Page 60 of The One I Want
“Do you think Dad will like it?” Magnolia asks.
“Of course he will,” Betsy says. “One, it’s awesome. And two, it’s from you guys. Which makes it extra special.”
“I don’t know if Mom liked our presents,” Hank said, sounding worried.
“Why would you say that?”
“I don’t know. She just didn’t seem excited.”
“I’m sure she was,” Betsy says. “Everyone just shows excitement differently. Now, come on, let’s finish wrapping these presents before your dad gets back.”
I have to bite my fist to prevent myself from not screaming or hitting a wall. I really want to do both. Since this started, I told myself I’d never deny Cara the chance to see the kids. Even though our custody agreement only has summers and certain holidays, if she called and said she wanted to see them, I’d let her. But after hearing that? Oh, we are going to have a talk. Alongone.
I take a few deep breaths, doing my best to reel in my anger. I can’t let them see me like this. I also don’t want them knowing that I overheard everything. I turn to walk away, but before I can get anywhere, the door swings open.
“Daddy!” Magnolia screams, holding up her arms for me to pick her up. I do as she asks, because I will never not hold my daughter when she asks me to. She’s six, and soon these moments are going to stop. But I never want them to. When Emerson started doing things for herself, yes, I was sad, but I had Hank behind her. Then soon Magnolia. But now there’s no one left. When these moments end, that’s it.
So yeah, I’m going to hold my daughter. And I’m not letting go until I have to.
“What’s going on in there?” I whisper.
Her baby blue eyes get big as she looks back to the door then snaps her head back to me. “Nothing. Nothing for you to see. Can I have a snack?”
The teenage years will be easy if she continues to be this bad of a liar. “No snack, we’re going to have lunch soon.”
“Oh, well, then let’s go make lunch.” She wiggles down from my hold and grabs my hand, pulling me down the hallway. “I think you should make me lunch.”
I have to hold in my laugh. “Shouldn’t we get your brother and sister?”
“They can do it themselves.”
We only get a few more steps when I hear commotion behind me.
“Dad!” Hank yells, running toward me. Emerson follows out of the door with Betsy, who shuts the door behind her.
“What are you guys up to?” I ask as I give Hank a hug.
“Top secret,” Betsy says. “No Dads allowed.”
“Well, far be it from me to interrupt,” I say. “Hey kids, why don’t you go downstairs and get out what you want for lunch. Betsy and I will be down in a second.”
“Just don’t go in the room.” Magnolia turns to Betsy and points her finger at her, putting on her most determined face. “Don’t let him in there.”
Betsy crosses her heart. “I wouldn’t dare.”
The kids run off, though Emerson does give us an assessing look before she makes her way down the stairs.
“Hey, I don’t know how—”
I don’t let her finish the sentence. Actually, the next sound out of her mouth is a gasp as I pull her into my bedroom and slam the door shut. That gasp is quickly muffled as I take her lips with mine.
We immediately sink into the kiss. My arms wrap her around her waist, bringing her in as close as I can. God, she feels good. I thought she did last night. But part of me was worried it was all made up in my head. That somehow it was the byproduct of yesterday’s events and last night’s booze.
But it’s not. She feels even better. Her lips are sweeter. Her curves are softer. Her purrs as we move our bodies against each other are the most perfect sound I’ve ever heard.
If I had any remaining concerns of this being a bad idea, that’s gone now. A man can’t experience this and choose to not want it again.
I slowly pull away, leaving her searching for breath as she leans against the door.
