Page 89 of Playing It Forward

I want to believe him. Oh, sweet mermaid, how I want to believe him. “You mean the baby, our little mermaid, is an important part of your life.”

His nostrils flare and a muscle in his jaw ticks. “Listen to me, sprite. You are an important part of my life. What we have is real. I want you. Not just because you’re having my baby. But because you’re you.”

I chew on my lip as I let those words sink in. Do I dare believe him?

“Come on, sprite. You’re the strongest woman I know. Don’t let fear rule you. Admit you want this to be real. I’m not going anywhere. I promise.”

I motion to the kitchen counter. “Good. Because someone has to eat all this food.”

“Serious as shit, Terri. I’m going to be here for you and the baby. I already cancelled my quarterback camp and told my agent I’m not available except for remote obligations in March.”

My mouth gapes open. “In March?”

He nods. “When the baby is due. You’re not going through this alone. I won’t let you.”

My resistance crumbles. How could it not? He’s giving up things he cares about for me. For our baby. “One date.”

His lips tip up. “Yeah?”

“Yes. One date and we’ll take it from there.”

“I’ll take it,” he murmurs before melding his lips to mine.

I fall into the kiss. I allow his lips and mouth to alleviate all my worries about the future. About whether he’s staying. About whether this baby will make it.

For now, there are no worries. There’s just Nolan. His taste. His smell. His presence surrounding me and grounding me.

Chapter 29

I didn’t realize my sprite is a Mermaid Mini Golf hustler.

Nolan

I knock on Terri’s door. Excitement for this evening fills me. Going on a date shouldn’t be a big deal. But it is for Terri. Which means it is for me, too.

The door opens and there she is. I half expected her to hide from me.

I kiss her cheek. “Good evening, sprite. You look gorgeous.”

Her cheeks darken. “Thank you.”

Progress. She didn’t fight me. She accepted the compliment.

“Are you ready?”

She motions to her sundress. “Is my outfit okay?”

Her outfit is more than okay. It’s strapless and shows off her honey colored skin. The bodice molds to her breasts before it flares out. I resign myself to spending the night hard and horny.

“Your outfit is perfect.”

“What are we doing?” she asks as I escort her to my SUV.

I lift her up and set her in her seat. Her breath hitches. She loves it when I carry her. Which means I plan to carry my little sprite as often as possible.

I kiss her nose. “Mermaid Mini Golf followed by a sunset picnic at Mermaid Point.”

She smiles. “Sounds fun.”