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Chapter 31

Scuba

E ntering the family lounge, I only had one thing on my mind. I wanted to convince Annie to come out with me and the fellas.

For as much teasing as the guys were giving me about being a dad, they were right. I jumped head first into the role and thought about my kid’s needs first above all else, which meant saying no to the guys coming over since my little dude needed to sleep.

I looked over at Carter. “You’re really good to watch over Eric tonight?”

He offered to watch Eric when he heard how much I felt like I botched things with Annie earlier tonight. I introduced her to the Sound guys as my friend. Not my girlfriend.

If I took her out tonight, it would prove to them that we weren’t just roommates co-parenting. She was the love of my life, and we were so close to making it a real thing.

“Of course. Besides, how hard can it be to watch over him? Even if he wakes up, I can distract him with mini sticks. Easy peasy. Besides, Shiv would love to have some company tonight.”

I still couldn’t believe their situation. I would die not being able to leave the house. At least Siobhan had Carter to keep her sexually content.

Granted, I still couldn’t believe there hadn’t been any press about the fact that I had a secret kid and/or that I might be settling down. Sure, the puck bunnies all knew I had been taken off the market, but that was pretty much the only thing to hit the blogs. My favorite theory was that I was in a sex addiction program, and the Legacy was threatening me with something to keep me on the straight or narrow.

But I was ready to go out with my woman and friends tonight. “I still owe you,” I said to him.

Carter held out a fist for me to bump, which I did. Then, I focused on finding Annie and kid.

It was easy to find them. Annie was the one holding a sleeping kid on her shoulder and looking as pretty as ever, even though our son seemed pretty heavy in her arms.

I rushed over toward her, plucked Eric from her, and placed him in Carter’s arms.

“There’s something I’ve been wanting to do, and I’m going to do it in front of our friends since I want everyone to know how much I want you.”

I’d kept my sexual urges at bay for way too damn long, and I was tired of doing it, so I planted my lips on Annie’s and engulfed her in a tight embrace that could only be described as Not Safe For Work.

I didn’t care if we had a label on our relationship. I wanted her, and I finally saw signs that we could move past co-parenting in the same house.

Her lips were impeccably soft, and they felt so damn good. Not being able to help myself, I slipped my tongue into her mouth as I pulled her hair slightly. I was half expecting her to shoo me or tell me to stop since she was always more prim and proper.

But for once, her new meeker side worked in my favor, and she didn’t fight me. Instead, she deepened the kiss.

Damn, I loved Annie. Even after everything.

There was a huge part of me that wanted to bring Annie straight back to my bed, especially since Cartsy was on babysitting duty. But that would defeat the purpose of asking Cartsy to babysit in the first place.

Instead, I stayed true to tonight’s plan. I dropped down on one knee and held Annie’s hand. I didn’t care if it was a tad extra. At least no one in this room would think we were getting engaged—yet.

“Annette, would you do me the honor of going out with me after the game? I already arranged babysitting.”

That got a few laughs from the room. And I wasn’t surprised to hear Suzuki say, “Seriously, man?”

But my eyes were laser-focused on my girl. The longer I waited on my knee, the more nervous energy built up within me.

Did I misread her? I thought we were getting into a good headspace, and she seemed ready for a relationship. Also, we already had a first date.

I waggled my eyebrows, hoping to prompt an answer from Annie.

Finally, she said, “Sure, we can do that.”

If I wasn't already being a little too extra for Annie’s taste, I would have totally done a game day celly. But she wouldn’t like it if I did that, so I just got up to my feet and satisfied myself with another stolen kiss.

This time, it was a bit more workplace-appropriate. But it was still so sensual to capture her mouth with mine.