Page 53 of Fall With Me
“I’m incredibly grateful you enjoy being around us. But… At some point do you think one of us will become a little more favored than the other?”
She takes our joined hands, wrapping them around her waist, pulling me toward her in the process. One brow rises. “Why, Dawson, are you admitting you’re jealous of your son?”
I’ve never been jealous of my son before, but the tightness in my stomach is real. “I’m man enough to admit I am.”
She lets go of my hands, sliding her arms around my neck. Her voice is husky and her eyes wide and innocent as she says, “What about now?”
My heart pounds in my chest. Can she hear how hard it’s beating? My tongue is thick in my mouth. The only thing I manage is slowly shaking my head as I gaze into her gorgeous eyes. They look like dark honey under the porch light.
“Are you ready to see me again tomorrow?”
Oh, right. We still have business to conduct. “Yes.” I rub my thumb across her back. “Is this goodbye until then?”Wow, you’re just putting your desperation right out there. Be cool, dude.
She slides her hand down to my chest, resting it over my heart. There’s no way she can miss how it gallops under her touch. “Not quite yet. I believe I asked you on a date. Are you free on Friday or Sunday? Otherwise, I might be able to swing coming to Finn’s game and we can postpone alone time.”
Dating was a whole lot easier without a kid in the mix. “We’d love to have you attend Finn’s game as a friend. CanI text you about Friday or Sunday? If my family is doing something Finn can tag along with, I’ll drop him off with them. But if they aren’t, then we’ll have to wait. Unless…” Would she be willing to come over after Finn fell asleep Saturday night? Since neither of us works on Sunday, we can do a late date. It will suck when Finn pounces on me early Sunday morning, but it’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make for her.
“I’m listening.”
“Would you want to come over Saturday night after Finn’s in bed? Around ten? We can watch a movie, play a game, or chat. What do you think?”
Her eyes go wide. “How scandalous you are, B. Sneaking me in after dark.”
“I’m helping you improve your stealth.” I wink. “But all kidding aside, if you don’t like that idea, let’s wait. I don’t want to push you to do anything you’re not comfortable with.”
“Are you kidding me!?” She fists my shirt, her eyes wild with excitement. “I never snuck out of my grandparents’ house. This is fulfilling my teenage dreams.”
What other teenage dreams did she have that I can make come true? A few of mine are coming to mind. Tightening my arms around her waist, I say, “In that case, I’ll see you later?”
“Yep. Tomorrow and then on Saturday, you’ll see me, pj’s and all.” She shakes her hips. “I hope you’re ready for the vision I am when wearing them.”
My stomach tightens in a pleasant way. Nope. I need her wearing a velvet grandma tracksuit or a monster costume.Chloe in pajamas (sexy ones or not) is an image my imagination isn’t ready for. “Any chance you can stick to regular clothes?” My voice comes out tight and scratchy as I fight the images of Chloe in a silky little thing lying in my bed.
She scoffs. “You’ve never seen my pajamas. Why are you acting like they’re some hideous moth-eaten, cobweb-covered, danky nightgown?”
“I wish they were.”
She laughs. “You do not.”
“Trust me, 007, I absolutely do. Otherwise, my hands won’t stay in appropriate places.”
Her smile turns wicked. “Really?”
I push her and her tempting lips away from me. “Slow, Chlo. We need to take things slow.”
She pouts. “You’re right. I’ll wear my old stained Utah hoodie and black leggings. Is that regular enough for you?”
I actually don’t think it matters what Chloe wears. I won’t be able to keep away from her. But comfy clothes are better than the alternative. “Those will do.”
“Done.” She puts her hand over her mouth, covering a huge yawn. “Phew. Sorry. I’m tired and need to head to bed. I have a client coming in super early tomorrow.”
“Yeah, I need to get Finn into his own bed before he has an accident in the car.”
Chloe wraps her arms around my middle, resting her head on my chest. “Good night, B. And thank you for saying yes.”
I squeeze her back, letting the warmth of her body soak into mine. Placing a quick kiss to the top of her hair, I tighten my hold, then let go, and take one step down the porch. “Night, Chloe.”
I head back to my car, but don’t back out of her driveway until Chloe is safe inside her house. I’ll always be a dad, but for the first time in years, I’m happy to be a boyfriend too.
