Page 29 of Other Side Of Never
Primarily his own.
But I feared he’d never get to the point where he might accept it.
8
Playing Hooky
“Ace!”Icalledoutas Kian walked in with Isaiah.“What are you doing here on a Tuesday morning?Don’t you have camp?”
Ignoring the cacophony of the breakfast rush, I set my empty tray down on the closest table.Reaching back to secure the apron strings dangling down my back, I smiled at Isaiah before throwing a questioning glance at Kian beside him.
Isaiah grinned, his big blue eyes growing larger still with his excitement.“Me and Dad are playing hooky!”
“Oh, yeah?”I smiled at his innocent jubilation.I hoped life didn’t steal it from him too early.I ran the few steps to the hostess stand and grabbed two menus in case they wanted them before walking them to their usual table.“What are you celebrating this time?”
I glanced at Kian, looking as good as any man had a right to with his rumpled hair, fitted tee, and worn jeans, my brow furrowed at his scrunched nose as he slid into the booth.
“Dad’s birthday!”Isaiah grinned then confided, “He’s old!”
“Today?”My eyebrows shot up as I turned my attention to Kian.“Your birthday is today?”
“It’s not a big deal,” he replied, the corners of his eyes crinkling.“I’ve stopped counting.”
“Oh, really?”I cocked my head to the side.“Let’s say you were counting,” I teased.“What number would you be on?”
“41.”
I pretended to faint.“That is old!”
Isaiah laughed while Kian slanted me a warning glance.“You’ll catch up soon enough, lady.”
I dipped my chin and smiled wickedly.Moving in close, I dropped my mouth to his ear and whispered, “I blew past 41 a while ago, little boy.”
He jerked his head to the side, grazing his cheek against mine, his stubble sending shockwaves of desire straight to my clit.
His breath danced over my collarbone.
My lips parted as my eyes fluttered shut.I exhaled with a small huff.
“Bridget,” he muttered, his voice tight.“Not my ears.”
I chuckled darkly.“No,” I agreed, my lips barely touching his lobe.
He shuddered.
My heart lurched in my chest, delight warming me to my bones.“Not your poor little ears,” I breathed.
“You okay, Dad?”
I stood up, laughter spilling from my lips, to find Kian lost in a daze.Squeezing his shoulder, I turned to Isaiah.
“He’s good, Ace.I was just giving him trouble for not telling me about his birthday.”I held my hands up in a shrug.“How can I help you celebrate if I don’t know?”
Kian gave his head a shake, his chin dipping down as he stared at the table.
My smile slowly faded.
“Isaiah,” I said, grabbing his attention.“Go find Susie and tell her it’s Daddy’s birthday.”
