Page 145 of Sassy Love
My family is taking in the sights, with Ruby and Addy as their guides. I’m sure Ma’s in her element following Hattie around. She’s such a devoted grandmother. Almost as devoted as she is to being a mother.
Clouds skim overhead, dotting the crisp blue sky. The snow from last night is scattered in clumps around the park, layered over weighed-down tree branches, on the tops of benches, and melting to small puddles over the paved areas, sending folks stepping sideways as they avoid them.
The park is busy, filled with people enjoying the last day of solace before going back to the grindstone.
Carlie hums, rolling over beside me as her eyes open. “Why’d you let me fall asleep.” She smiles, her fingers tracing the angle of my jaw.
Right now, if I could capture this moment and tuck it away, I would. This right here would be enough to carry me through my darkest moments. I’m not naive enough to think a love like this comes easily. Strong women are a force of nature.
One that’s worth every hard day.
My mother has taught me that.
Then Adds.
Then Rubes . . .
And finally Grace.
I dot a kiss to Carlie’s forehead. Hopefully, I will have the privilege to live my life alongside the best one yet. The woman currently tucked into my side under the fleecy blanket we brought for our picnic slash outdoor nap. “You were tired, Princess.”
“I’m not tired anymore . . .”
Her brown eyes darken.
“Baby, we’ll have to take this picnic indoors if you keep looking at me like that.”
She chuckles, rising a little to peck my lips.
Now she’s gone and done it. I roll over, pinning her down. “You grab the blanket, I’ll get the food basket, we can be home in ten.”
“That’s too long,” she groans.
I chuckle into her hair. “I can have us there in eight,” I growl, nipping her bottom lip.
“Get a room!” some guy yells, flying past on his scooter.
Fucking New York.
“Grab the blanket, baby. We’re outta here.”
I scoop Carlie up, and she manages to grab the basket with one hand and the blanket with the other. As I take off at a run with her in my arms, her head falls back as a hearty laugh tumbles through the prettiest damn parted lips. The basketthumps against my side and I manage to dodge the blanket trailing between my legs as I run with a waddle.
Reaching the edge of the park, I set her to her feet, the basket falling to the ground. She steps over the blanket to cup my jaw in her palms. “How do you manage to make my life so much better with even the littlest of things?”
I sink my mouth over hers briefly, barely leaving her panting lips from mine. “It’s supposed to be easy, that’s what makes it the real thing.”
Hell, loving this woman is as easy as breathing. I take off in my waddled run again, and she cracks up.
“Are you sure? Because you have been anything but easy, Lawson Rawlins,” she teases.
I nip her ear, slowing a little. She moans ever so softly, propelling me faster again. When we make it to my building, I’m well and truly out of breath. But I don’t want to put her down.
Ever, if I can help it.
I push through the front door and take the steps two at a time, letting the burn sear its way through my legs. I drop my gaze to hers, and her face is tightened with something between shock and... awe.
Goddammit, how one parent can screw up his daughter so bad that something as simple as a man caring for her has her in disbelief. Hope he rots in his own karma in whatever life he chose over her.
