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Natalie’s smile wilts away. “Wh-why?”

“Said she wanted me to be your boyfriend because she sees other kids with dads. That shit’s not cool. We need to tell her.”

“We do. You’re right. And we will. I swear it.”

I try to be cool, but my impatience rings through. “When, Natalie? When?”

CHAPTER 30

NATALIE

Alden’s questionplays on a loop in my mind. I know he’s right and that she needs to know. I also know the longer I put it off, the more his resentment will grow. So, guess it’s time to buck up.

“We can tell her next time we’re all together. Does that sound good?”

His jaw drops, and he blinks as if stunned by my response. “R-really?”

“Yeah, Alden. Really. You’re her father—and a damn good one. She deserves to know.”

For the first time since all of this started—well, other than our brief kiss in his office when he read the paternity test results—Alden initiates physical contact between us, scooting down to my end of the couch and bear-hugging me. “Thank you so much.” His breath is hot on my neck, and goose bumps cover my body.

I start to squirm out of his hold, but I’m rendered motionless at the feel of his stubble against my skin. His lips quickly follow as he softly kisses my neck. His touch is almost worshipful, so soft but strong, all at once.

I’m almost too scared to move as he drags his lips higher, nipping at the sensitive skin beneath my ear. I can’t help butgroan at the heady mix of pleasure with a touch of pain. Alden growls at the sound, and before I know it, he has me laid back on the couch and he’s nestled between my legs, his lips sliding against mine as his tongue begs for entry.

My body decides before my brain to simply roll with it, and I open to him as I run my fingers through his hair, tugging on the ends as he sucks on my lower lip. We kiss and carry on like two horny teenagers until my hips shift restlessly against his. It’s been so long since anyone’s touched me this way…I honestly think I could come just from this.

Which explains my pathetic, kicked-puppy-sounding whimper when he pulls away. “Jesus, Nat.”

I stare at him dazedly, my brain far too foggy to come up with a reply.

Naturally, he finds this to be hilarious. “Cat got your tongue?”

I can feel the blush staining my cheeks. “Something like that.”

Teasing me, he rolls his hips, and I let out the most embarrassing sound. I want to smack the smirk off of his face as he moves completely off of me and to a sitting position.

An awkward silence falls over the room. Suddenly, I’m unsure of how to act, much less what to say. I settle with an eloquent, “So…”

Which Alden echoes back. “So…”

“Jesus, this is awkward.” I mutter the words to myself, but of course he hears me.

“It doesn’t have to be, Small Fry.”

“But…it is. You k-kissed me.”

Alden nods. “I did. And I liked it. It felt…natural. Right.”

I look down at my lap, feeling all kinds of different ways. When I don’t reply, he reaches over and takes my hand in his. “Hey, I’m sorry if that made you uncomfortable.”

“No, it’s not that. It’s just—” I break off, trying to find the right words. “Complicated. It’s complicated.” Really, that’s the best word, because how else do I explain that my feelings for him never faded, and that he’s always been my gold standard, and that no other guy has ever measured up? Not to mention, I don’t want things between us to get messy and have it affect Tatum.So, yeah, complicated.

“Right.” He swallows roughly before changing the subject. “Maybe y’all can come to my place for dinner one night?”

“That…that sounds good.”

Alden beams his pearly whites at me, and once again my heart pangs, knowing all I have deprived him—and Tatum—of. He rises from the couch, and I do too. Together we walk to the door, where things once again turn awkward. After practically dry humping on the couch, do we hug? Shake hands? Nothing at all? I’m too busy overthinking it when he makes the decision for the both of us, hugging me close and placing a feather-soft kiss to my forehead.