Page 7 of In His Eyes

I stand in the doorway while Dallas reads to Kellan, the little voices he does for each character bringing a smile to my face. Sharing Kellan’s time and affection with someone else wasn’t easy at first. It was just the two of us for so long. He’s my entire world, and I liked being his.

But Kellan has been noticeably happier since we moved in with Dallas. And, if I’m being honest, so have I. It feels like we’re safe here.

But I’m not ready to let my guard down yet. Part of me can’t trust that any of this is real. The part of me that worries everything will go to shit as soon as I get too comfortable.

Dallas finishes the book and tucks Kellan in with a hug and a kiss before I step inside. He moves out of the way and waits for me as I do the same. From the outside looking in, we seem like a normal, happy family.

This is the picture-perfect image I’ve always dreamed about. The kind of home I’ve wanted for my son.

“Goodnight, sweet boy.”

Kellan yawns, his eyes already drooping. “Night, Momma. Love you.”

“Love you more.”

I give him another quick kiss on the forehead before leaving with Dallas right behind me. An uncomfortable silence falls between us once we’re alone in the hallway together, the awkwardness of our little encounter in the kitchen earlier still in the forefront of my mind.

“Well, goodnight.” I give him a small wave of my hand, inching toward my bedroom door.

“I was actually hoping you’d have a drink with me so we could finish the conversation we started earlier.”

I chew on my bottom lip, considering his offer. Things got a little intense before dinner. There were butterflies fluttering around in my belly the entire time we were eating. It’s probably for the best if I lock myself away in my room for the night. Curiosity killed the cat and all that.

“I don’t know, I’m pretty tired,” I lie, letting out a big fake yawn.

He smirks. “All right. I’ll say what I need to say right here and make it brief then.”

My heart thunders in my chest as he steps closer, brushing my wild hair away from my face and over my shoulder. “Okay…”

“I’m really glad you’re here.”

His words awaken those butterflies again, the bastards flapping their wings with unnecessary vigor.

“Me too.”

“I tried to be a good brother. Tried to watch over him. But he was wild and reckless, and I think maybe a part of me was jealous of that. He was free, off living his life the way he wanted. And because of that, I turned my back on him.”

I shake my head. “What happened to Jackson wasn’t your fault. You’ve got to stop blaming yourself. You’re a good guy, Dallas. Look at everything you’ve done for me and my son. Kellan absolutely adores you.”

“I love that little guy so much. Having him in my life, having both of you around, has made me so happy. But my happiness also makes me feel incredibly guilty. Like I’m stepping into shoes my brother never got the chance to wear.”

His words melt what’s left of the icy exterior of my heart, and I wrap him in an embrace the same way he’d done me earlier. He seems a little thrown by the gesture at first, but his stiff body quickly softens, his arms tightening around me.

“Jackson would be grateful to you. As am I. Thank you for stepping up and being there for Kellan, for both of us, when you didn’t have to.” I stretch up and give him a kiss on the cheek without thinking, knowing the second my feet are flat again that it was a bad idea.

His eyes darken, his mouth slowly gravitating toward mine. He’s making his intentions clear, giving me plenty of time to put a stop to this. But I don’t want to. It’s been so long since someone kissed me. I’ve missed this feeling. My heart racing with anticipation and body buzzing with possibilities. The thrill of someone wanting me.

His mouth makes a soft landing as it connects with mine, his kiss gentle and slow as his tongue seeks mine out. I’m already desperate for more, already dreading the moment this all comes to an end. I dive my hands into his thick hair and deepen the kiss. His palms make their way to my ass, squeezing as he rubs his body against mine. The act causes the butterflies to migrate south to my lady bits, and I shamelessly moan into his mouth.

My head is swimming with lust by the time his lips leave mine, both of us panting as we try to catch our breath. With one kiss, Dallas managed to fan the dying embers of my sexual desire and turn them into a flame.

“All right, then.” He clears his throat, his eyes avoiding mine as he releases me and puts some distance between us. “Goodnight.”

He can’t seem to get away from me fast enough as he practically runs down the hallway.

Well, fuck.

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