Page 57 of Slow Burn
I love our family; what we have with Amelia. But we needed to be us, too. Just us. Just Levi and Brynn. I wanted to spend my life with her. Have forever with her. Someday, Amelia—and any other prince or Princess she gave me—they would have a life, and that would leave just us. We had to build this fairytale on just whatwehad, first.
“Mmm, reminds me of us.” I listen to the lyrics and how they parallel what we have.
“It does. I missed you, too.” Brynn's voice is almost carried away on the music, but I hear it, my arms tightening around her.
They sang about unbreakable chains and I thought we had something like that. No matter how I messed up, she gave me another chance. No matter what she could do wrong, I'd give her one too. I loved her. I thought maybe this time, it would stick.
I was a gentleman for the entire show. We drank some beers and shared a huge overpriced pretzel and laughed and she sang to me. It was the single best night I think I ever had. We walked through the park, kissed and posed for stupid selfies beneath the bean. Afterwards, I took her home.
And not to our home, like I wanted. I knew it wasn't time.
“Do you...I mean...coffee?” Brynn asked as we stood outside her door.
I wanted to. Fuck, how I wanted to shove her inside that apartment on the guise of sharing a coffee. I knew the only thing that would get ground would be my dick, though. And that's not what we were doing this time. Not that people who date can't fuck. But, I digress. I'm getting it right this time. If it kills me.
“Honey...we both know you do not have coffee in there.” Brynn flushed and I smirked, pinning her to the door.
“I mean, no....so, no?” Brynn bit her bottom lip, those eyes wide and needy as she stared up at me.
“Don't look at me like that, baby. It's absolutely yes. You know why I'm saying no. Don't you?” Brynn nods, pouting playfully and hooking her fingers around my neck.
“I do, Levi. Thank you. Doesn't mean I intend to behave.” Then, she kisses me so stupid, I'm not sure how I'm still standing after.
“Fuck.” Is all I manage as she removes herself from my arms, smirking at me.
“Night, baby.” The door is closed in my face and I press against it.
I can't breathe for a few minutes and I'm pretty sure she took me out at the knees with that kiss. But, I am a man with a purpose. A mission. Slay dragons. Win my queen. All that shit. I shove my dick down in my jeans, turn and knock on Hunter's door.
Lola answers with Ford attached to her tit and I spin around. Hunter growls and I hear a swat of his hand on her backside and she giggles. When I turn around, cautiously, Hunter is glaring at me. I throw my hands up and avert my eyes. He's not the kind of dragon I can slay.
“I saw nothing. Overboob, maybe. No nips. Where's my daughter?” Hunter is livid, his bald head pulsing with angry veins at his temples.
“Come in. Lola knows better. My woman is seeking punishment, I think. Not your fault.” By the time we reach the living room, he's almost calm.
“Here's Princess Amelia.” Lola sings, coming back fully clothes and looking like she just won a major award.
“Hey nugget. Come to daddy, Princess.” I barely get my infant in my arms and Hunter is shoving me out.
“Night, bro. Hope the date went well. See ya.” I laugh, glancing back just in time to see him turn and chase Lola down the hall.
I am just about to the stairs when I turn back. Night's not over yet.
“I thought....” Brynn is changed, from her silky dress into my CFD shirt and nothing else.
I want to shove inside and mount her like a fucking animal. The hat is gone, her hair is tumbling around her shoulders in fiery curtains and there's enough bare leg I can only think of them wrapped around me. Brynn peers up at me and the tears in her eyes center me. Ground me and remind me why I turned back. Amelia is nearly asleep, cuddled against my chest, but I couldn't leave without letting my girl have this. Both my girls.
“Thought the Princess might want a goodnight from momma.” My voice breaks as I say it and I realize my heart is thundering, my chest tight.
“Oh...Levi...please.” Brynn steps backwards and I move in close.
With a kind of awkward hug, I shift the baby to her chest. Then I watch as the woman I love holds the most important thing in my life as if it's the most important thing in hers, too. It soothes parts of me I hadn't known were ripped and torn. Brynn buries her face in Amelia's tiny body and sobs softly, rocking her, telling her how much she loves hers, missed her.
“I love you so much.” I planned to wait to say it again, but this comes out despite my plans.
Brynn looks at me over Amelia's head, her eyes sparkling with tears. Her hand comes up from the back of the baby's head, grabbing a fistful of my shirt. One tug and I'm against her. My head drops as her lifts and we're kissing, Amelia between us. I lift away, afraid of crushing the baby and Brynn giggles.
“I love you too baby. Love you both so much. I am so sorry.” Touching my forehead to hers, I cup her jaw, shaking my head.
