Page 64 of Paper Flowers (Stonebrook #1)

As I round the sofa, I stop dead in my tracks.

My chest tightens with a brick of emotions.

Sadie is curled up, asleep, wearing Dayna’s sweater.

But not just any sweater, her grandfather’s sweater.

The one I’ve seen Dayna wear only when she needs to feel close to him.

When she needs comfort, or simply just misses him.

Sadie is practically swallowed in it, the sleeves pushed up to reveal her fingers clutching onto a paper flower. She looks so small in it. So safe.

“She asked me what made me feel better when I was sick,” Dayna says quietly behind me. Her voice trembles just enough to make me turn. “I told her about that sweater.” She glances at Sadie, fidgeting with the edge of one of the flannel buttons on her shirt.

“She asked if it would be okay to wear it while I played her mom’s song. Said it might help.” Dayna pauses, then adds softly, “She fell asleep after it played a couple times.” I look back at Sadie, wrapped in warmth that carries so much memory.

She trusted Dayna enough to borrow something sacred. Wore her sweater. Listened to her mother’s song. Wanting to feel what Dayna feels. Wrapped in what was once hers and what is now becoming ours. Just when I think our world couldn’t blend any more than it already has–I’m completely fucking wrong.

Turning to face Dayna, I reach for her left hand and bring her hand up to my lips. Softly kissing her ring finger without breaking eye contact. Her breath catches as I place her palm against my chest.

“The way you love her–without limits, without needing anything in return–Dayna, it floors me. What you did for Sadie and for me…but also for yourself–it means more than I can ever say. You stepped into the role of motherhood with so much grace, so much strength. You didn’t hesitate.

You didn’t second-guess. You just were.”

I pull her closer, wrapping her against my chest, anchoring her to everything I feel. I take a slow, steadying breath.

“Sadie is blessed beyond measure to have two mommies. You’re not replacing Juliette’s footsteps–you’re walking beside her, in your own way for our little girl.”

I let the words hang there, giving them the weight they deserve.

Her eyes brim and spill, her right hand flying to her mouth to catch the sob.

I wipe away what tears I can with my thumb, pulling her in tighter, my palm moving in slow, steady circles along her back.

The soft flannel beneath my hand grounds me in something real and right.

“You are an extraordinary woman, Dayna. I love you so fucking much.”

“Luke…I—I can’t express how much I needed to hear that from you. Sometimes I feel like I’m doing something wrong and other times, I feel like this is exactly where I belong. With you, with Sadie. I am truly honored to be Sadie’s.”

She’s avoiding saying any variation of the word mother. I know she does it out of respect, but I think we’re at a point where we know this is who she is now.

“You can say it, Baby. It’s okay.”

She leans back just enough to see Sadie shift in her sleep. Swallowing the lump in her throat, “I’m honored to be her mommy here on Earth.”

“And when she’s ready, whether it’s tomorrow or years from now, if she wants to call me mom, I’d cherish that title for all eternity.” She palms my beard with both of her hands and leans up to kiss me.

“That sounds wonderful, Love.” I say as I’m smiling against her lips.

After the quickest shower I’ve ever done, I threw on my old college shirt, joggers and ran barefooted downstairs.

My hair is still wet and my glasses fogging up from the change in temperature in the living room and the heat of my skin.

Reaching the sofa with Sadie still knocked out, I crouch down beside her, moving a curly strand of hair behind her ear, I feel her forehead around her band aid for any signs of a fever.

“Sadie Girl, can you wake up for me?” Slowly, she blinks away her sleep, stretching her arms above her head, her eyes focusing on my face.

“Daddy? You’re home!” Her voice sounding raspier than it was this morning pings at my chest. “I’m home, sweetheart.” The smile she gives me melts me to the floor. “I missed you. How are you feeling?”

“I missed you too. I’m still sickie.” Sadie says, placing her hand over her throat. “But Dayna said this sweater makes her feel better, because Grandpa Eugine wore it. It gives magical hugs. It really does!” She coughs and winces.

“Shh, try not to talk too fast. This sweater is magical, and I know how much this means to Dayna. I’m so glad you get to wear it.”

Looking up to Dayna, she scoots in closer to us on the sofa.

“Hey Sweet Girl, are you hungry? Daddy brought veggie soup.”

“Did you ask him for extra carrots?” She tries to keep her voice low as she talks.

“Extra carrots and extra sauce for Dayna.” I say confidently.

“Can you help me take this off, I don’t want to wash away the magic when I wash my hands. Maybe Trixie can wear it for me.”

Helping Sadie out of the sweater, she wiggles free and heads to the front bathroom.

Dayna catches my eye as she leans over for Trixie.

I can’t help but let my eyes wander to her painted on leggings she’s wearing.

Standing up from my squat, the evidence of what she does to me is there.

Thinking of anything other than the globes of her ass, I start thinking of how I need to clean out the fridge–rearrange the garage storage boxes, anything to get this hard on under control.

When Dayna turns my way, she looks at the tent in my pants and lets out a giggle.

“Oh you think this is funny? Wait til she’s asleep and we’ll see who is laughing.

” I say playfully, winking at her. But with a mischievous smile, she replies, “I can’t laugh if my mouth is full.

” Leaving me shocked with my mouth hanging open to the ground, I choke out the sentence.

“This is not helping, Dayna. Do you want me to come in my pants right now?”

“Of course not–I’d prefer it to be inside me. Now let’s eat.” She sings-songs. Already heading toward the dining room. “Everything is warm and perfect.” Dayna is threading Trixie through the sweatshirt and perching her up on the open dining room chair.

Dayna and I are laying in bed, talking about our day. The day itself dragged, but somehow–this evening seems to be flying by. She’s on her side, facing me. I pull her closer into my arms and brush her hair back. “I love you, Baby.”

“I love you too, Luke.” Her gaze flickers to my lips, filled with heat.

I rock my hips into hers, and I know she feels me.

Her breath hitches. I close the space between us and kiss her, slow and deep.

My hands slide to the back of her neck, guiding her mouth to mine, and she opens for me.

When my tongue slips inside, she moans–and God, that sound.

Still kissing, I roll her onto her back. Her dark hair spills across the pillow in messy waves. I spread her legs with my knees, settling perfectly between them, braced on either side of her face. She fits like I was made for her.

And then she wraps her legs around my waist, lifting her hips to meet me. We’re still in our pajamas–thin shorts and no panties for her, joggers hanging off my hips–but the heat coming off her is unreal. I can feel her through the fabric. She’s already there.

“Dayna…I want you so fucking bad. You make me so goddamn hard.” She thrusts up against me again, and fuck–it’s too good. It’s not just want, it’s need. For both of us.

“Take what you need, Love,” I murmur, my voice rough. “I’ve got you.” She moans my name, hips moving with mine in a slow, teasing rhythm. Her fingers dig beneath my shirt and rake down my back. I’m barely holding on.

“That’s it,” I groan into her neck, my lips finding that spot she loves just below her jaw. Her strawberry shampoo lingers in the air between us. “You’re doing so fucking well.”

Her moans deepen. Her body tightens. Her hands cling.

“I—I’m coming,” she cries out, and I catch her mouth with mine, swallowing every sound as she shatters beneath me.

She kisses me back, urgent and hungry, teeth catching my bottom lip, pulling me deeper into her.

I break the kiss long enough to kneel between her legs.

“I need to be inside you. Right. Fucking. Now.”

I yank my shirt off and shove my pants down just enough to free my aching cock.

She’s still lying there, flushed and open, wearing that perfect little smirk.

I stroke myself once, twice, then swipe the bead of pre-cum off the tip with my thumb and press it to her mouth.

She sucks with slow purpose, eyes locked on mine.

“You’re going to kill me,” I murmur, kissing her again as I tug her shorts aside.

My fingers slide between her slit, feeling her throbbing clit as I move in circles. Still sensitive, and already soaked.

“Jesus, you’re dripping all over our sheets, Dayna.” I groan, pulling my fingers out and licking them clean.

“For someone who said he needed me,” she pants, “you sure are doing a lot of talking.” I grin. “I’m going to fuck the sass out of that smart mouth.”

“You ready?”

“Yes,” she whispers, voice breaking on a moan as I slide inside her. Inch by inch, until I bottom out and she gasps.

“Does it hurt?”

“No, Baby. You feel so good inside me.”

Her shorts bunch awkwardly between us, and the friction’s too much. I pull back just enough and rip the fabric clean down the center. The ruined material falls away, and I thrust deeper, fast, losing myself in her heat.

“Those were my favorite pair,” she mutters, breathless.

“I’ll buy you ten more,” I growl, hiking one of her legs over my shoulder, the other around my waist. She clenches around me and I nearly lose it. I rub circles over her clit with my thumb and she’s unraveling again.

“Right there, Luke–right fucking there!” She cries out, body locking up as she pulses around me. Her hands find mine and squeezes–once, twice, three times–and that’s all it takes. My balls tighten, everything rising up through me.

“Dayna!” I shout, chest caving in, coming hard.

“I love you so goddamn much, Baby.” I ride it out, deep and slow, until I’m spent.

Her legs fall limp, and I gently lower them from my shoulders, easing down to rest on my forearm.

I brush her hair from her face and kiss her forehead, both of us sweaty and breathless.

“You are amazing,” she whispers, eyes fluttering shut. “How does it feel different every time we’re together?” I press my palm to her cheek, watching her.

“Every time feels different because our love keeps growing. We’re evolving–stronger, deeper, more grounded.

It’s not just passion anymore–it’s trust. It’s knowing you’re safe with me.

Knowing I can be completely myself with you, and you can give me all of you without fear.

That makes us whole. Resilient. Honest. I think love like that… it only gets better.”

She smiles with her whole face, tears pooling in her eyes. “You make it so easy to be all in. To be safe. To be loved without condition. I don’t ever want to stop growing with you.”

I kiss her temple, my heart catching in my chest. Slowly, I pull out, and we both glance down. I use my thumb to push my release back inside her. I don’t say anything. I don’t need to. She knows what I’m hoping for. Maybe…just maybe, hope is enough tonight.