Page 106 of C is for Comfort

Spence’s eyes sparkle. “You wear those, and I’ll bring my own.”

“You’re serious, Daddy?”

“Very. We can have cucumber sandwiches.”

“With the crusts cut off?”

“If that would make you happy.”

I grin. “And cakes?”

“Lots of different kinds, sweet boy. Although now I’m wondering. Will this tea party be for Lexi or for you?”

“Both?”

Spence chuckles. “That works.” He runs his finger over my forehead and down my nose. “It’s settled, then. As long as Lexi is happy, I’ll bring a fairy princess outfit and a change of clothes over on Friday.”

I rake my teeth over my lip. “Would you also bring a blindfold and something to tie me up with?”

Spence’s eyes widen. “You’d want to play?”

I nod, a little uncertain. “Technically, we have a rule that we don’t fool around with people here.” I sigh. “It’smyrule.”

“Because you don’t want Lexi seeing anything she shouldn’t?”

“Yes. But realistically, if parents never had sex while their kids were in the house, everyone in the world would be an only child,andthere would be a ton of frustrated adults around.”

Spence laughs. “That’s true.”

I suck in a breath. “So as long as she’s definitely asleep, and we’re quiet enough not to wake her…” I look at him hopefully. “That’s if you’d feel comfortable?”

“You and I had phone sex while my niece and nephew were sleeping in my flat,” Spence reminds me.

My cheeks flush. “Yeah, I was probably a bit too noisy when we did that.”

“Did you wake Lexi?”

“No. Thank god.”

“Then I think we’d be okay. Don’t you?”

“Yes, Daddy.”

“But if you change your mind, that’s okay, sweet boy. I wouldn’t want to do anything that makes you worried or uneasy.”

“I know you wouldn’t. That’s one of the things I love about you.”

Spence runs his fingers back and forth over my forehead. “I love you too.”

I turn the film back on, and we watch the last half hour, returning to our comfortable silence. When it ends, I see Spence out, even though I really don’t want to. I want him to stay, but I don’t voice that wish, because it would be unfair on Lexi to wake up and find him here without prior warning. Plus, Lexi and I have to be up early so I can get her to breakfast club and me to work.

Before leaving, Spence turns and kisses me on the doorstep, his arms wrapping around me. I hold him back. Our kiss is long and slow, a goodbye formed of love and tender contact rather than words.

“Goodnight, sweet boy,” he says when the kiss finally ends.

“Goodnight, Daddy,” I whisper.

He turns and goes, and I watch until he turns the corner out of sight. I shut the door and lean against it, smiling as happiness makes me giddy. I didn’t know my life had been missing something until I met Spence, but when I’m with him, I feel complete. Now I just need Lexi to fall in love with him too.