Page 70 of Better Daddy

I glance over my shoulder, and my heart lifts a little. She’s dressed in yoga pants and a tank top, looking flushed and warm. Turning back, I flick on the burner for her teakettle.

“Me or bacon?” I ask with a smirk, head turned so I can see her.

“Definitely the bacon.” She’s teasing and I bloody love it. When she steps up behind me, wrapping her arms around my bare torso,and presses her lips to my back, my heart skips. The moment is almost too good.

I swear I’m floating a foot off the ground as I pull the last two pieces of bacon off the pan and set them on the paper towel with the rest. Then, ensuring the burner is off, I spin and pull her into my arms.

The music changes to “Someone Like You” by Van Morrison, the tune instantly bringing memories to mind, and I sway with her in my arms. I swear the sigh that leaves her lips comes straight from her soul.

I brush my lips against the top of her head. It’s been years since we danced in the kitchen. I can’t for the life of me remember why I didn’t pull her into my arms more often. But I know without a doubt that from this day forward, I’ll make a point to do it more often.

“It’s bubbling,” she mumbles.

My brows furrow. “A bubbly dance?” I whisper, remembering Madame E’s prediction.

Sloane laughs, having absolutely no idea what I’m talking about and her breath teases my bare skin, causing goose bumps to erupt. “No, the water. Give it a second, and it’ll whistle.”

“Oh.” I release her, holding her forearms to ensure she’s steady. “Go get comfy on the sofa. I’ll bring your tea and sandwich.”

I shut off the teakettle just as it lets out a whistle and pour the boiling water into her mug. While the tea steeps, I add the bacon to the sandwiches I prepped with mayo, lettuce, and tomato.

It takes two trips, and when I sit beside her on the couch, she’s picking up her BLT.

“Mmm.” She moans at her first bite. “This might be the best thing I’ve eaten in days.”

I shake my head, cringing. “Clearly I’ve starved you tonight.”

“Not at all. I just forgot how good your BLTs are. They were my favorite when I was pregnant with T.J.”

“I remember.” I take a bite of my own sandwich.

For the next few minutes, we sit side by side, eating in silence. It’snot awkward, and there’s no tension in the air. It’s the best kind of quiet.

“Tonight was the best,” Sloane says as she sets her empty plate on the table in front of us.

I scoff. “You mean a mess.”

She shakes her head, wiping her mouth with her napkin. “No. I mean everything went wrong, but we got to be together, laughing and snuggling.” Her eyes sparkle with a hint of emotion that hits me straight in the chest. “That’s all I ever want. I don’t need fancy. I don’t need perfect.” Her eyes glitter with emotion. “I just need time with you.”

“Me too.” As I study her, I make a silent promise. She’ll never want for my attention again. Every day, I will carve out time for us.

I slide a little closer on the cushion and bring my mouth to hers. Her lips are warm and soft, her presence alone creating a haze around me, one where only the two of us exist. I cup her cheek and angle her head slightly up, seeking permission with my tongue. When she lets me in, I close my eyes and worship her mouth, owning every inch of it. The need to lay her back and dominate her body is all-encompassing. Somehow, I resist the urge, instead slowing the kiss, then pecking her lips one last time. If I get her naked, I’ll never want to leave this flat, and as tempting as it is, that’s not how tonight is going to play out.

“How about we get cleaned up and head home?”

She pulls back, her brows rising in surprise.

“As much as I’d love to crawl into bed here, I promised T.J. I’d be home tonight and that we’d go for donuts again tomorrow,” I explain. “So I’d love to get you home and into our bed there.”

My wife smiles at me. “I’d love that too.”

Chapter 24

Sloane

Alone for the first time tonight, I find myself humming along to the music playing from my phone. The smile on my face won’t go away, even as I brush my teeth and get ready for bed.

Tonight was good.So good.Every day, I sink deeper into whatever it is that Sully and I are doing.