Total pages in book: 22
Estimated words: 20136 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 101(@200wpm)___ 81(@250wpm)___ 67(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 20136 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 101(@200wpm)___ 81(@250wpm)___ 67(@300wpm)
Once his bravery grew, jumping in wasn't enough for him, so Brady asked me to toss him into the foam blocks. So, I picked him up around the middle, spun him around, and threw him into the soft pit while he cheered. Lance watched while shaking his head, claiming that his young son was more daring than he could ever be.
By the time we had jumped onto, into, and off of everything available, Brady looked like he was about to fall over from exhaustion. I was tired too, even with my shifter endurance, so I could only imagine how the young boy felt.
Lance and I each held one of Brady’s hands as he staggered through the parking lot toward my SUV. And by the time he was buckled in and we had traveled just a few blocks down the road, his quiet snores filled the air.
When we reached the cafe once more, I unbuckled Brady and held him while Lance removed the car seat from my SUV, securing it back into his car. I handed over his sleeping son and grabbed the giant stuffed gorilla out of the backseat before we climbed the outdoor stairs that led to their apartment.
Lance unlocked his front door and turned around to face me. “Thank you again for tonight. I can’t remember the last time I saw Brady so happy.”
“I’m glad he enjoyed himself. I had a great time too.”
“So did I.” He tucked his lip between his teeth as he shifted Brady in his arms. “As much fun as it was, I was wondering…would you want to have some…adult fun?” I gave him a salacious smile and flicked my eyebrows. “Not like that!” he chuckled, playfully swatting my shoulder. “I meant that maybe just the two of us could go on a date once Hope is feeling better.”
I needed alone time with Lance like I needed oxygen, but I couldn’t wait for his babysitter’s illness to fade. My lion half had already expended all of its patience. “May I take you out tomorrow? My friends would be happy to keep an eye on Brady for us.”
Lance chewed on his lip again. “I’m not sure…”
“You’ve already met Brandon and Talon,” I pointed out. “And there are five other guys to keep him entertained. Plus, my friends Cedric and Asher are getting ready to have a child of their own; they’re in parental mode and it’ll be great practice for them.”
Lance looked as if he was just about to agree, so I hit him with the big guns. “I will take you on a hike and show you Locust Falls. We can pack a picnic and enjoy a meal in the woods together.”
“That sounds amazing,” he smiled, and I did a mental happy dance. “And you’re sure your friends won’t mind?”
“I’m positive.” My pride would do anything to help my relationship with my mate. “So we’ll head to my place after your shift, then?”
“That sounds great. Unless…well, you’ve been watching Brady so much and spending lots of time with me too. What if you get sick of me?” He tried to play it off as a joke, but I didn’t miss the worry in his eyes and voice.
“Lance, I could never get tired of you.” I reached my hand up and combed my fingers through his soft, curly hair. I eased his locks behind his ear and caressed his bearded cheek. “I treasure every moment I get to spend with you, and I constantly crave more. I can’t get enough of your beautiful face or sweet heart. You mean more to me than you could know.”
His gorgeous blue eyes were full of wonder and need as they stared deep into mine. And then they slowly tracked down my face until they landed on my mouth. Lance’s tongue peeked out and wet his own lips in anticipation.
I wrapped my hand around the back of his neck and gently pulled him closer to me. His lips parted and his breath fanned against my skin as we neared one another. My mouth already tingled even though we weren’t yet touching. My eyes slid shut, preparing for the most important kiss of my life.
“Daddy?”
I jolted at the sound and opened my eyes to find Brady rubbing his own, leaning away from his dad’s shoulder.
Lance blinked repeatedly until he came back to his senses, and looked at his son to stammer, “Y-yeah, buddy?”
“I want to sleep with Mr. Monkey tonight.”
Lance chuckled and nodded. “You got it.”
“Did Hunter go home?”
“Not yet, bud,” I answered, patting the boy’s back. “But I’m getting ready to. Goodnight and I hope you have good dreams.”
Brady shifted in his dad’s arms to give me an awkward hug. “You too. Thanks for jumping with me.” With that, he nuzzled his face back into Lance’s neck.
The moment had changed, and I didn’t want to cross any boundaries that Lance may have with his son seeing affection between us, but I needed to touch him before I left. I was so close, and I would go crazy without it.