Page 48 of Daddy Wolf's Secret Baby

“I don’t think that anyone has put an age limit on it. Besides, you’re just having a sleepover. You aren’t buying a sportscar and having an affair with your much younger secretary.”

“You’re confused, Darlin’. That’s a midlife crisis and that happensbeforethe second childhood.”

They both giggled at the nonsensical conversation they were having. It had been a long time since Josiah had felt relaxed enough to be silly.

After they changed the sheets and cleaned themselves up, they slid between the silky sheets. Josiah reached for Zahra and pulled her close to him. She laid her head on his chest, with her long, blond hair flowing over his arm.

“I wanted to talk to you about something,” Josiah said.

He felt her stiffen up in his arms.

“You know, all conversations that start with those words or something similar aren’t automatically bad.”

“They aren’t?”

“No. Remember the last time I said it, I asked you to go to the gala with me.”

“Okay, I’ll give you that.”

“I want to talk about us.” He paused. “Over the last eleven years, I’ve thought of you often and always wondered what would have happened if I hadn’t been a jackass. I care about you a lot, as a woman, not just as the mother of my son. I would like to see where this relationship goes, although I think we should take it slow, not only for our sakes but also for Jace’s.”

“That sounds nice.”

“Nice?”

She giggled. “Yep. Nice.”

“I don’t think we should tell Jace that we are seeing each other. He might get his hopes up, and I don’t want to hurt him.”

Zahra sat up on one elbow and looked at him. “I agree, although he’ll figure it out. He’s very observant and very intelligent. I don’t know how much he knows about romantic relationships, because he’s ten, but kids at school talk a lot.”

“If he has questions or comments, I’m sure we’ll hear them. He doesn’t seem to be a kid who holds back his thoughts or feelings.”

“Nope. He isn’t.”

They talked for a few more minutes and Josiah realized that Zahra had fallen asleep with her head on his chest when she didn’t reply to one of his questions. He hated to disturb her, but his arm was starting to fall asleep.

Gently, he tried to move her without waking her. He moved away from her, putting her head on a pillow, and pulled his arm out. She muttered something unintelligible and curled upagainst him. He listened to her even breathing for a few minutes and then fell asleep holding her.

Josiah woke up the next morning to the smell of coffee and bacon. He pulled on his boxers and tux pants, since he didn’t have anything else to wear, and followed his nose.

“You’re just in time. I was about to go wake you up. I have onions, green peppers, jalapeños, cheese, and bacon for omelets. What would you like in yours?”

“Yes, please.”

She grinned and turned back to the stove.

“I’ve tried making omelets before. I always end up with scrambled eggs.”

“You just have to flick your wrist right when you turn them. The right pan and a large egg turner help, too. Can you pour the orange juice?”

This is a very cozy scene. I could get used to this.

The thought startled him.

“The glasses are in the cabinet to the right of the sink.”

“I was just thinking that I can’t remember the last time I had a homecooked breakfast that I cooked myself. I think it was when I was eighteen and moved out of Mom and Dad’s house.”

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