Page 94 of Who's Your Daddy
I spin and hop up onto the counter next to him so our shoulders touch. “But there is a lot at stake, Cal.”
He turns, studying me, but he doesn’t interrupt.
“We work together. And Sully and Brian are depending on us.” I bow my head, avoiding his gaze. “And you’ve never been in a relationship that lasted a week, let alone months.”
“Because I’ve never wanted one until now.” His voice is a whisper, the words laced with a sadness I never could have imagined happy-go-lucky Cal experiencing. There’s defeat there too. It’s enough to cause those pieces of my heart to crumble. I want him to laugh, to smile. I want to be the one who cheers him up. Not the person who hurts him.
The thought of working alongside him for the next year while no longer having the ability to make him happy is devastating. It hurts more than the idea of losing the law firm. Of finding a job somewhere else. Of no longer being on the receiving end of the harmless grumbling that Brian and Sully do every day.
“Cal, I…” I’m not sure how to explain it. How to say the words.
“It’s okay.” Shoulders slumped, he forces his lips into the world’s most pathetic imitation of a smile. “Whatever Lola wants.” He shifts away.
“No.Wait.” I snag the front of his button-down and pull him toward me.
His eyes flash, but he quickly regains his composure. “Be very careful with your next move.” His whisper floats against my lips.
The warmth of him, of the knowledge of what I really want, washes through me and my lips tip up in a smile. “Shhh, you’ll ruin it.” Then I press my lips to his, hoping, at least for now, that this says everything I can’t quite put into words.
Chapter 33
Cal
Before her mouth has made contact with mine, my lips curl into a smile. This damn woman just used my own joke against me.
Not that she could do anything to ruin this moment. Nothing could dampen the pure joy surging through me. Not the uncertainty of the future. Not being locked in a closet that smells a bit like mold.
Because Lola just kissed me. Lola isstillkissing me. I pull her to my chest and hug her tight. This is nothing like the lust-induced snogging the night of the charity ball. It’s far superior to the morning after.
This is like coming home. It’s comfort. Like for the first time in my life, a person I can rely on completely exists. A woman made just for me.
She nips at my lips and wraps her legs around my hips, pulling me close. Between one kiss and the next, that comfortable feeling slips into lust. Desire hurtles through me like a freight train.
Fingers threaded through her hair, I tug, forcing her to look at me.
She pants, her warm breath skating over me.
“Is this real?” I ask her. I need to know before I get ahead ofmyself. Because with Lola it’s nearly impossible not to get ahead of myself. I’d blow my entire life up for this woman. Gladly. But not if it’ll hurt my son. Before we’re too far gone, I need to know she’s sure.
“It’s real, Cal. I like you.” Her green eyes search mine, uncertainty and need mingling there. “A lot.”
Chuffed, I peck her lips again and again. “Oh yeah? Like how much?”
With a snort, she shakes her head. “Enough. Don’t let it get to your head.”
“Lola.” I cup her cheeks. “I’m halfway in love with you. I promise I can handle it if youlikeme.”
Her mouth drops open, and a gasp escapes her as if the woman is shocked by my confession. She shouldn’t be. Has she not been paying attention these last several weeks? And was she not listening when I told her my son is falling for her? If I wasn’t feeling the feelings I currently am, the smart thing would be to back away.
She may not have made a grand confession of love, but if she feels even a smidgen of what I’m feeling, if she’s really willing to give us a shot, then there’s hope I can give Murphy everything he deserves.
With two fingers beneath her chin, I gently push her mouth shut. “I probably shouldn’t have been so forward, but I want you to understand where I’m at. And what I’m hoping for.”
With an audible swallow, she nods once. “Okay.”
Something akin to hope floats between us. “Okay?”
The most beautiful smile creeps across her face. “Okay.” Then her lips are on mine again.
