Page 35 of Dangerous

Their eyes widened when they saw her tucked up against me.

“Is she sleeping?” Jason gently sat on the couch beside me, already knowing the answer without me saying a word. “Good. She’s been looking so tired. I was going to go over tonight since her mom is back on nights.”

“Yeah, Marie was called in early so Katy was waiting for me in the daycare.”

“She didn’t ask you for a ride in class?” Jarrod sat on the other side of me, in the spot Katy had been sitting in.

“She didn’t. She said that Marie had left her a voicemail that she didn’t listen to until after class, but she didn’t go looking for me or check my classroom. But I understand why.”

“She told you what’s been bothering her, didn’t she?” Unable to resist her allure, Jason ran his hands over her leg.

“She did. Ethan asked her to the dance and wants her to be his fake girlfriend for lots of reasons, but she didn’t want to hurt us by making us see her with someone else.”

“Fuck.” Jarrod ran his fingers through his hair before he loosened his tie enough for him to pull it over his head. “Her heart’s so big. I hate that she saw me with other women.”

“Me, too. It really hit home how much hurt and pain I inflicted on her. None of it was intentional, but that didn’t stop it from hurting her.”

Jason pretended to sniff loudly as he wiped a non-existent tear from his cheek. “My boys are growing up.”

“Fuck you. If Katy weren’t sleeping, I’d take you to the ground.”

“Promises, promises, Peter.” The look Jason gave me made me excited for tonight. Something that I didn’t need since I was already trying my hardest not to pop wood while Katy was nestled against me. I guess I didn’t hide my discomfort enough because Jason grinned. “Getting a little hot and hard there?”

I lifted my hand off her back and flipped him off, but he just chuckled before pressing a kiss to her head and standing.

“At least we know the problems and can address them, letting her know that we want her to follow her heart, and experience things so that she can make a true choice without any future regrets. Right?”

Jarrod and I nodded.

“Good. Then I’m going to go get cleaned up. What are we ordering for supper?”

“Katy’s stomach decided on Chinese so who was I to argue?”

“Chinese it is then. I’ll order while Jason cleans up. That way one of us is available if the prince wakes up and needs attention.” Jarrod pulled out his phone to do just that.

Katy began to stir as Jason opened the door, accepting the delivery of Chinese food while Jarrod was in the nursery, changing Liam who’d woken up only moments before.

She pushed up from my chest. I loved her when she was like this, all soft, cuddly, free from any of the constraints placed on her. But once she saw me, realizing I wasn’t a dream, she stiffened as a soft blush tinted her skin. “I’m so sorry about that. I didn’t mean to fall asleep on you like that.”

“Relax, sweetheart. You’re fine.” I held her down, not wanting to let go of her just yet. “You needed some sleep and I’m just happy that you felt comfortable and relaxed enough to use me as your pillow.”

“Supper’s ready,” Jason called out, giving her an excuse to scramble off my lap. I wasn’t sure how I felt about his interference, but one look at her face and I knew it had been the right thing to do. She looked a little uncomfortable. Something, that until this summer, had never been directed at me before. It made me sad that even after our conversation, she still worried about my reaction or was worried that I’d hurt her again.

“Did you have a good sleep?” Jason reached out, snagging her to be pulled into a quick hug.

“I-I did.” Her skin flushed pink again, making me feel good. Visual proof that she was still attracted to me. That I could work with and would help on those nights when I questioned if I’d ever get a chance to be with her again.

“Good. You needed it. And you look like some of your problems aren’t problems anymore which makes me happy. I don’t like seeing you weighed down from things that we could help you with.”

She nodded, but didn’t answer because Jarrod walked into the room with an excited Liam, reminding me of the two major milestones he accomplished today.

“Guess what our boy did today?” I snatched him from Jarrod, lifting him high in the air before bringing him down so I could blow a raspberry on his belly. He smiled and chuckled but didn’t give his belly laugh so I did it again. This time, when I blew on his belly, he squealed and then laughed.

“Holy shi-taki mushrooms. Is he laughing?” Jarrod stepped up beside me, taking the opportunity to blow on Liam’s belly when I pulled back to answer, eliciting more laughter from our Little Man.

I glanced up to find Jason holding up his phone, recording it. “How did you know he could do that?”

“Katy,” I said smugly. “She had him laughing like that in the daycare when I arrived. And all she had to do was place kisses all over his face because he was so excited to see her.”

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