His words are a balm to my soul.
Hale gets it.
He understands, and I don’t even have to explain.
Dropping down, I lay my lips over his, and for the first time in my life, I feel true pleasure at the hands of a man who could easily control my every move. Hurt me in ways Mason never could because Mason never owned my heart the way Hale is beginning to.
Eight
HALE
Now or never.
It’s been three days since I accosted Laken in her bed, and we had a million little confessions that built up a bigger picture for both of us. I’ve been there twice to walk her to work and home since then, and today, Ophelia tipped me off to what time she was finished because the more time I spend with Laken, the surer I become that she is meant to be the woman at my side for the rest of my life.
She’s adventurous, intelligent, funny, cautious, and filled with love.
She doesn’t see herself in the same light as I do, but I’ll spend a lifetime showing her exactly what it’s like to love and be loved. Which is why Jesse and I are parking now; to pick her up and take her out for pizza.
I haven’t shared with her that I have a son yet, not for any reason other than not wanting to scare her off. Since she’s already met him and Jesse told me they shared a joke and laugh, and he’s been dying to see her again, I think today is the right time. I could be completely off-base, however. We haven’t discussed the future, but she’s hinted at enjoying the company of kids, even when she did appear a little sad while watching or talking about them.
“Alright, Jess, don’t go crazy on her. She’s liable to run on us.” The boy rolls his eyes at me as he jumps out of the backseat and makes a mad dash for The Cup. “Fucking hell.”
He’s in the shop and at the front counter before I’ve locked the doors, so when I walk in and see them laughing before Laken notices my presence, I take a minute to study them. Absolute perfection. The two of them together is precisely how I pictured it.
I just hope she’s not too pissed at me for not speaking up sooner about having a child. “Hi, gorgeous.” I’ll never tire of the way she blushes when I compliment her.
“Hi, Hale.” Or the way she sighs my name.
“Can I have a cupcake, Dad?” Jesse glances back at me as he points to a chocolate cupcake with green frosting and sprinkles. Ruffling his hair, I keep my eyes on Laken, who is staring between the two of us. Her eyes like little ping pong balls as they bounce back and forth.
“Laken, this is my son Jesse.” I finally speak the words she’s been waiting for. Shock is apparent on her features, and when she pales, I worry that this is too much for her.
“You have a son,” she chokes out, her voice cracking.
“I do.” Jesse is busy marveling at the rows of treats in the glass enclosure, so he doesn’t witness her distress.
“You didn’t tell me.” Her gaze wanders over to watch him.
“I know.”
She stills before looking back at me. “Why?”
“I wasn’t trying to hide him. However, I didn’t want the fact that I had him to scare you off, either. I know you’re already fragile from your past and barely ready to open up to me. I wanted to give you time to know me first.” I fucked this up so damn bad.
“Will you come get pizza with us? Dad knows the best place!” Jesse’s youthful ignorance is a blessing right now because all he cares about is food and getting the pretty girl he’s also become enamored with to join us for dinner. “Please?” he pouts and opens his eyes wide to beg when she doesn’t immediately say yes.
I see Ophelia watching us from the shop entrance with a raised brow. She told me this was a bad idea. Springing this on Laken. She argued that I should have filled her in first, especially given that they’d previously met. I’m starting to think I should have listened.
“It’s just pizza,” I try to negotiate.
“Dad?” Jesse glances back at me when she doesn’t answer, worry stressing his eyes.
“Yes, I’ll have dinner with you both.” I can tell she’s only doing it because of Jesse.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck!
I’m usually spot-on at reading people, and I knew she was slightly reserved about children, but I thought this would be okay. I’ve never been so fucking wrong in my life.