I turn to kiss him again, but he placates me with a chaste peck on the cheek. “I have to go.” He pats my thigh. “Sammy’s with Kiely, and I promised her I’d be back before bedtime.”
“Oh…right…sure.” My heart deflates like it’s been pierced with an ice pick. Of course his daughter needs to come first. I understand, but…
“Hey, why the tears?”
“It’s nothing.” I guess I need to get used to having tiny little scraps of him and be happy with it. But why does it feel like a brush-off.
“Jesus…don’t cry. You know I can’t handle tears.” He pushes his hand through his thick hair. “Oh, shit! You thought I just came here to… Fuck, I’m such an asshole. That’s not the way I meant it. I swear. I was going to ask you what your schedule’s like.”
“Pretty free until Tuesday. I have a short late morning meeting tomorrow. Then I’m free. Why?”
“I was wondering if you’d come over to my place tonight? Spend the night with me. After your meeting tomorrow, maybe we can spend the day together? Do something with Kiely, if you're okay with that? I love being with you, and not just in bed.”
“I…I can do that. Let me just pack a small bag. Are you sure? What about Kiely?”
“She’s going to have to get used to having you around, seeing as I’m in love with you and all.”
“Okay. Let me get ready.” I smile.
I move to climb out of bed, but Jace pulls me back. “And tonight…when I get you all to myself in my bed…I’m in charge.”
“So what you're saying is I’m in for some manhandling?”
“So much manhandling,” he growls.
“Looking forward to it, Hot Stuff.” I grin as he kisses a tear away. “I can’t wait.”
“One more thing.” He blows out a breath, looking worried. “I may have made the promise to bring home cotton candy ice cream. I don’t even know where to get it.”
This silly man. He’s having anxiety…over ice cream? Lord, this man. This serious, broody, wonderful, generous man has so much love in his heart to give. Maybe he just needs a little guidance, someone to show him how to share that love. I want to be that person. I want to be his person.
“I know the perfect place,” I assure him. “Let’s go sugar up your child before bedtime.”
“Sounds like a perfect plan.”
A little while later, it warms my heart as Kiely’s face lights up when she sees me. I swear, the kid is more excited I’m here than she is about the double scoop of pink and blue ice cream, loaded with gummy bears.
After Sammy devours his double chocolate fudge cone, he laughs when we kindly kick him out. I love how loyal and protective Sammy is over his little brother, though Jace towers over him. It reminds me of my relationship with Lilly.
The three of us snuggle underneath a fuzzy blanket on the couch and watch some Disney movie about race cars. Everything feels…right. When Kiely falls asleep between us, and Jace reaches for my hand and smiles over at me, it feels normal and so damn sweet.
For the first time in my life, I have something to hold on to. Something to ground me. Something meaningful. Something real.
I’ve never been so afraid of having something taken away from me.
Chapter Nineteen
Charlotte
I blink my eyes open and glance at the clock on the nightstand, grumpy that it’s only six thirty in the morning. I roll over with a frown, disappointed to discover the sheets cool, and the bed empty.
The enticing scent of coffee floats in the air, compelling me to get my tired ass out of bed. I force myself up with a groan, feeling like a zombie due to the lack of sleep last night. After Jace carried a sleeping Kiely to her bed and tucked her in, we spent many hours making love in his big bed before we both collapsed from exhaustion.
I make my way to the bathroom, my entire body feeling like I did an intense cardio workout. After taking care of business, I spend a moment trying to rectify the tangled big hair on top of my head. I brush my teeth and throw on one of Jace’s T-shirts that fits me like a nightshirt.
I pad into the kitchen where a sexy man is scrambling eggs in a glass bowl at the counter. “Good morning.” I sneak up behind him, snaking my arms around his waist. I don’t miss that his body tenses for a split second before he relaxes.
Jace turns around, drawing me into a warm hug. “Morning, beautiful.” He kisses the top of my hair. “You sleep well?”
“Yes. Did you…after…”
A little while after we dozed last night, I woke to Jace groaning in his sleep. He started panting, his body thrashing around like he was fighting. I rubbed his back, attempting to soothe him. Speaking softly, I calmly roused him from his nightmare, barely avoiding a punch in the face.
He finally woke, sweating profusely, and his heart was pounding like a drum. He seemed embarrassed, and barely let me touch him at first, so I went and got him a glass of water. After he settled, and his breathing returned to normal, I snuggled into him. Wrapping my arms around him seemed to soothe him, and we both fell back to sleep pretty quickly.
Jace apologized for not warning me about his nightmares. Then he revealed that I was the first woman to share his bed for something other than sex. I’m not sure how often he gets these nightmares, but I think we should talk about it later. I used to get them a lot after Zach died. I know how mentally and physically draining they are. Being back home is a struggle for him. Everything is new to Jace, including our relationship. I want to be patient with him. I’m trying to tread lightly here, but it might be a good idea for him to talk to someone about it.
“I slept enough. Thank you for last night.”
“I didn’t do much.”
“You did more than you know. You being here…calms me. Thank you.” He frames my face with his large hands and kisses me thoroughly. My lady parts, that were sore a moment ago, are suddenly invigorated, and I'm ready to drag him back to bed.
“You’re up early.” I check my hormones, knowing Kiely will be awake shortly.
“A habit that’s been drilled into my system.” He releases me and reaches for an empty mug sitting next to the Keurig. “Coffee?”
His chest is bare, and his sleepy hair is mussed to perfection, enhancing his sexiness. He has on a fitted pair of gray sweatpants making his ass…squeezable.
“Sure.” I move to where he’s standing with a smile, gripping a handful of his right cheek. “Intravenously, please.” He chuckles, placing a pod in the machine. I nod when he holds up the vanilla creamer from the fridge. I lean against the counter, and he hands me the coffee he fixed to perfection. “I need all the caffeine today. Someone kept me up all night.”
“That’s a shame.” He starts to kiss my neck. “Hope he was worth it.”
“He was…satisfactory,” I say with a mischievous grin, before taking a long sip from the cup.
“Satisfactory, huh?” He grins. “I guess I’ll just have to do better next time. Stay again tonight?” He moves away awkwardly like he’s unsure and busies himself at the counter again preparing breakfast.