Page 91 of Time for Change

She turns, gazing up at me. Her movements bring her mouth closer, so I take the opportunity to steal a kiss. The moment our lips brush together, it’s like being struck by lightning. Electricity crashes through my veins, causing me to deepen the kiss immediately.

Unfortunately, we’re interrupted by the ringing of my cell phone. Ignoring it is my preferred option, but I know I can’t. Groaning, I rip my mouth from hers and shift so I can reach my phone in my pocket.

“Caden,” I say to Stevie as she sits up, righting her sweater. “Hello?”

“Hey, man, sorry to bother you,” he mutters, sounding like death.

“No problem. What’s up?”

“I’m under the weather. Like seriously sick, and we just got an emergency call from the hospital. They’ve got a generator shorting out that keeps tripping a breaker and sounding the alarm.”

“Shit, okay,” I reply, carefully standing up and glancing around. “I’ll call my mom and see if she can come stay with the kids. I’ll take care of it.”

“Thanks, Jack. You know I hate asking. I know your big night with Stevie was this evening,” he says, sounding like absolute shit.

“It’s no problem. I’ll take care of it. Get some rest,” I tell him.

“On it,” he mumbles before hanging up.

“Everything okay?” Stevie asks when I hang up.

“There’s an emergency job at the hospital and Caden’s sick. I need to go check it out.”

She stands up. “Okay.”

I tap on my phone, bringing up my mom’s name. “I’ll call my mom and have her come stay with the kids.”

“I’ll do it,” she says before I can press the button to connect the call.

“What?”

She shrugs. “I mean, I’m already here and they’re asleep, right? It would be no trouble for me to sit with them. Plus, then your mom doesn’t have to worry about driving at night.”

A smile spreads across my mouth, and I’m reaching for her. With my hands on the sides of her head, I press a tender kiss to her lips. “You’re amazing. You sure you don’t mind?”

She lifts her shoulders before sliding her arms around my waist. “I wouldn’t have offered if I didn’t want to help.”

“Thank you,” I whisper, pressing my mouth to hers once more. “I might be a while. Make yourself comfortable, okay?”

She nods and releases her hold on me.

“If you want to go up to my bed, get naked, and touch yourself, make sure you send me pictures, okay?” I joke, even though I wouldn’t mind getting those pics.

She chuckles. “Yeah, I’ll probably just hang out down here, since your kids are here and all.”

Leaning forward, I kiss her once more. “That’s probably best. I promise I’ll be back soon.”

With one last look at the woman I’ve fallen in love with, I quickly rush up the stairs to change my clothes. I don’t anticipate getting too dirty, but I prefer work attire if I’m on the job. I change quickly, knowing the faster I get this job complete, the faster I can get back home to Stevie.

And that’s the best incentive I could possibly have.

Coming home to her.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Stevie

I’m sitting on the couch, curled up in a blanket and watching mindless television. Jack left an hour ago, and even though it’s a little weird to be here without him, it’s comfortable too. He has a great place, one filled with family and laughter. I love that for him and his kids and am grateful they’re extending a piece of that to me.

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