Page 107 of Saddle Storm

After his cup of soup and a thorough tooth brushing, I settle Max into bed for the night, dodging his million questions from candy to costumes and of course, Silas.

I move to my bedroom for a moment to breathe. To settle my pounding heart. How did I not think about Jasper in all this media stuff? No doubt he’ll recognize me and know exactly who the kid with me belongs to.

But he doesn’t belong to him.

And Daddy made very sure that Jasper would never come back to claim him. Not unless he feels like signing up for eighteen years of child support including the nine years he’s missed.

I have to believe that’s enough.

Silas steps into the room, stopping a foot behind me.

I can’t think straight.

I should ask him to leave. Tell him Max is getting too attached. I’m getting too attached.

Between my clinginess and dishonesty, he’ll no doubt agree it’s for the best.

And that’ll be that.

Instead, I flip around and blurt out, “Stay.”

His grin is slow and easy. His hands gentle on my hips. “Come here.” He takes my hands and pulls me between his legs as he sits on the edge of my bed, his blue eyes looking up at me. “I’m sorry.”

“You’re sorry that you can’t stay tonight?”

“That too. But no, I’m sorry I backed you into a corner out there. It wasn’t fair and that’s not the man I want to be for you.”

I rest my arms over his shoulders. “Under different circumstances, I might like you backing me into a corner.”

His mouth tips with temptation. “Come on, I’ll get you into bed and I’ll be back in the morning with breakfast.”

I nod and climb onto the bed, sitting up against the headboard, bringing my knees to my chest. “I was young,” I tell him. “But . . . younger than twenty.” I look down at my sheets. “That night . . . shouldn’t have gone down the way it did.”

He watches me like there’s so much he wants to ask. “So there was no rodeo?”

I shake my head with a bitter grin. “It was . . . a different kind of celebration.”

He sits on the other side of bed, facing me.

“His parents had more money than mine. They got the lawyer. All I had was . . . my choice, I guess. They wanted two things. Forget he’s the father and not hold him accountable for eighteen years.”

“And what did you want?’’

“To never see him again,” I rasp. “My mother said we didn’t need some fancy lawyer to make that happen. Especially if he essentially wanted the same thing. We refused to sign every version of their so-called agreement. They kept raising the dollar amount. None of it was close to even covering the first two years. I was growing tired of the back and forth. Finally, Daddy said we’ll take their last offer. So long as they add a clause that says if he ever makes contact again, he’ll be liable for the full eighteen years of the child’s life.”

I watch Silas take it all in.

“So don’t worry—he’s not coming back here.”

A frown flashes across his face, but then he’s scooting up on his knees until he’s in front of me. Releasing my tight grip around myself and holding my face. “I’m sorry you had to go through that.” He kisses my temple. “That I wasn’t here for you, Storm. I wish I knew. I’d have made him pay.”

I shake my head. “I don’t have regrets. I protected Max’s future by not having this man show up when he grows a conscience in ten years. And then . . .” My voice cracks and my eyes water. “I don’t know, try to prove I’m an unfit mother and take him away from me.” I swallow back the threat of tears. “It took me years to realize this man manipulated me that night. And I never wanted anything to do with him again.”

“You never will. I’ll make sure of it.” After a moment, Silas pushes off the bed, sheds his clothes down to his boxers, and settles next to me, wrapping me in his strong arms. “You know I was never really leaving tonight, right?”

I smile, settling into him. Then close my eyes as I hum, “I wish it was you.”

He kisses my forehead gently. “It is now,” he whispers. “And it always will be.”