Page 33 of Falling for You
Olivia and I are watching the sunrise from the rocking chair in her room.
The first order of business today, while Olivia has her bottle, is to learn about baby sleep habits. Neither Rome nor I can continue if she doesn’t start sleeping better.
Mom will know best. I pull out my phone, looking at the time. It’s a little early for her, but maybe she’s awake.
Me:Good morning, Mom. What are you up to today?
Mom’s response comes through immediately.
Mom:Good morning beautiful. I’m not doing much of anything today. Why do you ask? Do you want to bring that beautiful little baby over?
Me:Yes. Please.
Mom:Meet at Emerald Roasters when you’re ready? Pops is already out helping Liam. And I bet you could use the coffee.
Pops and Liam are working hard on getting the barn ready. They want to turn the stalls back into a working and functioning facility for horses. Being able to offer horseback riding to our guests would be a huge boost for the inn. Especially horseback riding on our trails and down on the beaches. Liam wants to add a sunrise riding tour. He’s shown me photos of the stops he wants to use from the four wheeler and it’d be such a special experience for guests.
Me:Ok. Livvy is eating now. Then we’ll get ready. Maybe she’ll sleep on the way over. >
Once Olivia finishes her bottle, I grab some clothes for her and get to work on changing her and packing the diaper bag for a day out with Mom.
She coos and smiles up at me as I pull the little dress over her head.
“You’re lucky you’re so sweet after keeping everyone up all night, Livvy girl. We’re going to fix that today, aren’t we?” I smile big at her, talking to her in a sweet baby talk voice and tickling her belly with my fingertips.
“She’s so lucky,” a tired, deep voice sounds from over my shoulder.
I turn to face him and I am not prepared for the sleepy Rome with low hung sweatpants, and mussed up hair. He grips the top of her door frame stretching his body forward, every muscle on display just for me. It’s my favorite sight.
He walks toward us placing an arm around my shoulder and leaning over to kiss Olivia’s cheek, then my own.
“Did she go back to sleep?” he asks like he isn’t setting my world on fire right now.
“Uh… no. But we’re going to Mom’s and she’s going to teach me all about sleeping habits for babies.” I give a weak smile.
He finally drops his arm from my shoulder and scoops Olivia into his arms, carrying her over to sit in the rocking chair while I pack her diaper bag.
I watch as he snuggles her nose to nose with him, the two of them cooing back at each other and the sight alone makes my heart seize like it did last night.
“So we’re-—”
“Ems—” we both start at the same time.
I gesture to him, “You go first.”
“Thank you. For everything. I know I’ve been kind of an asshole to you lately, you know, with Hunter and everything. I just want you to know I’m still going to tell him. I promise.” He gives me a half-smile, not the one that reaches his eyes.
“I don’t want you to worry about that right now. Honestly. I don’t want to feel like I’m forcing my way into your world, and your world… well… it’s busy and a lot different now than it was.” I turn to the suitcase tucked into the corner of the room, next to the dresser that we turned into a makeshift changing table.
I can feel him getting closer to me, then he’s right behind me.
“Sunshine, look at me.”
I turn on my knees, only to be met with his cock. Shit. I didn’t think about the fact I was kneeling and he was standing.Stupid.
I pop up fast, not wanting the memories. The last thing I need right now is to fall into Roman Thomas’ bed again.
He wraps his free arm around me, pulling me close to his side. “I’m only ever going to say this once. You areneversomething I’m forced to have in my life.”
