Page 6 of Single Dad at Mountain Creek Ranch
“Nash,” Eden stands up. “She’s fine. It’s just,” she pauses, considering her next words. “I talked to her this afternoon, and I think you should know what she said.”
My initial protective parent panic subsides but doesn't entirely go away. My stomach clenches, trying to think of what she could have said that was so bad.
“Maybe you should sit down.” Eden sits back down on the couch and pats the seat next to her.
I take the three steps it takes to cross the room to her and sit down. Usually, being this close to Eden would be setting off reactions in my body that I couldn’t control, but concern for my girls pushes it to the back burner.
“You mentioned last week that you were concerned about Abbie pulling away from you and you not understanding why.”
I nod, urging her to continue.
“Well, I asked her about it this afternoon. She's worried that she or Sophie will do something to upset you, and you will leave them just like their mother did.”
Her words feel like a wrecking ball just smashed through the living room wall and hit me, shattering every bone in my body.
"She what?" I ask my voice barely above a whisper. "I would never do that.”
Eden rests one soft hand over my clenched fists and uses the other to turn my face to her. “We both know that you would never do that to her or Sophie. I’d bet my life on it.” Her confidence in me and my love for my girls is like a healing balm on my heart. “But you have to understand why she thinks this. She already had one parent leave her. She doesn’t want to lose you too.”
I run my hands over my face and into my hair, tugging at the short strands. “How could I have been so blind?”
“Don’t be so hard on yourself. You are the best dad to those girls. But you aren't a mind reader. This is why I wanted to tell you so that you would know, and you could talk to her.”
I turn back to her, and Eden wraps her arms around me, pulling me close to her. I don’t resist, letting her soft, warm body ease the ache coursing through me. How is it possible that this woman, who up until two weeks ago I barely knew, can make me feel better with only a few words and her touch?
“Thank you. For everything.” I wrap my arms around her. Unable tonottouch her and hold her in my arms.
She pulls back slightly, but only enough to look me in the eyes. I worry that I've gone too far, but she leans in and presses her lips against mine. I freeze. I'm so stunned that the woman that has consumed my every waking moment and my fantasies since she came back into my life is kissing me.
She draws back when I don’t kiss her. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have—”
I snap out of my stunned haze and tighten my hold around her. I cup the back of her neck and crush my lips against hers. She moans into my mouth, and it's the sexiest sound I've ever heard. Eden nearly has me coming in my pants. I sit back, pulling her with me. She swings one leg over me to straddle my lap. My dick is rock hard and straining to burst through my jeans. Eden shifts her hips, her pussy pressed against my cock as she moves is ecstasy. I grip her ample ass, guiding her hips with each circle she makes. It’s not enough. I’m quickly learning that nothing with this gorgeous woman will ever be enough for me. I groan, my hands moving up her waist to—
"Dad!" Sophie's voice calls out from upstairs. We immediately jerk apart. Our breathing both ragged and uneven. It’s like a cold bucket of water has been dumped on both of us.
“I’ll be right there, Soph!” I call up to her, my eyes never leaving Eden.
"I should go," she says but doesn't move.
I'd give anything for her to stay, but I need to check on Sophie and talk to Abbie. I want to be selfish and think of what I want first, but I can't. And I know that Eden would never ask that of me. She understands what my girls mean to me, but I want to tell her what she means to me too. But it feels too soon to say that I'm falling in love with her. I don't want to scare her off.
“I’m going to need a cold shower now," I try to joke and cut the tension.
Eden chuckles. “I’m going to need more than my fingers to ease my ache tonight.”
I groan, and my head drops back against the top of the couch. “You had to put that visual in my head.”
She leans in and gives me a quick peck on the lips. “You’ll be fine.”
We stand up, and I walk her to the door, offering once again to drive her home to make sure she's okay.
“That’s a very sweet offer, but I will be fine.” She leans up on her toes and kisses me goodnight.
I watch out the front windows until the taillights disappear in the night before heading upstairs to check on the girls. Sophie is already back asleep when I peek my head in her door. Her blankets are all tangled around her legs. I quietly step in and adjust them around her, so she is covered. I close the door behind me as I leave and notice a faint light on in Abbie's room across the hall. I knock gently on her door.
“Come in,” she says softly.
"Hey, kiddo."
