Page 67 of Long Road Home

“Want to get Toby and get out of here?”

She nodded against my chest. “I think I’m all partied out.”

“Know it’s been a long night. Know Toby hasn’t slept in his bed for a night. But I want you both to come home with me. My home.”

“Jordan—”

“I want to show him the room I fixed up for him this week. And I want you in my bed.” I’d spent all day thinking of tonight, when I could get her into my bed, touching her more than we did last night. That wasn’t going to happen, now, but I wasn’t leaving her. And I wanted them in my home. “Nothing has to happen, but I want to hold you.”

She sniffed and tilted her head back, shimmering eyes filled with tears and a wicked little gleam in them peered up at me. “Well, maybe a little bit could happen?”

***

“So I take it you like it?”

Toby’s eyes scanned his room again, settled on the life-size cut out of his favorite basketball player for the Houston Rockets. Other than that, I hadn’t done much to the room but throw a navy-blue comforter on the bed with some matching sheets. I’d also bought a bookshelf and a dresser for him to hopefully, fill someday.

“You have James Hardin on my wall.”

The thing had been a pain in the ass to install, and I’d wanted it to be perfect. All the cussing I’d done the other night putting it up after hating watching them leave my house was now worth it. Seeing his face light up with joy, and Destiny’s matching one after the night she’d had made every cuss word, every frustrating minute, absolutely worth it.

“How about we hit the hay,” Destiny said, moving toward her son.

I gestured toward the hall bath. “I’ve got the bathroom stocked with everything you should need.”

Destiny’s stuff was in my bathroom. I’d gone to the store and stocked up on items I’d seen in her bathroom the other night. Yeah, I’d snooped. Wouldn’t apologize for it, either.

If Toby thought anything of them spending the night at my place, he didn’t show it. He grabbed his overnight bag he’d packed for Rebecca’s the night before and took it with him to the hall. “Thanks, Jordan. I’m good, though.”

I waited until the door closed in the hallway and turned to Destiny. Before I could say anything, she had her hands at my cheeks, pulling me down, and planting her lips right on mine.

“Thank you.” She yanked back and grinned up at me. A smile so large and free I didn’t think I’d see that after what happened earlier. “Thank you. You’re the best man I’ve met. You know that, Jordan?”

My jaw clenched tight. “I’m glad you think so.”

“I do. I always have.”

I slid my mouth over hers, softly, slowly, soaking in the silky feel of her lips, the quickening of her breath, but pulled back without taking it further. The last thing Toby needed was the visual of me and his mom making out in his bedroom right before he went to bed.

“I’ll go make sure the house is closed down while you get Toby settled. Meet you in my room?”

“You got it.”

I kissed her cheek and hurried out of there. Downstairs, I double checked the locks on the doors and ensured I’d closed the garage door. I took a few extra minutes and prepared the coffee for the morning and by the time I was back upstairs, the door to Toby’s room was open. A hint of light showed from beneath telling me he was in bed, ready for sleep.

A strange emotion pulsed through my veins.

My son was in my house, in his bed, for the first night ever.

Before I debated further, I went to his door and pushed it open. He was on his side, staring at the image of James Hardin, and turned to me as I walked in. “This is really cool.”

“I’m glad you think so. You have fun tonight?”

I went to the side of his bed, sat at the edge like I’d done it every night. He still froze occasionally when I touched him and this close moment would give him reason.

“Yeah. The kids are really cool.” He yawned, and I ran my hand over the top of his head. “I like it here.”

“Good.” I could barely choke out the word. Helikedit here. In Carlton. At my sister’s ranch. My house. I didn’t know exactly what he was referring to, and it didn’t matter. Hopefully he liked it all and he’d be on my side when it came to convincing Destiny not to return to Friendswood. “Sleep tight, okay?”

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