Page 14 of The One He Desires

“My ex is back.”

Sincere’s face balls, and the area around his eyes become tight with those four words. It forces me to provide him with high level background on my situation. The more I share with him, the more his countenance shifts in displeasure. A small part of me takes pride in his reaction, but I’m also a little preoccupied with appreciating the reaction. I don’t know what BN is gonna do now that he knows about Milan.

My stomach tightened with every word that Journee shared about the boy responsible for Sweet Face’s existence.

“So, it’s been four years of silence? Four years of you carrying the load alone? But now, he wants to pop up with demands he doesn’t deserve.”

The urge to find out this boy's name, because he isn’t a man, makes my blood run hot. It amazes me that some men don’t appreciate the blessing of having a child. From what I’ve seen of Journee, she’s a woman that any man would want. Not to mention how well she mothers her child. Whoever this man is has to have the brains of a snail.

“I don’t understand what’s changed. Why now? My baby is three, and we have been doing just fine without his dumbass. I don’t want him in her life. I don’t even want him in her space. But legally, I don’t know how I can stop him. He didn’t officially give up his rights, and I don’t have the letter anymore. I was so pissed that he wrote that mess that I burned it. Why the hell did I do that?”

When tears slide out of the corners of Journee’s eyes, I fight the urge to ball my hands into fists. My issue isn’t with Journee but this situation.

“Come here.” My tone is softer than it was a minute ago as my pulse races and my body heats like an inferno from my suppressed anger.

Thankfully, Journee walks from behind the counter and makes her way to me. The minute she’s within reach, I pull her into my arms and hold her against my body.

“I’m here.” Truer words have never been spoken as I rock Journee in my arms.

I’m not sure if I’m providing any comfort for her. But she’s definitely giving me a reason to hold her tighter for a little longer.

“How do some men deny their child and then decide to come back like everything should be okay?” Her words are muffled before she lifts her head from my chest.

The presence of her misty and wet eyes pulls at my heartstrings as I fight the urge to kiss her. I don’t have an answer for that person’s actions. But what I know in this moment is that I will never be a man who causes her to look like she does right now. I also confirm that my attraction to her isn’t surface-deep. I want this woman in the worst way. I want to be the reason she smiles. I want to be the reason she laughs. I also want to be the reason only tears of pleasure slide down her face.

“I don’t have an answer for you, and I honestly don’t think you’ll find a logical one.”

“Yeah, you’re probably right.”

“What time do you close?”

“Whatever time it is now. I’m done for today.”

Journee walks away and to the front door, flips the sign to closed, and turns the lock. I nod because dealing with customers in her current state wouldn’t be wise for either of them.

“I need to complete my closing tasks, but you can keep Milan company while I do so.”

“Oh, I can definitely do that.”

My attraction deepens with that statement as a small smile upturns her lips. I give her a smile of my own as she walks past me back around the counter. The subtlety of her perfumes tickles my nostrils as I watch the sway of her hips. I momentarily forget what she said until I see her bend down and speak to my little buddy.

“Your Cere is here, baby.”

My chest expands with warmth at hearing those words because of the implication of the truth within them. But while I might be Sweet Face’s Cere, I’m gonna ensure from today on that I also become Journee’s Sin.

“Cere!” The scurry of little feet sounds before Sweet Face makes an appearance around the counter.

I drop to my knees and open my arms wide as she runs at full toddler speed to reach me. Laughter escapes my mouth when her body collides into mine.

“Oh, Journee.”

“Hm?”

“I’m going to see that you two get out of here safely. But can I get your number so I can make sure y’all make it home as well?”

As I watch Journee’s eyes brighten for the first time since my arrival, my heart leaps. This moment feels monumental and one that I will forever cherish. But it also makes me sad and angry that someone would give up on her before she even took her first breath. But his loss with these two is definitely my gain.

I feel like I’m walking on clouds the next day as I walk into the firm toward my office. Not giving myself an out when thoughts of driving by Cocoa Luxe led me to comfort Journee and play hide-and-seek with Sweet Face at the end of an otherwise mundane workday. But the highlight of the night was when Journee didn’t turn me down when I asked for her phone number. I phrased it as my desire to make sure they got home safely. Thankfully for me, she agreed without hesitation.