon, but I didn’t mean right away. “Yes.”

Whoops.

That just came out of my mouth. He smiles and pulls his phone out. “Can I have your number? I’ll text you to find out all the details?”

I nod and ramble the numbers before waving a quick goodbye and walk out to my car. Did I really just accept? I’m going out on a date this Saturday? Me?

I pick up Sebastian, and when we get home, I’m still in a daze as he flies downstairs to his playroom and more than likely to find his uncle.

I put my stuff down on the kitchen counter and grab some water before heading downstairs to look for Sebastian. He’s playing happily in the playroom. I hear music coming from the gym and walk to the doorway, stopping when I see Asher.

He’s wearing a tight black muscle tank and shorts, covered in sweat from what appears to be an intense workout. His biceps flex tightly as he lifts a weight while lying down on the weight bench, and I stand there staring like a total sex-starved moron because holy shit.

He notices me, placing the weight back on the bar and sits up, lifting his tank top to wipe his forehead, showing way too much of his washboard abs for me to form actual words.

“Viv? You okay?”

I nod and try to wet my throat which is now completely dry, unlike my panties. Jesus. I do need to go out on a date. “Yeah.” I try to shake it off. Focus. “I’m fine. I was just wondering if you’re busy Saturday?”

He lowers his shirt and shakes his head. “No plans. Why?”

He lays back down and starts to lift again. As I watch his muscles flex, I struggle to remember why. “Um. I was wondering if you could watch Sebastian for a couple of hours.”

“Of course.” His breathing is labored as he lifts the weight above his head. “That’s part of our deal. What are you doing? Little mani/pedi?”

I laugh and lean against the door frame. “No actually... I have a date.”

That makes him pause his workout, placing the weight up and sitting again to face me. “A date? With who?”

“A guy from class. He just asked me today.”

His eyebrows furrow, and he looks more annoyed than I thought he would be. I mean, he’s the one who’s always telling me to loosen up. “What do you know about this guy?”

I lift my shoulders, feeling slightly embarrassed. “Not much. Just his name, but he seems nice.”

Asher stands from the weight bench and grabs a towel, using it to dry his face. “Seems nice? Really? ”

“What?” I place a hand on my hip, growing irritated with his questioning. “I’m single. You and everyone else seem to think I’m uptight. Maybe a date with a handsome stranger would do me good.”

“How the fuck do you know he’s not a serial killer?”

“Really, Asher? He’s just a student, and we’re just going to dinner.”

His demeanor softens slightly, and he moves past me in the doorway, careful not to rub against me. I follow him into his room where he tosses the towel into the hamper. “Dinner, huh?”

“Yes.” I sit on the edge of his bed as he goes to his closet, grabbing a shirt. “And he’s good with the kid thing?”

My right hand nervously picks at a loose string on his comforter. “It didn’t come up.”

“What the fuck, Viv?”

Suddenly I feel completely ashamed, but it comes out as anger. “What the hell was I supposed to say? ‘Are you sure you want to go out with me knowing I’ve pushed a kid out of my vagina?’”

He looks slightly amused now and laughs. “Maybe. It’s true.”

“Not exactly a selling point.” Why didn’t I mention Baz? “All he has to do is look on social media and see that I have a kid. I’m not hiding Sebastian and never will.”

“Still probably should have told him.”

“Will you please stop? Not all guys are terrified of commitment.”

He tilts his head to the side and puffs out frustrated air as he walks closer to me, his stomach rippling and undeniably sexy. “He thinks he’s going out on a date with a twenty-one–year-old smoking hot chick. Not a twenty-one–year-old smoking hot mom. He’s gonna freak the fuck out when he finds out.”

I stand up from the bed and start to head toward the door. “You’re being an ass.”

“I’m being fucking honest. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

I spin around on my foot and look back at him. “Will you watch Sebastian or not?”

I get one curt nod. “Yeah.”

“Good. That’s all I need. I don’t want your opinion on my sex life.”

“That was basically nonexistent until today.”

I shrug my shoulder as my foot crosses the threshold. “Maybe that’ll change Saturday. ”

I leave and find Sebastian still playing with his toys and sit down with him, hoping I’m not making a huge mistake.

I’ve been afraid to let lust and hormones cloud my judgment, so I’ve stayed away from the opposite sex since I found out I was pregnant.

But a girl can only take so much.