Page 140 of Beauty
There is nothing in this world I’d rather do than spend time with Sienna. Except see my son. It’s been a week, and I can’t go another day without a hug from him.
It figures that the first time she initiates plans, I have to turn her down.
Me: Where are you?
Sienna: Down the hall, make a left.
Grinning, I stride out of the room. Knowing I get to see her, put my hands on her, makes me giddy.Shemakes me giddy. Happy. Fucking joy-filled.
I round the corner, and Sienna comes into view. She’s pressed against the wall, phone in her hand, a smirk on her lips.
“Very covert,” I tease.
Her emerald eyes glitter when they lock on me. “I would make an excellent spy,” she whispers.
Fuck, she’s adorable. I want to push her up against the wall and kiss the shit out of her.
Instead I slip my hands into my pockets and nod.
“So, dinner?” She gives me a hopeful smile. “I want to show you something.”
My smile falls, and a heartbeat later, hers does too. “It’s my night with Ollie.”
I’m gearing up to explain that I want to be with her, but that my kid needs me, that the dad guilt is weighing on me more than ever now that I have to break the news that I have to miss his T-ball tournament. But before I can put my jumbled thoughts into words, she shakes her head and gives me a soft smile. “I get it. You’re a dad first.”
My heart sinks. Yeah, Ollie is my world. But I hate that she’d think that what we have has to take a back seat to my relationship with him. It’s not one or the other. And if Sienna and I are heading in the direction I hope we are, they’ll both come first. Because she isn’t just a hookup or a fling. If I have it my way, she’ll eventually be my family.
I take a step closer, looking down the hall to ensure we’re alone. “What if,” I say as I cup her cheek and revel in the feel ofher smooth, warm skin, “you come over for dinner? Hang with Ollie and me?”
Her green eyes are fathomless as they widen in surprise. “Are you sure?”
Warmth blooms in my chest. “Yes, baby, I’m sure.” I lean in close. “I’m a dad, but I also want to be yours.”
She clutches the fabric of my shirt and tugs me closer. Lips brushing mine, she declares, “You are mine.”
And fuck, now I’m hard again.
Before Sienna arrives, I sit Ollie down for a chat.
Not about Sienna. Not yet. She and I need to have a conversation before that happens.
No, it’s better if I break the news about his tournament now.
He arrived this afternoon bursting with stories he’s been waiting to tell me. Ted bought matching swim trunks for the two of them this week after Jen brought home a coordinating set for her and Ollie’s sister.
Poor Ted. I feel bad for the guy. The gesture was a good one, and I tell my son that. But when he went on to explain that they were bright teal with pink ice cream cones, a chuckle slipped out.
“Like I’d be caught dead matching him,” Ollie grouses. “Let alone in that.”
I school my expression, still trying to channel benevolence. “What did you do?”
“Told him that while I think his fashion choices are daring, and he should be proud of himself for being so authentically himself, I’m a scaredy-cat who’d rather be liked by the masses.”While he keeps a straight face through the whole explanation, I have to smash my lips together to keep from cackling.
“And how did your mom feel about that?” Sometimes I worry that Ted and Jen will tire of how few fucks the kid has to give, but I find it mostly hysterical.
“She pulled me aside after and thanked me and offered me twenty dollars to take the shorts with me when I came here.”
“Please tell me you have them.” I give up on fighting the amusement flowing through me.
