He reached over and grabbed my hands. “Don’t stop, tell me. I want to know everything.”
“The first time those bright blue eyes looked up at me, my complete world changed. Life was no longer about me. It revolved around him now, and I would do anything I could to protect him from the harshness that life brings sometimes. Savannah’s husband, Hutchison, accepted Ben like he was his own and took him under his wing. He always wants to play Hot Wheels in the front yard, and, bless his heart, Hutch will do it every time he’s asked.”
His look grew sullen, and I didn’t miss the clench of his fist. “He needs his father, and I’m here now. So he won’t need to depend on Hutch anymore.” He spit the words like venom. I understood the hurt and the jealousy behind the words.
“Ace…”
“I get it, okay? It makes total sense why you did, but even if I couldn’t be home because I didn't want to bring the press with me, at least you could’ve sent me updates on him, or I could’ve sent money home to help with bills. It would’ve been nice to see pictures of him as he grew up. Something… anything… that’s all I’m asking. I want a chance to be a part of my kids' life. You shut me out, and, this time, I’m not going anywhere. I’m staying here because I want this family I didn’t know we created. I’ve always wanted kids. You knew that. Now Ben is a complete stranger to me. I’m the guy who drives fast cars instead of the guy teaching him about cars, or how to woo girls, or giving him “the talk” when he comes of age. It’s my job, Anna. Please, just let me do it.”
“Okay.”
His eyes lit up with hope. “Okay?”
I took a deep breath, we’d come this far and there was no going back. “So, what do you want to do?”
“I want to get to know him. I want to be able to spend time with him. I want him to know, Anna, that I’m his dad. I may be starting five years late, but for the rest of his life, I need him to know that I’m here for him; come hell or high water. He can count on me. And so can you. He’s not the only thing I want. I need you, Anna. Six years on the road was too long. Too many hotel rooms, too much press, too many women who threw themselves at me. I’m ready to settle down and make Silverbell our home. I’ve made enough money racing to last us a lifetime. It’ll be nice to just get back to being me; working in the auto shop like I did when I was a teenager.”
“Do me a favor?”
“Anything.”
“Go easy on me. Ben’s been mine and mine only for years. It’ll be hard to share him.”
“How about this… the first few times we hang out, we do it as a family. We could go fishing at the lake or go down to Cooper’s Beach. This house has a pool. Does he like to swim?”
I dipped my head in a yes. “Mama and Papa have a pool at their house now. They live up the road from you, actually. After they retired, they decided to live off the beach.”
“I thought I saw them up here the other day. Good for them, seriously. They deserve it.”
My stomach churned. I didn’t want to have to say it, but I knew it needed to be said. “Raising Ben is a full time job, Ace. If you’re in this, you’re in for good. You will not break that little boy’s heart after he’s waited for a father all this time.” A part of me felt like maybe I was begging him not to break my heart, too.
“Do I need to go buy a ring?” The words were spoken so seriously.
I cocked my head to the side. “Excuse me?”
He lifted his hands to cup my cheeks. “You heard me. Do I need to go buy a ring to prove to you that I’m sticking around? I need you, too, Anna. It’s not just Ben. I may have been gone for six years, but not a day went by where I wasn’t wondering what you were doing, and wondering what would have happened if I hadn’t left. We’d probably be married by now, but I know that’s rushing things.”
He sighed. “I want to date you, and, eventually, I want you to have my last name. I want parental rights to help make decisions over Ben.”
I shook my head; the girl he’d known was long gone. “I’m not the same girl I once was, Ace. I’ve grown up a lot since the last time you saw me.”
His jaw formed into a straight line. “So have I, and I’m begging you for just a chance. We don’t have to tell anyone he’s mine for a while if you don’t want to. I don’t care, just… don’t tell me no.”
Before I could think about it, he was leaning over. Soft lips brushed against my own and brought memories to life. He still kissed the same way; even if it was a tad more aggressive than sweet. I had a feeling Julian McCormick was not a gentleman in the sack anymore. I could only imagine what that would be like.
I didn’t realize I’d stopped kissing him until he caught my attention. His brows furrowed over chocolate covered eyes, long lashes almost hiding the twinkle in them from view. “What’s wrong?”
I smiled at him. This very moment was almost perfect. “Nothing. Just happy. I’ve missed you, Ace.”
“Then let me show you how much I’ve missed you, too. Let me make love to you again.” I was helpless against his request. It’d been years, and all of a few days had passed, and I was ready to jump back into bed with him.
Our kiss sparked with passion, two heat seeking missiles headed toward one another to crash in the middle of ecstasy. I could feel the roughness of his hands abrading my delicate skin and sending a current of shivers down my spine. My name rumbled from his lips as he said it with such praise and admiration.
Each second his hands were on me, I grew warmer, more needy. He nibbled on my lower lip, teasing me and driving me insane, before slowly sucking it into his mouth. I clutched at him, hoping and praying that I could hold on and not fall with the cataclysmic earthquake of pleasure wrecking its way through my body.
ChapterSeven
She opened her mouth on a sigh, and I devoured it, thrusting my own tongue in to twine with hers in a dance for power. I wanted control, but I also wanted her to give it willingly. The longer we kissed, the harder my cock pressed against the zipper of my pants. When I lifted my head to look at her, I saw her glazed eyes and the breathlessness.