Page 63 of Home Field Advantage
Poppy blushes, tipping her head down as she brushes a loose strand of hair away from her face. The small move reminds me that this is a terrible idea. She’s too young for me, and the last thing I want to do is hurt her when I leave. But dammit, I can’t help myself and the pull my body has toward her.
“So that’s a yes?” Sage asks, climbing out of the car while Poppy rounds the front. Poppy smiles at her and nods her head. “Yes!”
She grabs Poppy by the hand—a handIwould like to hold—and drags her up the front porch. They wait hand in hand while I take the keys out, and the sight before me makes my heart skip a few beats. Sage bounces excitedly and looks up at Poppy like she put every star in the sky.
No sooner do I unlock the door than Sage tugs Poppy in and through the house to her room. I hear her telling her all about her stuffed animals and her collection of books that she can choose from. Poppy’s laughter flows through the house.
It’s addictive and beautiful.
Everything about Poppy is.
I decide to leave them alone for the bedtime story and go to my bathroom to catch my breath. Having Poppy inside my house is making me tense. It’s not even about her reading Sage a story; it’s more about her being in my space. She’s been a temptation, and I’m not sure I can fight it off any longer. The need to press my lips to hers and confirm if they are as soft as they look is overwhelming. I crave to make her laugh so I can hear it on repeat. I want to strip her and taste every inch of bare skin she’s willing to let me devour.
Pressing a palm to my jeans, I will my cock to stay down. Now is not the time to be having these thoughts. It’s damn near impossible not to think about this though when she’s here. In my house. Reading a bedtime story to my daughter.
“Fuck,” I growl before running my hands through my hair and pulling at the ends. Exhaling, I finally have it in me to leave my bathroom.
As I make my way down the hall, I hear Sage giggle and Poppy’s voice carry through the house, forcing my steps to slow.
“Clumsy Gloria fell on the turtle,” Sage says through a deep laugh.
“The tortoise trotted off with a huff and a grumble, muttering, I’m not a rock,” Poppy says in a very animated voice.
A smile tugs at my lips as I stop in the doorway of her room, listening in. It’s not the first time I’ve invaded their privatemoment. This time feels different. This time feels more intimate. A bedtime story is a big deal for kids. I should know because most of the fights leading up to my divorce were because I wasn’t home in time to read one to Sage.
Guilt consumes me with the thought.
My jaw clenches at the reminder, but I’m snapped out of my pity party when I hear them laugh. With one hand on the door frame, I lean in to get a small glimpse of them. I swallow, feeling the air sucked from my lungs as I stare. Sage is cuddled under her blankets with them nestled under her arms. Poppy sits next to her with her back propped up against the headboard and her legs crossed together close to the edge of the bed.
“The end,” Poppy reads, closing the book.
“That was such a good one. It was sad in some parts,” Sage says, sitting up in bed. “They were so mean to her because she was clumsy. But she made new friends. Like I did when I moved here!” She beams.
“You’ve made some great friends here.”
She pauses, looking from the book to Poppy, and I hold my breath, waiting for the next thing out of Sage’s mouth, but it’s not what I expected her to say.
“I think you’re my greatest friend, Poppy. I really love you so much.”
“I think you’re one of my best friends, too, Sage.” She bops her nose with her pointer finger. “I think it’s time for you to go to bed, though. We don’t want your daddy mad at me for keeping you up late.”
“He won’t be mad. He rarely ever gets mad.”
Poppy smiles, and it hits me right in the chest. Not just the smile, but the way she interacts with Sage. I know she’s her teacher; it’s what they do. They’re kind, compassionate, and caring. But this is different. She’s not being paid to do this. She’s doing it because she genuinely cares about Sage.
Stepping into the room to make my presence known, I clearmy throat. Both of them snap their heads in my direction. Sage’s face lights up, and it’s my favorite thing ever.
Poppy moves to stand from the bed. “I was just getting ready to head out. We finished Clumsy Gloria.”
“Wait, one more thing,” Sage says, sitting up on her knees in bed and facing me. “Daddy, can Poppy put my hair in a braid before she goes?”
I look from Sage to Poppy, letting her answer because I don’t want to keep her longer than she wants to be here.
I mean, I do, but for selfish reasons.
“My hair gets messy when I sleep without one. It’s like a rat’s nest, my mommy says.” Sage laughs, and Poppy does too.
“How about I teach your dad how to do it so you can have one every night?”
