Page 30 of Charming But Reckless

Wakingup the next morning felt like a fever dream.

Morning might have been an exaggeration though. It was more mid-afternoon when I scrambled from the bed in a panic.

I vividly remember the events of the day before. Every second of worry, every ounce of hope. All of it came together and worked to reunite me with my son.

Sol. Where was he?

Throwing on a shirt, I went to the bedroom he’d been in the night before. I’d been lucky enough to grab the other spare bedroom they had, and now I needed to find my boy.

When I got to his room, it was empty. I didn’t immediately panic. There was far too much sunlight coming into the room for him to have still been in bed. It was wishful thinking on my part.

Downstairs, I found the house mostly empty. There was a man in the kitchen cooking something in a big pot. He nodded at me, then went back to work without saying a word.

I left him to it while I took off for the back porch. The view from the window looked as if it might be the best place for me to get a general idea of where Sol could be. You could see most of the land from this single vantage point.

And if I couldn’t find him, then I’d likely see someone who would know where he was.

The air was brisk when I stepped outside, making me realize I was only in a thin shirt and baggy sweatpants. It wasn’t enough to combat the cold in the slightest.

Ignoring how I felt physically, I scanned the area for any sign of Sol. A few men were working, but I didn’t see any small figures. His size would be a dead giveaway if he popped up.

I was about to turn around to go inside for a jacket when I heard a hearty laugh. Warmth flooded through me at the sound.

“That’s right, big guy. You might just be the quickest to pick up horse-riding I’ve ever seen,” Orion said as he came around the corner holding Sol’s hand.

My son beamed up at him, his expression one I recognized. It was a look he’d sent my way when I’d done something he especially liked — usually telling him he’d done a good job or encouraging him to give it his all.

I’d taught him from a young age that failure wasn’t the end. We had to keep going, keep trying, if we wanted to grow.

That particular piece of advice had always stuck with him. It stuck with me too. In fact, it fueled me as I searched for him all these months.

“Dad!” He dropped Orion’s hand and ran to me. I kneeled, accepting the love I’d missed for so long.

“Morning,” I said.

“It’s not morning, silly. We already had breakfast and lunch.”

“Don’t tease your dad, kiddo. He was exhausted.” Orion ruffled his short hair.

I was still kneeling, which created an awkward angle to look up at the other man. Well, maybe not all that awkward. It was more… enticing, I guess.

Arousal and sex had been on the back burner for so long, it felt like I was being bowled over when it returned. My desire tofool around with Orion confused me to no end. It had crept up last night too, though I’d equated it to exhaustion instead of real desire.

But I wasn’t tired anymore.

I’d slept for hours without interruption knowing my son was safe and with me. My excuses for my cock hardening at the smirk Orion wore were invalid.

He was attractive.

There was no denying it. And I wanted him. Again, I couldn’t hide this fact.

With my position, he couldn’t see what he was doing to me, thank heavens. I didn’t need to go around flashing this inconvenient erection around.

“I think your dad needs some food and coffee, kiddo. Why don’t we go bug Harlan into making something while he gets dressed?” Orion looked me and up down, humor shining in his eyes.

His face might have changed a bit over the years, but the amused look he wore was the same. A beard, his rugged jawline, and some added muscle didn’t change the boy I knew deep inside.

“Thanks,” I said as they turned to leave. He winked at me, then ushered Sol into the house.

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