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Lucas laughed, and I couldn’t help but join in. His joy was contagious, and I loved how at ease he was around Sean now. There had been a time when he’d been quieter, hanging back, unsure of his Dad. But now, it felt like they’d found their groove.
I stole a glance at Sean, my heart doing that annoying little flutter it always did when I caught him looking at me like that—like I was more than he’d expected. His smile was soft, and there was something in his eyes that made me feel like maybe I was becoming something more.
I turned back to Lucas, who was pointing eagerly at the drone again, shouting instructions, and I couldn’t stop smiling.
“Lucas, is it fine if Chloe joins us for dinner?” Sean said, his voice low and smooth as he walked up to us.
His hand grazed the small of my back in a way that sent a subtle thrill through me. His smile lingered just a moment too long, eyes meeting mine with a heat that I felt in every nerve.
Lucas looked up at the two of us with a curious expression on his face before he nodded. “That’s fine,” he said.
I wasn’t sure what to expect from Lucas. Would he like me or treat me with suspicion, like Henry had no doubt done to Sean in the beginning?
Lucas brought his drone down and began packing it up while Sean got the dinner ingredients out. I caught Lucas sneaking glances at us as the three of us worked together on the pizza. Sean stayed close, his touch lingering every chance he got—an arm brushing mine, his fingers grazing my waist, as he helped with the toppings.
“Need a hand, babe?” Sean murmured, his lips so close to my ear that the warmth of his breath sent a shiver down my spine. His hand slid over mine, guiding me as I spread the sauce, his chest brushing against my back, his body heat enveloping me.
I chuckled softly, nudging him playfully. “I’ve got it,” I whispered, but didn’t resist the way his hand lingered on my waist, fingers teasing the fabric of my dress.
I could feel Lucas watching us, curiosity flickering in his young eyes, but I couldn’t help the magnetic pull between Sean and me.
When Sean stepped onto the balcony to take a call, Lucas quickly leaned in, his voice low, conspiratorial. “Are you Dad’s girlfriend?”
I glanced toward Sean, still visible through the glass door, his gaze occasionally drifting to me, even while on the phone, that soft smile never leaving his lips. I wasn’t sure what Sean wanted Lucas to know, but I smiled gently.
“Maybe you should ask your dad,” I whispered.
Lucas shook his head, mumbling, “Never mind.” The disappointment in his voice tugged at my heart as he ran off to use the bathroom.
As soon as Sean returned, his hand was back on me, slipping around my waist as if it belonged there. He pressed a slow, lingering kiss to my temple, his lips trailing just a little too close to my ear. “Missed you,” he whispered, his breath hot against my skin.
I laughed softly. “You were gone for five minutes.”
“Still too long,” he replied, his hand resting on my hip, fingers lightly tracing circles through the fabric.
He let go when we heard Lucas open the bathroom door, and led me to the dining table.
As we sat down for dinner, Sean’s attention was laser-focused, never drifting far from me, even as we started eating. Every touch, every glance felt charged, like we were barely keeping ourselves in check.
Lucas, in between bites of pizza, finally broke the silence. “By the way, Dad, Mom’s birthday is in two weeks. Can you help me buy her a gift, Dad?”
I saw the flicker of conflict pass through Sean’s eyes, just for a moment, before he smoothed it over with a soft smile. “Of course we can,” he said, his voice gentle. “That’s a great idea, Lucas.”
Lucas nodded, visibly relieved, his energy picking up. “I saw this necklace at Macy’s that I think Mom would like.”
He turned to me shyly. “You’d know the best styles, right? But … is it okay if, this time, it’s just Dad and me going shopping?” His eyes darted between us, hesitant but hopeful.
I glanced at Sean, who was already gazing at me, his hand slipping low on my back, resting just above my hip. His touch was possessive, sending a ripple of warmth through me.
Leaning toward Lucas, I whispered, “Seeing how your dad is practically glowing at the idea, I’d say it’s more than okay. It’s perfect.”
Sean squeezed my waist and leaned in, his lips brushing against the side of my neck, making my breath hitch. “Though girlfriends are usually welcome when men go shopping,” he teased, his lips grazing my ear as his voice dropped to a huskier tone, “I’m afraid I’ll have to ask you to skip this one, Chloe.”
There. It was out in the open now.
Lucas, wide-eyed, looked between us before finally asking the question that had clearly been on his mind. “Is Chloe your girlfriend?”
Sean didn’t break eye contact with me, his fingers now tracing soft patterns along my thigh under the table. “She sure as hell is mine,” he said, his voice low but firm. Then, as if to prove it, he leaned in, capturing my lips in a slow, deep kiss, one that left me breathless.