Talia leans back in the chair and slurps on her iced coffee. She swirls from side to side while eying me off. I give her a look but she tilts her head to the side like she's trying to solve a complicated math problem.

"Can I help you with something?" I raise an eyebrow.

"You just look, hm, different and I can't place my finger on it."

"Um, thanks?" I frown.

I'm unsure if I should take that as a compliment considering how long she's been looking at me.

"Have you changed your skincare routine?"

"It's amusing that you think I have a skincare routine. Between the office and my child, I'm lucky enough to slap on some moisturizer let alone a six-step skin routine." I laugh. "Some days when I'm lucky, I even put sunscreen on."

Talia rolls her eyes.

"I don't have a six-step routine either. Nobody has damn time for that." She chuckles.

"Certainly not! I'm more of a 3-in-1 hair wash person."

"What about eating more fruit and vegetables?"

"No."

"What about organic foods?"

"Stop, Talia, you know how I feel about organic food." I roll my eyes. "They just rub some dirt on it and whack up the price tag."

Talia gasps and whacks her hand on the desk, creating a loud whacking noise to echo through the small office.

"I know what it is! You got some action," she shouts.

Heat pools to my cheeks and it only confirms her suspicions.

"Ellie," she gasps, "Tell me everything. Don't miss a single detail."

I close my eyes and sigh. I've learned to just give her what she wants because Talia is relentless otherwise.

"Daniel spent the night on Saturday, I passed out in bed before anything could happen. Sunday morning was a different story." I smile, biting my lip.

"Tell me everything!" She bounces in her chair.

"I told him I read every night before bed, so he picked up the book I was reading and read some of it. He must have come across a smutty scene when I'd fallen asleep because, in the morning, he opened the book to a specific scene and asked me to read to him."

"Oh." She grins.

"He did everything as I was reading, it was so hot."

"Oh. My. God." She squeals.

"I thought it was going to lead to sex, but I'm relieved it didn't. I haven't really been with anyone since having Noah. Going slow and just exploring is a pace I'm happy with and we seem to be on the same page."

"Aw Ellie, that's a green flag right there!"

"What's a green flag?" Jordan asks as she walks into the office.

She dumps her bag on the desk and sinks into her office chair.

"Our girl got some action over the weekend," Talia says.

"What." Jordan gasps. "He must have been good in bed because you've been so happy this morning despite all the cockups that have been happening with the projects."

"We didn't have sex," I explain.

"There's always next weekend." Jordan winks.

"Or in about three months when I can ask my mother to babysit again. Craig is too fickle with taking Noah and I don't want to keep asking my mother to take Noah so I can get some action." I sigh.

"Is Noah a deep sleeper?" Jordan smirks, raising her eyebrow.

"No." I gasp.

"C'mon, he can sneak through the window and back out," Jordan says.

"No, it feels dirty expecting him to just hop out the window after we're done. Plus I like to snuggle after sex."

"If you're not entertaining him, someone else will," Talia says.

Daniel doesn't seem like the type and he seems really interested in whatever our thing is. Although, we both have needs and after Sunday morning, I would love to read more stories to him. I just hope he doesn't get bored of me because I can't be spontaneous and just drop everything.

I should ignore that comment because Daniel knows what he's getting himself into; I was very transparent about what it's like dating a single parent with a casual baby daddy.

"Okay, enough about me. We should get back to work."

Talia rolls her eyes, then leans back in her chair to finish her iced coffee.

I glance at my mobile and catch a message from Daniel.

'Hope you're having a wonderful day. Missing you x' - Daniel.

I miss him and the warmth and comfort he bought to my bed. I just don't know about the sneaking-through-the-window idea. What if Noah wakes up in the middle of the night and comes to my room? He hasn't done that in months, but the fear is real. He would be terrified to find a random man in my bed and I'm not sure if I'm ready to introduce them.

Before I can reply, the office phone rings and Talia spins around, ignoring it. I sigh and answer the phone. I jot down some information before hanging up.

"Tell me again what your job is, Talia." I sigh.

"I'm having a ten-minute break, thank you very much." She laughs.

"I would love to stay and chat, but I have to head out on-site to check on something. I will see you two tomorrow." I pack my things into my work bag and head for the door. "Be good and do some work."

"Yes, mum," Talia says.

* * * * *

Noah and I gather around the coffee table sharing a plate of chips and chicken nuggets. He's so focused on watching his new favourite tv show, that I don't think he'd notice if I took a mini nap or wander off. After all the driving around and managing the project, I'm exhausted. So here's to a very lazy dinner and some comfort television to get me through the remainder of the night.

My phone buzzes with another message from Daniel. It's hard to cover the smile on my face, so luckily Noah's so engrossed with the television.

'How was your day?' - Daniel.

'I'm counting down the minutes until Noah's bedtime. I'm exhausted but this kid has too much energy. How do children have this much energy? I need to know his secret.' - Ellie.

'How long do you have left?' - Daniel.

'53 minutes.' - Ellie.

A minute passes and another message comes through.

'52 now.' - Daniel.

'Noah's so lucky and he doesn't realise it. I miss having dinner made for me and the endless stories read before bedtime.' - Ellie.

'He's also lucky to come home to you every day. You're an amazing mother.' - Daniel.

I look at Noah and smile.

'I'm lucky to have him.' - Ellie.

'I feel the same way about you.' - Daniel.

His message makes my heart sore. I feel like a silly teenager but I embrace it.

'I'm the lucky one here. You've been so understanding about the single-parent situation. Most men your age just run away as fast as they can.' - Ellie.

'I would love to cook you dinner and read you stories until you fall asleep.' - Daniel.

'You can't imagine how much I love the idea of that.' - Ellie.

The idea of Daniel sneaking through my bedroom window doesn't sound so terrible now that I'm tired and in the mood to be wrapped up in his arms.

'One of my co-workers had this crazy idea that you should sneak through my bedroom window. It doesn't seem so crazy now.' - Ellie.

As I hit send, I lock the phone screen and hold the phone to my chest. My heart races and my palms sweat as I wait for the buzz of a new message. When the phone buzzes, my entire body tenses. I peer at the screen and struggle to hold back a squeal.

'Tell me to do it and I will.' - Daniel.

Noah yawns and snuggles into my side, so I slide my phone into my pocket and kiss his forehead.

Should I do it? I don't know.

"Are you ready for bed?"

"Yes."

"Let's go and read some stories then."

I'm slightly taken aback that my toddler is willingly wanting to go to bed, but I don't question it. Noah holds his arms up for me to pick him up. I swing him into the air and we run down the hallway to his bedroom. He bursts out with laughter, then I swing him onto the ground.

"Which stories do you want to read tonight?"

While Noah picks a pile of books, I message Daniel back.

* * * * *

Noah's fast asleep by the third book and I cleaned his bedroom on Sunday, so it's a lot easier to sneak out without all the junk laying around. I hurry down to my bedroom and leap up at the sound of someone knocking on my window.

Daniel waves and I help him slide the old wooden frame window up. He puts one leg through the window, then swings his head through. He hops inside but loses balance as the other leg comes through the window. I grab his hands to help steady himself.

He looks up at me with his gorgeous blue eyes and I smile.

"Oh, how the tables have turned." I laugh.

"I'm sorry if I scared you before. I did message to say I was here."

"It's all good. I didn't check my phone when I was reading and I stupidly thought I would have more time to change my clothes."

"Oh, are these your mum pjs?" His eyes light up with curiosity.

I cross my arms in an attempt to hide some of the holes and stains, but his eyes rake over my body and he tugs me in for a hug.

"I love the pajamas, they look super cozy."

I melt under his embrace. He cups my cheek and pulls me in for a soft, sweet kiss which makes this entire situation feel worth it.

When he lets go, I jump onto the bed and it creaks under my weight. Daniel looks around the room which hasn't changed since the last time he was here. He spies the book on my side table and picks it up. Daniel looks over the cover and frowns.

"Is this a new book?"

"Yes." I nod.

"Oh, I was enjoying the last one." He glances at me from the corner of his eye and I blush. I have not stopped replaying our last encounter.

"Maybe you'll have to read this one and see if you like it too." I innocently grin.

Daniel flips through the pages and grins before sliding the book onto the side table.

"We can't do anything while Noah's here. I just-"

"Hey, don't worry. I didn't come over expecting anything. Well, maybe a hot makeout." He chuckles. "Perhaps some heavy petting, but mainly just to see you."

"I'm scared but excited you're here."

"I didn't bring anything in case I need to quickly leap out of the window. Plus I just sleep in my boxes." Daniel reaches for the hem of his t-shirt and I can't take my eyes off him. The way his blue eyes sparkle, he knows exactly what he's doing to me.

He discards the t-shirt on the floor, then slowly pops the button through his grey-washed denim jeans. Daniel shrugs out of them before climbing under the covers. I crawl to the top of the bed and slide under the covers as well.

We stare into each other's eyes until he leans in and rubs his nose across mine. His breath is warm and tickles my lips. His lips teasingly brush against mine and rub my cheek with his thumb. Daniel's grip tightens as our kiss grows hungry, yet passionate.

Daniel's hand slips down to my neck and runs over my chest. He cups my breast and kneads it with his hand. I moan against his lips and take advantage of his bare chest. I work my fingers over his muscles, exploring his warm chest.

He grabs my waist and I straddle his hips. I tangle my fingers through his hair and tug on it so his head is angled back. I trace his lower lip with my tongue, then nip it. He grabs my butt and squeezes it, pulling us closer. I slide my hands down to his cheeks and deepen our kiss. His tongue dances with mine and his hands slip under my shirt and his fingernails lightly graze over my sensitive skin.

Daniel squeezes my waist as I grind my hips against his. His breath is hot against my skin and heat pools in my core. I pull back and press my forehead against his, panting for air.

"Shit, here I am, going back on what I said." I laugh.

"We can stop here," he whispers.

I rub my nose against his and groan. I don't want to stop, but somehow I'm nodding. Daniel slides his hands over my waist for a second, then he lifts me off and I slide down beside him. I roll onto my side and Daniel drapes his arm over my waist. I wiggle back until I'm comfortable and his warm chest is pressed against my back.

"Don't tease me anymore," he groans. "I can only handle so much."

I sigh because he's right and I'm tempted to push the limit.

He picks up the book and I shake my head.

"Maybe not that one."

I pass him a different book and turn back to face him. He kisses my forehead before opening the book and reading the first chapter.

* * * * *

There's an alarm ringing and Daniel is fast asleep on my chest. He stirs and sleepily rubs his eyes before rolling over to turn it off. He looks back at me and shakes his head. His blonde hair is sticking up in different directions but he looks adorable.

It's still dark outside but is beginning to lighten up.

He rolls out of bed and picks his clothing up.

"What's the time?"

"Four-thirty." He groans.

He tugs his t-shirt on, then looks down at me and smirks.

"Worth it, though."

He leans over the bed and kisses me.

"I could easily get used to this," I mumble.

"Same time tonight then?" Daniel asks.

I bite my lip but it doesn't stop the smile from spreading across my lips.

"Okay," I say.

Daniel grins as he hops into his jeans.

"You can use the front door."

"It's okay, I need some practice. It's been a while since I've had to sneak through windows. Thank goodness you don't have a two-story house."

"I feel like a naughty teenager, except I'm the adult." I slap my hand over my face. "Somethings just don't change."

"I kind of like it, makes things exciting." He laughs.

"Anxious for me." I sigh.

"I'll see you tonight." Daniel walks to the window but runs back to kiss me before hopping out. I roll over onto his side and inhale his cologne left on the pillow and it smells good. His side of the bed? I'm definitely in too deep if I'm already referring to it as his side of the bed and he's only slept here twice.

* * * * *