Uncovering Hope (Uncovering Love Book 3) Read Online Free PDF Page A

spirit from earlier. Things are changing. I can feel it approaching like a storm. I give a little shiver as a cool breeze blows through.
    “Later, everyone! Have a good night!” I yell over the chatter, earning a few waves. I turn, and Derek’s at my side.
    “I’ll make sure you get home okay.” he says.
    “It’s okay, I’m taking a cab.”
    “Good, we can share. I’m too fucked up to drive.” He beams.
    “Whatever.” I roll my eyes and power walk down the stairs to the hostess stand. He follows with a lazy jog and I do my best to ignore the thrill that comes from him not leaving me alone.
    “We need a cab,” he interjects before I can open my mouth.” The hostess nods, eyes wide and rendered speechless, pointing to the row of cabbies just outside the gate.
    “Thanks, love.” He winks and I swear the poor girl almost faints. She scrambles for her phone as we walk out the archway.
    “You’re in a rush, Cinderella . . . your clothes gonna disappear if you’re not home by midnight? ’Cause I wanna be around for that.”
    “No, dumbass. I have a sitter and I promised her I’d be home by midnight.”
    “Right. Kids.” He opens the door for me, and I sit inside, scooting as he slides in as well. I rattle off my address and main cross streets to the driver.
    “You’re a good mom. I can tell,” Derek says sincerely.
    “How can you say that? You don’t even know me.” I laugh.
    “Well, you’re passing on this.” He dramatically sweeps his hands up and down his body with a wry grin.
    I laugh and shake my head. “You’re really full of yourself.”
    “Why, thank you.”
    “I didn’t mean that as a compliment.” I lift my chin to meet his intense gaze. The passing street lights cast his face from dark to light and back again. He looks dangerous and sexy as fuck. The comedic entertainer disappears somewhere along the ride.
    I lick my lips and anticipate his kiss. His eyes follow the movement and he’s transfixed in their wake. I want him. I shouldn’t. I won’t.
    The car pulls to a slow stop. “Fifteen,” mutters the driver.
    “I’ve got it,” Derek whispers and dips his head close enough that our lips barely don’t touch.
    He leans his strong male body over mine to pull the door handle and push open the door. I don’t miss how his arm grazes my breasts, or how my nipples harden at the touch. I inhale, and savor the scent that is pure male and a suggestion of mint. Derek leans back into his seat with a satisfied smirk.
    “’Night, mama.”
    “’Night, Derek.” I step out of the vehicle and he mutters something to the cabbie as I walk to the door. Twisting the key in the lock, I turn to look back.
    “I’ll see you around!” Derek yells out the open taxi window.
    “I’m not so sure you will!” I fire back sweetly.
    He laughs. “We’ll see about that!” He slaps his hand outside the cab, and the driver whisks him away from my drive.
    I’ll probably never see him again. I wish that left me with satisfaction instead of disappointment.

“MAMA! CAN WE MAKE PANCAKES ?” Eli shouts as he jumps onto my bed. The mattress moves with every bump, throwing pillows and blankets haphazardly. My stomach rolls and I cringe at the movement. I crack one eye and read the time from the clock. Almost eight o’clock. I’m lucky they let me sleep this much.
    “Mama! Mama, wake up!” He hops again, this time losing his balance and landing head first into my side. I wince at the pain. This is one of many reasons I don’t go out. Kids don’t care if you’ve been drinking or had a long night. In fact, it’s almost as if they can tell you had fun without them and feel the need to deliver payback in the form of rambunctious behavior and jubilant shouts.
    “Mama!” Eli screams. Point in case.
    “Elijah, baby, you need to talk quietly. It’s still early.”
    “I’m bored. Ezra won’t let me play with him. I’m hungry, too.” My alone time is officially up for the day. I sigh and roll out