Page 115 of The Plan

I break into a laugh, and he smiles at me like he’s never heard my laugh. “There it is.”

“What?”

“That laugh of yours that I love.” I look between his eyes, but that weight in my chest only feels heavier. He’s so damn perfect. I shake my head and his brows furrow at whatever look is on my face. “What?”

“You shouldn’t want to be with me after what I did, Sire.”

“Vid—” I take a step back, but he quickly grabs my hand, keeping me close. “You were hurt after losing the baby. You were angry and said things you didn’t mean. That doesn’t make you an evil person.”

I tilt my head down, but he immediately forces it back up. “I want you, Vidia. I think it makes perfect sense that we ‘just get back together.’ Why wouldn’t we?” I offer him a soft smile, and his face only lights up.

“I’ll sleep on it,” I say warningly because he looks too happy.

“So you’re not saying no?”

“I’m not.” A smile grows on his face, but I quickly take away his false hope. “I’m not saying yes either, Sire.”

“But you’re not saying no?” I let out a sigh because he's only going to hear what he wants.

“I’m not saying no.” He’s grinning from ear to ear and pulls me in again. I melt into his embrace as he wraps his arms aroundme. I can’t believe I lasted these past four years without him. I know I said this doesn’t mean we’re back together, but I don’t think I want us tonotbe together any longer.I just need to get over this guilty feeling, and maybe we can.

I turn my head to the side at the sound of a cry. Isabelle walks, rubbing her eyes, and I remember we aren’t alone.

“Don’t move. I’m going to get her back to bed.” I give him a small nod, and he kisses my forehead, then walks over to Isabelle and lifts her.

“You didn’t make me milk.” He wipes her tears and carries her into the kitchen.

“You were sleeping.” I watch them interact, adoring how much he loves this little girl. He makes her a bottle but then puts the cold milk into a sippy cup when she says she’s a big girl. “Big girls don’t cry for milk.”

“I didn’t.” She tilts her head down and sniffles. “I miss daddy.” I tilt my head to the side at how upset she sounds, and my heart breaks for her. Jackson apparently didn’t give many details as to where he was going; she sounded excited to stay over earlier, but she obviously wants her dad.

“Hey, I thought Uncle Sigh and I were better than your dad?” She looks over at me, noticing my presence, and smiles.

“You sleep over too?”

“Yup. It’s a big sleepover.” Her smile widens, and she lets out a yawn.

“Okay, time for bed.” Sire walks out of the kitchen with her, but she stops him.

“I want to sleep with Vidia!” They both look over at me, waiting for a response.

Sire senses my hesitation and quickly steps in. “You two can have my bed. I can take the couch.” Before I can decline, Isabelle does for me.

“No, we all sleep in your room. It’s a slumber party.” Sire looks over at me, and I don’t miss the smirk on his face. He’s been trying to convince me to sleep in his bed while he takes the couch for weeks.

“Okay, let me change into my pajamas.” I give in for Isabelle’s sake, but Sire smiles like I’m doing it for him. Isa doesn’t respond and drinks out of her sippy cup, already falling back to sleep in his arms. I change in the living room and then meet them in Sire’s bedroom.

When I walk in, Isabelle is already fast asleep in the middle of the bed. My head turns to the sound of footsteps, and Sire walks out of his closet shirtless with a pair of black basketball shorts. My eyes linger on his bare chest for a second, then land on his eyes, but he’s scanning my body, probably trying to figure out if I have pants on.

He clears his throat, then walks over to his bed and taps the place beside him.Nice try.I walk to the other side of the bed and climb in with Isabelle between us. When I steal a glance at Sire, he’s looking at me with everything but innocence.

I feel my face heat under his gaze and quickly rise from his bed. “She’s already sleeping. I’ll just sleep on the couch.”

“No.” Before I can walk away, he shakes Isabelle, waking her. “She’s awake, and she wants you to sleep with us. Right, Isa?”

I look down at her, and she looks right at me with her big, tired puppy dog eyes. She reaches a hand out to me, then opens and closes it, calling me over. I look over at Sire, and he has an innocent smile on his face.

He reaches over to my side and lifts the covers. I mouth,asshole,but he only smirks and taps the bed. Swatting his hand away, I climb back in and turn so my back is facing him.

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