Page 109 of Broken Dreams
I laugh, imagining her face turning red with embarrassment. She’s so fucking cute and I wish I was a different man, a better one. I wish I could unlive the hell I’ve been through so that I was in a head space that would allow me to be more for her.
However, already the relationship she has with Jett terrifies me. The kid doesn’t even want to go into daycare without Addison and Elodie. He asks about going to their house almost every damn day for dinner or to play.
While a lot of it is that he adores Elodie, I see how much he likes Addy too.
I have to protect him as much as I can. He is lucky that when he lost his mother, he was too young to ever feel that pain. I did. I felt it for him and for me. I grieved for the both of us and it’s my job as a father to ensure he doesn’t know that incredible level of sadness.
Not to mention, this has been a huge adjustment for the both of us. I’m trying to be a full-time father after he was living with her parents. I visited all the time, and they came to me, but there were months when I couldn’t. Times where Jett only saw me on a phone screen. I need to build this relationship with him.
I roll over, adjusting the pillow and forcing myself to put some more distance between us. In a week or two, I might have my funding and the wedding will be over. Which means this arrangement will be too.
It’s late, dove. Get some sleep. I’ll see you tomorrow.
Addison
Are you okay?
Yeah, why?
Then her face is filling my screen as the video ring plays. I swipe to answer and I swear my fucking heart stops when I see her beautiful face. Her eyes are soft, hair pulled up on the top of her head the way girls do, and there’s just a soft glow from her bedside table. She’s so fucking gorgeous.
“Because you went from playful to going to sleep,” Addy says before I can speak.
“I’m fine, just finally got a little tired. Why couldn’t you sleep?”
She rolls over so she’s on her stomach and sighs. “I guess I’m nervous about my mother-in-law. I have always been really close with Judy, and it feels different having you meet her. She was Isaac’s mother and I can imagine the pain she’s going to feel when she sees me with another man.”
“Maybe I shouldn’t meet her,” I suggest. “I can take a courier job and then she just doesn’t have to meet me.”
“I thought of that, but you know, one of the perks of us is that the hard stuff isn’t so hard. Having her meet you might be the best possibility. If she hates you, then you’re gone in a few weeks and all is well.”
I laugh and shake my head. “I haven’t met a woman who doesn’t love me.”
“I can think of a few.”
That has me sitting in a second. “Who?”
“Mrs. Symonds doesn’t think you’re good enough for me.”
Jesus, those women are maddening. “She’s right.”
Addy nods. “I know, I told her we were both aware of the fact that I am much too perfect for the likes of you.”
“And yet, you still begged for my cock last night.”
The blush I love so much returns to her face. “You say things just to shock me.”
“I do,” I admit. “I’m breaking you out of that box you put yourself in.”
It’s one of the things I’m enjoying the most. Watching her learn what she likes and trusting me to give it to her is something I don’t take for granted. It’s also been the best sex of my life and why I crave it so much.
“You’re doing a good job of it.”
“I wish I was doing it right now.”
Her smile is soft as she rolls onto her back. She bites her lower lip for a second and I know that’s her sign that she wants to say or do something, but is building the courage. I stay silent, hoping to all that’s holy it’s that she wants me to get up and go there. If she asks it, I won’t have the strength to say no.
“Grady?” She moves the phone to the side table and her hand moves down her chest to her shorts. “How fast can you get here? I’m starting without you.”
