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Titus would be crushed if we told him too soon and he didn’t get the baby brother or sister he was suddenly eager to have.
As soon as the dishes were done and the kitchen was clean, I put Titus to bed and texted Ryan the words no one in a relationship ever wanted to hear: “We need to talk.”
Ryan
We need to talk.
The most dreaded four words in the English language. Four words no man ever wanted to hear, especially from the woman he was trying to claim as his own.
But this was Persephone and she needed to talk, so I slipped my feet into a pair of sneakers and made the fifty foot walk next door, where she waited for me on her front porch, with a worried expression.
“Hey.”
For just a second, she perked up and offered me a smile, but her greeting came out on a sigh. “Hey, yourself.”
“What’s wrong?” If this was one of those it’s not you, it’s me speeches, I didn’t need to sit down.
“Titus. He wants a sibling.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah.” Persephone nodded, a crooked smile on her face as she patted the seat beside her. When I sat down she took my hand and told me all about his desire for a kid brother or sister, and how he wanted to know why we weren’t together.
‘That kid is persistent. He said the same thing to me a few weeks ago, minus the plea for a brother or sister.”
Surprise flashed in Persephone’s eyes. “He did? Is that why you asked me out?”
I barked out a laugh. “Hell no. I mean, I would do just about anything for Titus, but he doesn’t get to dictate my life that way. I want you because I want you. Persephone. I have for a long time, and this, what’s happening between us right now? This is me, taking my shot.” I stared at her for a long time, eyes wide open, heart laid bare because I wanted her to see the truth of my words. I needed her to see it.
“Okay.” She nodded, her thinking expression firmly in place. “I believe you, but Ryan we have to be careful. Very careful. I don’t want to do anything that might hurt your relationship with Titus. He sees you as his father.”
Heat bloomed in my chest at her words. “And I see him as my son. My little boy, in all the ways that matter.”
“I know.”
“He asked me to go with him to the father-son camping trip. I said yes, of course.”
Surprised colored her expression and then a wide, slow smile appeared. “You hate camping.”
“I do, but I love that kid. And he needs to learn to hate camping all on his own.”
A loud laugh exploded out of her and Persephone smacked both hands over her mouth, expression wide-eyed as if she’d been caught doing something wrong. “You’re the best, Ryan. The absolute best.”
It felt good to hear her utter those words, and I smiled. “Don’t you forget it, bae.” When I wrapped an arm around Persephone, she leaned into my embrace and sighed contentedly. “It’s because I learned from the best. Clearly.”
“I’m scared, Ryan. Totally scared, and the last thing I want is to mess this up.”
“Me too. I think we’re doing pretty good so far.” Hell, I thought we were doing better than good, both in and out of the bedroom. “No major fights, yet. And talking has never been a problem with us, so I’m optimistic.”
“Me too. Cautiously optimistic.”
I held her close and kissed her forehead because I could. Because she was mine. “All we have to do is keep being honest with each other, like admitting we’re both scared shitless, and I think we’ll be fine. Better than fine.”
Her heart was in her big violet eyes when she pulled back. “You think it’s really that simple?”
“I think that’s all we have to do, and that’s simple. The hard part is doing that. Saying what’s on your mind, what’s in your heart, it isn’t always easy. Most of the time it’s scary as hell, but a very wise woman once told me that overcoming fear can be its own reward.”
“Wise?” She huffed out a laugh. “She sounds full of it, if you ask me.”
“It’s a good thing I didn’t ask you.” I tapped the tip of her nose and laughed at her shocked expression.
“You’re lucky that you’re my best friend in the whole world, otherwise I’d gift you with a knuckle sandwich, mister.”
“Really? Didn’t you take an oath to do no harm or something?”
She laughed again and shrugged before she situated herself on my lap and cupped my face. “There won’t be any harm involved. I promise.” Her lips made the softest, sweetest contact with mine. Her lips were soft and sure as they danced with mine. Her tongue met mine, massaged it, teased it and slid deeper. Our mouths fused together, like two flames becoming one.
