Page 39 of Falling for You

“She said she felt like she was being followed so she quickly called a cab,” I gasp in shock, and he snorts.

“Yeah, I was pretty pissed because I was so close to catching up with her just so I could get in touch with you,” he admits, and I soften a little.

Avery said it was before Dad allowed us to be in contact again, and she was freaked out and wanted nothing more than to call me, but a part of me now is disappointed she got the cab.

“I know this is a lot,” he says, and I nod because it is. “I know your main priority is our son, but all I’m asking for is a chance to get to know you, to date you, and if it doesn’t work out, we’ll co-parent,” he rasps, ignoring the waitress bringing our food over as he gently puts my hair behind my ear and everything inside me pulls at me to say yes. To date him, to get to know him. Still, something is holding me back; I just don’t see what…

I swallow hard and whisper, “I’m sorry, but I don’t think that is a good idea. We need to focus on Hudson and letting you see him so you can get a bond.”

His eyes race between mine before he nods, then shocks me when he says, “Okay, let’s sort out child arrangements,” and moves away from me, grabbing his sandwich and damn, a part of me is disappointed that he gave up so easily, but I ignore the sharp pain in my chest. We spend the next few hours chatting about timetables, all while the disappointment consumes me.

Crap.

“Admit it, you love riding on the back of my bike,” Taylor says as he again helps me off near my car, and I shake my head, unwilling to admit it because, yeah, it’s not only a thrill, but freeing.

We spent two hours sorting out our schedules and even arranged for me to travel with his team to a few games so he could spend time with our son.

When I return to work, he’ll watch him when he isn’t at practice or away for games; otherwise, our boy will be put in an at-home daycare.

“I’m not admitting that,” I say with a grin, making him chuckle before he gets serious.

“Okay, then admit how disappointed you felt when I didn’t push dating,” he demands, and my mouth parts.

He… He played me; he wanted to see how I’d react if he backed down.

Damn…

“You played me,” I confirm, and he shrugs, not denying it as he crowds me against my car, my back hitting the metal as heruns his fingers into my hair and grips tightly before slamming his lips against mine. I gasp giving him the perfect opportunity to shove his tongue into my mouth.

My body gives me away, my mind blanking as I melt and kiss him back after a few seconds, our tongues tangling as my body lights up, electric shocks shooting through me as my heart pounds.

Taylor pulls back way too quick for my liking, which is bad, really, really bad, and he nods as we lock eyes and states, “I’m not giving up. You’re mine, and I’m yours,” he kisses me gently then rasps, “I’ll call you later,” then pushes back and leaves me rendered speechless and wanting more.

Double damn.

I smile as I gently partially close my bedroom door as Hudson sleeps and head back into the living area. My head is still a mess after my kiss with Taylor; he’s all I can think of.

I picked Hudson up from my dad on autopilot, letting him know it went perfectly fine before driving home.

He kissed me, and I lit up like a firework; everything in me knew I belonged to him, and it scared me.

Sighing, I sit on the couch as my phone rings, but I tense when I see Taylor's name light up.

“Well, he said he’ll call,” I mutter as I grab my phone and take a deep breath.

“Hello?” I answer, and he replies, “Hi, is this Penelope Vine?”

I frown and pull the phone back to double-check it is definitely Taylor's number, then put the phone back to my ear and say, “Taylor, you called me,” in confusion.

He chuckles and states, “My name is Taylor Evans, and I’m twenty-eight. I got your number from a friend after seeing you in a bar.”

Realization hits me, and I smile bashfully.

“What are you doing, Taylor?” I ask, already putting two and two together, and he says, “I’m starting over because after one night with you, I know I can’t live without you by my side, and I know that is scary because fuck me, I’m scared too. But, I’m not willing to hide away from this between us. The connection is stronger than it was all those months ago, and it’s something to hold onto. So, what do you say, Firecracker, can we get to know each other again?”

My mouth parts and my eyes tear up because deep down, I know I won’t say no to him, and that is terrifying.

Chapter 16

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