Page 46 of Keeping Promises

A moment of silence passes between us, but it’s a comforting silence. I look down at my fidgeting hands.

“You know, you don’t talk about her much.” Hadley places her hand over mine, and I flip my hand so that our palms align and fingers link. Her hand fits perfectly in mine. “Your mom, that is.”

“I only talk about her and my father to Ben, and honestly, not that often. But they’ve been on my mind a lot lately. I was only ten when they died. Ben managed to raise me and make a life for himself. My parents would be proud of him.” Me? Not so much. “Ben will make a great dad one day. He had the best one led by example.”

“Hey, don’t do that.” Her stern voice surprises me. “Don’t sell yourself short, Asher. You’re going to be a great father. Look at you now compared to the first night we met at Eiffel Park.” Jesus, that seems like a lifetime ago. The faith that Hadley has in me is honestly astounding. She makes me want to be a better man, a better father.

I wish my dad were here to talk to him about everything as I prepare for fatherhood. Did he share these same nerves that I had before he became a father?

Hadley gasps, and I worry something is wrong, but her smile says something else. “I’m not the only one who thinks you’re gonna be a great daddy.”

I cock my head to the side, unsure what she means when she pulls my hand closer and places it on her belly.

Kick.

“Holy fuck!” I just felt my daughter kick, I think? “Is that her?” I ask, dumbfounded, needing confirmation.

Hadley laughs. “Well, I sure hope so; otherwise, we may have some questions at our next appointment.”

My face falls, realizing what she’s saying. Sensing my nerves are out of control, she reassures me, “Asher, I’m only kidding. That’s her in there. I started feeling her kick the other day when you weren’t here. I hadn’t really felt it since, but ooo, I felt that one.” I wasn’t here, and I missed the first kick. I don’t want to miss anything. I want to be here for all the moments. “These are whoppers.”

Another kick.

“She must know you’re here.”

I lean down to her belly. I always thought this was crazy on television or movies, but now I wish I had done it sooner. “Hey, baby girl, I’m your daddy.”

Another kick.

“Wow, sweetheart. Are you going to be a soccer player one day? Your mom and I can’t wait to meet you.” I place a kiss on the bump—my lips linger on her skin.

That’s my girl in there. My eyes lift to meet Hadley’s, glistening with unshed tears. Not only is this woman carrying my child, but she is beginning to carry my heart.

I lift from her bump, closing the distance between us. I run my fingers through her curly hair. If she doesn’t want this, she would have pushed me away already. She must want this as much as I do. We haven’t allowed ourselves a moment like this since the moment we dry humped like teenagers till she orgasmed in my lap. But right now, at this moment, rules that we have or haven’t set in place be damned. I need her like I need my next breath of air.

“Asher,” she whimpers as my lips cover hers in a kiss that starts delicate and gets more and more heated with each swipe of my tongue against hers.

Sitting on the floor of our daughter’s nursery, we kiss until we’re both breathless. Hadley Kincaid came into my life like the perfect storm in a five-foot-six body. Any other woman, I would have already had her naked under me squirming under my touch, fucking her seven ways until Sunday, but Hadley deserves to be savored like the goddess she is.

I want to do this right, and not just tonight—I want to be the father and man worthy of making my parents proud.

Hadley moans as I trail kisses down her neck, rediscovering her sweet spot.

“What do you need, baby?” I ask, my voice husky and full of lust for her.

“You. I just need you.”

I reluctantly break the kiss, but I have bigger plans for her. I stand and reach under Hadley’s thighs, rising with her in my arms as I make my way to her bedroom, where I plan to spend the entire night worshiping and savoring every inch of her. The invisible rope tied around our waist keeping us apart has now snapped, and I’ll be damned if I put space between us again.

“Oh my God, Asher, don’t drop me.” She shrieks as I carry her through the doorway to her room.

“Don’t worry. I know I’ve got precious cargo in my arms.” My hold on her tightens to calm her nerves even though I know that I would never drop her.

Her lips lock onto the skin at the base of my neck, and when she sucks gently, pulling the skin between her teeth, I am grateful to have held her tighter because my body just about becomes Jell-O, ready to give in to her every demand.

“Asher, I need you inside me,” she pants as I set her down gently on the comforter.

“Oh, trust me, baby, I’ll be inside you soon enough. But I have months of orgasms to catch up on. The only time you’ll be spending with your posse is if I’m using it on you. Got it?” Fuck, the image of her in my head, squirming under my touch with the added vibration of her toys, has me ready to explode. I need to calm down before I embarrass myself. I need to taste her.

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