Page 45 of Better Daddy
“I can’t believe you remembered,” she murmurs as she brings it to her lips.
“How could I ever forget?” That’s the problem though, she believes I did. Sloane’s eyes flicker with surprise at my comment and I don’t look away. I hold eye contact, and that surprise melts to warmth. To desire. So I take a chance. “How about that dance?”
Her lips twitch almost imperceptibly, and my heart rate kicks up. She sets her glass down and holds out a hand to me. The second I take it, my body electrifies because in a moment, my wife’s body will be pressed up against mine. Finally.
I allow her to slip past me, to head to the dance floor, and when her back is to me, I shift and give a quick snap of my heel against the leg of Will’s chair, causing the chair to give out and fly backwards. As he tumbles, falling onto the floor, I can’t hide my smirk.
Dumbass didn’t even brace himself.
With long strides, I’m behind Sloane before she even spins to face me. “What’s so funny?”
I shake my head, not wanting to ruin the moment with talk of Will. Focusing instead on her, I tell her exactly how I feel. “I’m just happy to be here with you.” When her cheeks flush in response, that kernel of happiness grows. “Come here, sweetheart,” I murmur as the live band breaks into a slow ballad.
Hesitantly, she steps toward me, and I wrap my arms around her waist, pulling her close in the way my body has been craving. I expect her to be rigid beneath my touch. Instead, she melts against me like she’s been wanting this as much as I have. Feeling bold, I tuck her against my chest. She rewards me by resting her head on my shoulder and letting out the softest sigh. The almost inaudible breath, a sign of her finally relaxing with me, settles something in my chest, and then inflates like a balloon. Nothing could be better than this.
We need more of these moments. I have to find a way to make them happen. To create time for the two of us. If we have the opportunity to reconnect, to really be all-in with one another, I’m certain we can fix the brokenness between us. We have to because nothing has ever felt as right as having Sloane in my arms. She was made to be mine. And I’m most certainly only hers.
As the song plays, we sway without speaking, my finger making slow circles on her lower back. I want the song to go on forever so we can stay here in this moment until the end of time.
Unfortunately, the music fades all too soon, and Sloane pulls back.
She peers up at me. “Walk me to the ladies’ room?”
I want to pull her back in and stay right where we are, but I release her easily. She could have used the restroom as a way to escape me. Instead, she isn’t quite ready to let me go either. So I take her hand in mine and hold out an arm, gesturing for her to lead the way.
She looks from our hands to my face, her throat bobbing, but shedoesn’t pull away. It’s another small victory. One I’ll gladly take. Though she doesn’t say anything as we make our way out the doors, her eyes light up as we meander down the cobblestone streets toward the loo, and when the carolers start an a cappella version of “Oh Christmas Tree,” she breaks into a smile.
With each step we take, I’m lighter on my feet. I’m full of an ease I haven’t experienced in years.
“You’ll wait?” she asks when we finally make it to the bathroom.
“Forever.” I duck my chin and meet her eyes, hoping like hell she sees how sincere I am. If I have it my way, I’ll be standing in front of her with open arms until my last breath.
Her chin wobbles, but she dips it quickly in a nod and then disappears inside.
“Kicking his chair wasa littlechildish, baby daddy,” Julius teases as he approaches.
I shrug. Maybe, but damn did it feel good. “A man shouldn’t take another man’s wife out if he’s not willing to pay the price, Caesar.”
Julius chuckles. “She’s here with me.”
My heart thumps against my sternum as he rocks back on his heels, a smile on his lips. It’s not a cocky one. It’s friendly.
Bollocks, the bloke is giving me an olive branch.
Sloane is not the kind of woman who’d date her assistant. Ever. Though I wouldn’t put it past her to make me jealous. Hell, I’m not even the slightest bit upset about the white lie. It shows she cares.
“My wife wanted to make me jealous,” I mutter, almost to myself. My lips twitch as a smile breaks through.
Julius nods and holds out a hand. “It’s possible you don’t deserve it, but I’ll help you anyway.”
I eye it skeptically. “Help me?”
He lifts one manicured brow. “If you’re going to win baby mama back, you’ll need all kinds of help.”
I frown at the insinuation. I’ve got a plan. I just have to stick to it.
“Julius?” Sloane steps up next to us.
