Page 31 of Big Nick Energy

It had come out great.

I couldn’t remember the last time I had decorated a Christmas tree. I’d had them over the years but usually had hired someone to come in and do it because I was always in the office or at Simon’s project site. I walked through the house, noting different spots where we could set up another one. I liked the idea of decorating another tree. Each one a memory of time spent with my girl.

I pulled up my phone and typed away a text.

Me: Would love to. I’ll pick you up around 6. Wear something warm. It’s going to be cold, princess.

The temperatures had drastically dropped in the last couple of days.

Princess: Yes, Daddy.

My lips twitched at her sassy response.

I loved her.

I loved her in a way I hadn’t known was possible. I couldn’t have imagined it. I was deep, head over ass in love. I’d known that. But the cynical part of me had also known I was inlust with the idea of someone. But the last week had proven otherwise. Everything I had imagined she would be like paled in comparison to the reality of Blanca Dominguez. One day Blanca Marsh, and soon, if I had anything to say about it. My dick started to come alive at the thought. For all I knew, she could be carrying our baby now. We were insatiable for one another. I hadn’t had this kind of stamina or bounce-back time since I was a twenty-something-year-old, and even then, I didn’t think it was like I was with her now.

My phone rang, and without looking at it, I answered. “Hey, baby,” I greeted with a smile not only on my face but in my heart.

“Baby?” my son’s deep voice asked, and I frowned. I glanced at the screen and winced.Shit.I was so used to the only person who really called being Blanca, I’d fucked up.

“Hey, umm, Noah, how are you?” I cleared my throat, and he chuckled.

“Guessing you didn’t look at your phone before answering.” The smartass answered, and I rolled my eyes.

“Hmm,” I grunted. “What’s up?” I asked, avoiding the question.

“You seeing someone?” he asked, and I scratched the back of my head.

“Something like that.” Again, I didn’t straight out say it, and something in my gut tightened.

I didn’t like to lie. Not to anyone, and especially not my kid. But how could I tell him about Blanca over the phone? Especially before I shared with her about having that conversation in the first place.What if she thinks it’s too soon?I didn’t like her thinking that. I wanted her to know exactly how committed I was to her.To us.It would probably freak her out to know I had gone to a jeweler the day before about a custom engagement ring. Even through her tough girl exterior, she was so innocent. So pure. I didn’t want to rush her, but now that I’d had a tasteof heaven, I hated the nights she didn’t spend next to me in bed. I didn’t like how she made sure no one saw us together when I picked her up. I was pretty sure her roommates were clueless about us.

“Dad? You there?” Noah’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

“Yeah, umm…” I cleared my throat again.

“Did you hear what I said?”

“Right, yeah.” I hadn’t. My head was filled with all things Blanca.

“So, you’re good with that?”

“Sure, Noah. Whatever you want,” I mumbled, and he kept talking. I tried to focus. Something about winter break plans. Missing out. Not that I could focus. Not when a text popped through, and when I looked at it, my brain fritzed out.

Princess: Maybe you can finally let me go down on you tonight?

She added a heart-eyed emoji.

My cock hardened beneath the jeans I wore. Jesus Christ, it was the middle of the work week. I was wearing jeans and had left work early because I wanted to make sure I had a chance to see Blanca today

“Alright, Dad, love you. Don’t work too hard.”

“Right,” I mumbled.

“And you’ll send it?”

“Sure.” Send what, I had no idea. Probably money. “How much again?” He paused for some reason before answering.

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