Page 84 of Saving You

“Yeah, my daughter,” I say.

The kitchen is silent except for the sound of the dishes as we place them in the sink. I turn and look at Matt and Grayson. Matt’s got a quizzical expression while Grayson’s got his eyebrow quirked.

“What?” I ask, a little irritated these fuckers won’t just spit it out.

“That’s just a big declaration. Have you discussed this with Bailey? Are you going to adopt her? What about her biological father? Does Charlie want this? It just seems like there are a lot of other things that need to be addressed with this declaration,” Grayson says.

“Are they permanently moving in with you? Is Bailey getting rid of their place?” Matt adds.

I leave the dishes in the sink and turn to face them, spreading my legs shoulder-width apart and crossing my arms over my chest. I look at Josh, who’s remained silent this entire time.

“Anything to add?” I grind out.

He holds his hands out in front of him, palms out. “Nope, unlike these fuckers, I know what it’s like to be head over heels for your girl. I also know what it means when you’ll do anything for them. You may have me beat by falling for two of them, but I know the feeling.”

I nod at him and move my stare over to Matt and Grayson. “First, no, I hadn’t discussed it with Bailey, it just came out. I love both of them, and I plan on marrying Bailey one day. And if they both say yes, I do plan on adopting Charlie. She may not share my blood, but I will always see her as mine. I will do whatever Charlie and Bailey are comfortable with. Whatever they want. As for her biological father, the man is only looking to get back with Bailey. I don’t believe he has an actual interest in his daughter. Which is a damn shame because she’s an amazing little girl. As for their place, I have no plans on them ever moving out of my place unless I’m moving with them.” I run a hand through my hair, allowing the next words to really soak in. “They have ingrained themselves into me so much that I’m not sure I’d live if they left me. Those girls saved me. I don’t think they’ll ever be able to truly understand just how much they saved me. Because of them, I wake up looking forward tothe day. I’m no longer just going through the motions.”

The three of them nod, knowing I just told them more about my emotions and how I’ve been since coming back than I ever have. I make eye contact with Grayson.

“I told her about Tyler,” I say.

His jaw drops. I haven’t even told him about what happened with him. He met Tyler one of the times we were home on leave and he knows he didn’t come back, but that’s all he knows.

CHAPTER 30

Bailey

I’m entirely in my feelings as I process how Caleb — in front of his friends, the people closest to him — claimed my daughter as his. No questions about it, called her his daughter. He’s brought so much into our lives. A new friend group that’s more like family. His family has embraced us wholeheartedly, and he makes me feel safe. He brought us into his home after one of the worst experiences of my life. I don’t think I could love this man more.

Needing to show him just how much he means to me with more than words, I change into black lace lingerie after I finish my shower and stand at the foot of the bed. Caleb steps into the room. His eyes hungrily eat up the sight of me, and it sends a thrill through me.

His pupils dilate, and he licks his lips as he takes measured steps towards me. My chest is rising and falling so quickly I can feel the hem of the babydoll grazing across the tops of my thighs.

“Fucking hell,” he rasps as his finger reaches out and trails the edge of the fabric covering my breasts.

His slight touch sends goosebumps across my skin. I watch as his eyes trail the movements of his finger. His pupils are so large I almost can’t see the steel grey anymore.

“What do you want to do?” I ask breathlessly.

His eyes snap to mine, filled with hesitation. “I’m not going to do those things. I don’t want to cross a boundary that will scare you.”

His features soften as he says that, but I know deep in my bones this man would never hurt me. In the same way I know the sun will rise tomorrow, that two plus two is four, and I need oxygen to breathe, I know Caleb will never hurt me.

Resolved, I say, “What do you want? I trust you.”

He stares at me intensely before he gives his head a slight shake. He opens his mouth, and I blurt, “Pineapple.”

His brows draw together in confusion.

“My safe word. Pineapple. I promise that if something goes too far, I’ll use my safe word.”

His eyes widen, and I reach across my body, slowly pushing one strap of the babydoll down.

His eyes are stuck to the movement.

“Please, tell me what you want.” My voice is soft, and it seems to snap something in him.

His hand comes to my neck as he grasps it, not tightly, but in a possessive manner that sends heat radiating through me and has my pussy clenching.

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