Page 34 of Stolen Moments with a Bad Boy

“You know I love your playlists. I’m with whatever you play. Or whatever it is you young people say.” I shrugged my shoulders.

“You’re good, babe. I understand where you were coming from.” She giggled. “Let’s start with a little Sade. ‘No Ordinary Love’ is a perfect song for us.”

Her playlist started with Sade’s soulful and sultry voice. I’d always enjoyed her music.

Sade spoke about love in so many different capacities. That was why she was so loved all over the world. Erie was right too. Our love wasn’t an ordinary love. I mean, we loved each other just like any other man and woman did, but our circumstances were quite different from everyone else’s. I was hired to kill her. Instead, I fell in love with her. How could I not?

I wrapped my fingers around the steering wheel and hummed along with the melody of the song. After a few more minutes, the song ended, and Lauryn Hill’s “Sweetest Thing” was next.

“Bella, is it too much to ask for a few notes from you?”

She turned in her seat and smiled at me.

“Anything for you, Ro.”

Erie cleared her throat and sang. My little Bella’s eyes were closed as she mouthed every word I knew were meant for me only. There was no one who could tell me differently. She opened her beautiful hazel-brown eyes, and they were filled with unconditional love.

“How was that?”

“Your voice is definitely one of a kind. Every time you speak, it sounds like you’re singing to my heart. I didn’t even know a love like this could exist for me. I never considered myself as lucky or blessed. My whole world changed the moment I met you. It was a season of new experiences and real love. I got my own real love,” I revealed.

“Yes, you do, big papa. You got your real love,” she cooed.

“You’re right, beautiful.” I kissed the top of her hand.

“Baby, I’m hungry now.”

“Do you want to stop and pick up snacks, or do you want to sit down somewhere?” I probed, watching her attentively.

“I want some real food.”

“Alright. I know a nice little diner just a few miles up ahead. I used to visit it when I could. They have some really good food,” I announced.

“Sounds good to me, love. I’m following your lead.”

She sat back and sang some more tunes until we arrived. We pulled up and quickly found seats. The waitress greeted us and took our food and drink orders. Ten minutes later, she returned with our drinks. We talked and laughed until she delivered our steaming plates of food. Erie and I ate in silence until our stomachs were filled.

I didn’t realize how hungry I was. “How did you like the food, sweetness?”

“It was really delicious, baby. Thank you.” Food was one of her love languages for sure.

“You’re more than welcome, beautiful.”

I paid for our food, and we left. We weren’t even driving for fifteen minutes before Erie fell asleep again. Our babies really took a toll on her.

She would get all the rest she wanted this week and from here on out. I’d already persuaded her to take her maternity leave earlier, so the hard part was done. Thirty minutes later, I pulled up to our cabin and kissed her awake. She whined a little until her succulent and full lips kissed me back. Erie was awake now. She pulled back and stretched her arms out.

“We’re here, beautiful,” I announced.

“Where are we?” she asked groggily.

“We’ve made it to our cabin, Bella. Look.”

Her eyes flitted from me and gazed out of the front window. She turned to me with her mouth agape. Erie's eyes widened in awe.

“This is no ordinary cabin, baby. It is amazing! It’s fit for a king and queen!”

I laughed. Bella was so animated. I climbed out of the truck and walked around to help her out. Once Erie had her balance, she shook her head in awe.

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