Total pages in book: 19
Estimated words: 17714 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 89(@200wpm)___ 71(@250wpm)___ 59(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 17714 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 89(@200wpm)___ 71(@250wpm)___ 59(@300wpm)
“I suppose…since he is your brother,” she mutters, rubbing her hands together.
I grasp the back of her neck, tipping her head back and massaging her pulse. “Baby, I told you that I was going to accept him even when I was a nutcase jealous ass. I just don’t know how to take care of him.”
“I’m not much better,” she whispers, staring up at me with all her heart in her eyes.
I could drown in her gaze. I want to be alone with her. “Then we’ll learn together.” I pull her into my arms and kiss her tenderly, forgetting all those around us and deepening it until we’re breathless.
She steps back from me. “The baby.”
“Yeah, let’s do this.” I take her hand and walk to the bedroom. I get a shock when I see my mom holding onto the little man.
“Sorry. I wanted to see him. He looks so much like you when you were a baby.” I look at her, waiting for the waterworks to kick in. “I’ve forgiven your father long before he died for cheating on me and the life we lost as a family. It’s crazy, but I feel unexpectedly attached to this guy.”
“I’m sorry, mom.”
“Don’t, Liam. You’re a treasure. Even if I got a chance to do it all over again, I wouldn’t because I wouldn’t have you. Keep being the good man you are. Here. Learn to hold the little one. Soon you’ll have your own son.” She hands him to me, and I take him from under his arms.
“Thanks.” I held him to my body just like she gave him to me. He curls into me, pressing his face to my chest and releasing a sigh. My heart fucking melted. At that moment, I knew I would do everything I could to show him that he can be better than his biological father.
My mother kisses my cheek then hugs Renee and says, “Goodnight. Call me when you get everything straightened out.”
Chapter 8
Renee
Liam tucks Max back into the crib. I absently smile at the sight of such a fatherly action. My heart races as I think about the way he’d treat our babies. Dang, why am I letting his words dominate my common sense? I should know better especially the way my life has gone so far. Things start out good for so many couples. Then something goes wrong, life has so many twists and turns before the end comes.
“Liam. I’m going to sleep in here,” I tell him, silently hinting that I want to be alone. I think back to when things were good with my parents. All it took was one trip into the world of drugs. And I lost them to the federal system.
“Why? Are you worried about him?” he asks, missing my little implication.
“Yes,” I lied, hoping that he’ll understand.
“Okay. The bed is big enough for the both of us.” I press my lips closed, holding back the sigh. He catches the look on my face, then he adds, “Don’t over think this. I told you that you’re mine. If you think I’m going to sleep away from you, you’re out of your pretty little head.”
He pulls me into his arms and presses his lips to mine, coaxing a moan from my body. This is what scares me. What if this is too good to be true?
“Baby, I’d hardly call this too good to be true. We have a kid that’s not ours. We’re going to have ups and downs as we learn to be parents at the beginning of our relationship.”
“I suppose you have a point.”
“Of course I do. Still, that doesn’t change that I’m never letting you go.”
We fall into bed together, snuggling throughout the night, waking up only once with Max. “Don’t ever doubt me, Renee. I’ve waited a lifetime for you,” he whispers just as the sun begins to rise. His words sit in my heart, and I wonder if I can break the cycle.
“Are you off to work?” I murmured against his chest.
“Yes, sorry, beautiful.” He kisses the crown of my head and then he tilts my chin up to kiss my lips. “But I’ll be home right after work.”
“Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me because I’m selfishly counting the hours until I can come back, and I haven’t even left.”
Chapter 9
Liam
“Thank you for taking my call. My friend said you were the best.” I got into the office early and called in some favors. I have a top security agent with the skills to get the answers I need. At least that’s what I’m told.
“Yes, Mr. Hart. Mr. Blake informed me you would need some documents on a specific person. Please provide me with the name, and I’ll see what I can do by this afternoon. Is there anything particular that you’re looking for?” he questions as if he’s taking my order at a restaurant.