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“I love that for both of you.” Leaning in, he kisses me. It’s slow and soft, and he makes no move to take things further.
There’s only one problem with that. I want him too. “Seth,” I murmur against his lips. “Can I ask you something?”
“Anything.”
“Will you stay?”
“Stay as in here? Tonight?” he asks for clarification. I’m sure he’s wondering what the hell is wrong with me when all I keep telling him is that he can’t be here when she wakes up. However, that’s exactly where he needs to be. It’s where all three of us want him to be, so why fight it?
“You sure you want that?”
“I’m sure. I’m too raw right now. My emotions are a mess, and well, I just want you here.”
“Then I’ll stay. Go get ready for bed. I’ll lock up.” He stands and offers me his hand to pull me up from the couch. I go to my room while he locks up the house and turns off the lights. By the time he’s standing in the doorway of my bedroom, I’m already under the covers. I’m fully clothed in the same pajamas as when he got here, but I feel naked. Exposed. The only light in the room is a small bedside lamp. My eyes follow his every move as he walks to the side of the bed with the lamp, the opposite side I’m lying on, and unbuttons his jeans. I watch as they slide to the floor, leaving him in nothing but boxer briefs and a T-shirt. Turning off the light, he climbs into bed.
“Come here,” he whispers.
With no hesitation, I slide as close to him as I can get and rest my head on his chest. He wraps his strong arms around me, and I melt into him. I can’t remember the last time a man held me. In fact, I don’t recall it ever happening. My hookup in college were just that, and Blake, Finley’s dad, that was… different. He wasn’t a loving, let me hold you close kind of guy. We spent one whirlwind week together before he had to ship out. At that time, I didn’t think I needed that. Besides, our time was so limited we didn’t get a chance to get to this point. Now, over three years later, it’s exactly what I need, and I’ve been lucky enough to find a man willing to give it to me.
“Night, baby.”
“Night.” I whisper my reply as his strength surrounds me, and the steady rhythm of his heart lulls me to sleep.
When the alarm goes off at 6:00 a.m., I will it to stop. Unfortunately, my superpowers must be on vacation because the blaring sound refuses to relent until I roll over and shut it off. Flopping back on the pillow, I hear heavy breathing.
Seth.
Turning to take him in, my heart flips over in my chest at what I see. Seth is curled on his side facing me, and my daughter is snuggled up tight against his chest. He has his arm around her, cradling her to him almost protectively. I don’t know what transpired that she’s in bed with us, but I do know that seeing him with her like this, knowing that sometime in the middle of the night he took care of her, that little tidbit of information, their unexpected bond is what pushes me over the edge. It’s the fine line between falling for him and knowing that this man owns a piece of my heart.
I’m in love with him.
I’ve been falling for him for months.
Careful not to wake them, I grab some clothes and make my way down the hall to the bathroom. My shower is quick as I rush through my morning routine. When I open the bathroom door, I hear giggles. Not just any giggles, but Finley giggles. Pure joy and happiness radiating in the sound.
“There’s Mommy.” Seth indicates to where I stand in the doorway of my bedroom.
“Mommy, Sef.” Finley points to Seth.
“I see. What are you doing in here?” I ask her.
“Monsters.” She scowls, and I have to bite my lip to keep from laughing.
“She woke up around one crying. I went in to check on her and she latched on and wouldn’t let go, so I brought her in here. I was just going to wait for her to fall back asleep and then take her back to her bed. I’ve heard Kendall preach routine enough to know sleeping in your bed, let alone with both of us, is a bad idea, but I fell asleep,” he says sheepishly.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t hear her.”
“She was barely whimpering when I heard her. I had to use the restroom so I was awake, waiting as long as possible to climb out of bed, not wanting to leave you when I heard her.”
It’s as if he fell from the pages of a book. Is this guy for real? “Thank you.”
“We had a sleepover, huh, Finny?” he asks. “Now, how about you go with Mommy to get ready and I’ll make us some breakfast.” He looks up at me. “Eggs and toast okay?”
“You don’t have to cook for us.”
“Are you kidding? The thought of taking care of the two of you makes my day. You ladies do what you need to do. I’ll handle breakfast.”
“Don’t you have to get ready?”
“Yeah, but I can shower and throw on some clothes in no time. Don’t worry about me.” He kisses the top of Finley’s head and climbs out of bed. My eyes rake over him as he bends over and slides into his jeans. “Mara,” he growls.
My head jerks up to his face. “Seth,” I counter.
“Baby, you can’t look at me like that. Not when Finny’s in the same room.”
“Sorry.” I shrug. I’m not. Not even a little bit am I sorry for looking at what the good Lord gave him.
“This weekend. I don’t care if it’s Friday or Saturday, hell, it can be Sunday. My parents offered to watch Finny so we can go out just the two of us. Will you consider it?”
“I don’t know. She’s only met them once and that was months ago.”
“They’ll spoil her rotten while we’re gone, that I can promise you. It’s not that I don’t want her with us. I do. It’s the look you just gave me and how that makes me feel. I can’t… touch you like I want while I know she’s here.”
“Married couples do it all the time.”
“Yes, but they have time to grow used to it. I need time with you, Mara. Adult time,” he says, emphasizing the word adult.
“I’ll think about it.”
“Thank you. Call Amelia, ask her about my folks. She’ll vouch for them.”
“It’s not that—” I start, but he holds up his hand to stop me.
“She’s your daughter. It’s your right and job to be cautious of who she spends time with. I understand that. If you’re not comfortable with my parents, then maybe Amelia?”
Amelia would be a good choice, but she’s been acting so strange lately. I guess strange is the wrong word. She’s more… closed off. There’s something going on with her, and no matter how many times I ask, I get the same “nothing’s wrong” reply.
“How about Saturday afternoon? That way we can pick her up in time for bedtime here?”
> “Perfect. Or if you wanted, the two of you could stay at my place. I know all her stuff is here, but I’d like my girls to be in my space too. I want to see your hair splayed out on my pillow, and I want Finny’s toys all over my living room.”
“Okay.”
“Yeah?”
“Yes.” I’m too far gone to pretend otherwise. Besides, I’d like to spend more time at his place. Finley and I have been there a couple of times for dinner, but this is different. We’re both going to be staying with him.
“Thank you.” He kisses my cheek and disappears down the hall to start breakfast.
“Sef,” Finley says, smiling and pointing where he just disappeared down the hall.
“Yeah, sweetie. I know. You love him too.” Lifting her into my arms, we go to her room to get her ready for the day. All the while, Seth’s deep timbre flows down the hall as he sings “My Girl” while making us breakfast.
Chapter Nine
Seth 9
* * *
It’s been two months since she moved here, and it’s hands down been the best two months of my life. Mara and I grow closer every day, and Finley… well, that little angel has my heart on a string. Who am I kidding? So does her momma. They make my life better. They make me better.
“Yo, Seth, you home?” Kent calls out.
“Back here,” I call back.
“This the one?”
“Yeah.” I pull my phone from my pocket and open my Pictures app. “This is her room at their house now. I want to create that here.”
“This is an awful lot of work to get them to move in with you.”
“It’s a couple of cans of paint, and you get beer and pizza out of the deal. What are you complaining about?”
“Oh, I’m not complaining. I’m just curious as to why you’re going through all the trouble. Not to mention, you’ve rehabbed this entire house the exact way you wanted it. Now you’re changing it.”
