Page 28 of Wes
My brows crease. “But she dated before me.”
He nods. “She’s only brought two men around before you, son. Neither of them put that look in her eyes. As a father, you understand what our child’s happiness means to us. She’s experienced far too many obstacles.” He says the latter with a silent warning in his voice and a hard glint staring back.
I lean in. “Did she share how we met?”
Charles shakes his head.
I debate how much to tell him and decide to lay it all out. “After my ex began using our son to manipulate me, a part of me broke, something our divorce hadn’t done. I decided between my age and what Reece was going through, I couldn’t risk it happening to another child. I got a vasectomy, severing any chance I’d have another and protecting a child from the same fate as my son. Well, I’m stubborn and didn’t listen to the doctor. I was supposed to skip a game and ended up at the ER after my swelling got out of hand. Natalia was the nurse in charge of my care. Making the choice to never have another child of my own was a decision I’d been okay with. After all, as a teacher and coach, I have many adopted kids. Now? I look into her brown eyes and question if I made the right decision. She’s a damn fine woman and an amazing mother.”
A shadow crosses Charles’s expression, but he only nods in agreement and says, “That she is.”
Unease causes my stomach to clench, and I wonder if the entire truth was too much information for the older man.
Movement catches my attention, and I find Natalia standing nearby with her hand over her mouth. Her mother’s arm is around her shoulders, and I push to my feet. Tears shimmer in her eyes, and my heart squeezes.
“Charles? I think it’s time we go, love.”
I really don’t know what’s happened other than she heard me. Her parents go to Jeremy’s room and say good-bye before we walk them out. The entire exchange is odd and quick. Natalia shuts the door and faces me.
I pull her toward me. “Baby, what did I say?”
Natalia grabs onto my arm and moves us toward the couch in the living room. “I’m sorry. I should have told you this, but—”
My brows furrow in confusion, and I try to understand what she plans to share. “Tell me what?”
“Jeremy’s pregnancy was rough for reasons you can imagine,” she says. “It was also very complicated. I nearly lost him and my own life. In order to save me, the doctor had to perform an emergency hysterectomy.”
A muffled sob escapes her, and I pull her onto my lap. This woman I love is wrecked and traumatized. I squeeze her tight, hoping I can keep her together. Tears blur my vision when her pain becomes mine. I finally understand why my overheard words caused the others to flee.
She takes a deep breath to calm herself, and the tears subside. “Even if you wouldn’t have had the vasectomy, there is no way for me to have another child.”
“Baby, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. I’m happy as fuck the doctor saved you though. As long as I have you, the rest is extra. We already have our sons, and they are more than enough.” Pulling her face back toward me so I can meet her glorious eyes, I smile. “God, I love you, Natalia Kruze.”
Her lips part with surprise. “What?”
I chuckle. “I know you heard me, woman. I said Iloveyou! After everything with Bridge, I didn’t think I’d meet a woman who would make me want to risk it all. But here you are, crying because you can’t give me a little girl who looks like you even though I already decided to not have more before you entered my life. I fucking love you with all my heart!”
She smiles, and it’s brilliant and lovely—everything she is. “I love you too!”
I smash my lips onto hers and kiss her with everything I have. She deserves so much, and I hope I can give it to her. I know things are still early, and we have more to learn about each other, but it will come with time. Time we have, and our sons need time.
“What?” I ask when she slips from my lap.
“Follow me.” Her eyes are dark with arousal, her lips puffy from my rough kiss. She’s never looked more beautiful.
I’m not sure where she’s taking me, but there’s no way I’m not following her, especially when she is looking at me like that. My dick presses against my jeans, and I’m thankful for the long polo covering my bulge. Nothing will cool us off like checking on our sons.
We exit through the back door, however, and I see a shed she’s pulling me to. I swallow my chuckle because there is no way we’re stopping on my account. Inside, she flicks on a light, and I note there aren’t any windows. I see a folded chair in the corner and use it to block the door. When I face her, she’s in her bra and shimming out of her jeans. Taking her lead, I strip out of my clothes.
We draw near each other and caress every inch of skin we can reach. I undo the snap to her bra and take one nipple and then the other into my mouth. Natalia grips my hair, pulling me tight against her breast.
My heart is pounding against my ribs, my breaths are short and shallow, and my dick is rock hard. Sliding my fingers through her folds, I find her wet and ready. “Shit.”
“What?” she asks between kisses along my chest.
“No condom. I didn’t think—”
Her hand wraps around my length, and I hiss with pleasure. “No need, remember? I’m clean and only with you.”
