Page 17 of Curves and Cradles

“Janie, we’re good together.” He pulls me to him and kisses me, his tongue sliding against mine.

I arch into him, my fingers clawing at his back. His hand slides up the front of my shirt to cup my breast, and my nipples harden painfully. Wet desire floods my pussy.

I shake my head and push away from him, putting distance between us. “No. No more sex. I can’t think when you touch me. You can spend time with Stella, but I’m not telling her who you are right now.” Not until I know he’s sticking around, which seems unlikely. He may be here until his next mission, but I won’t put my daughter through the heartbreak of gaining and losing a daddy.

“I’m going to change your mind,” he says. “You’ll soon see that I stick to my word when I make a promise.”

He eyes the bed behind me, and damn if my stupid nipples don’t harden in response. I’m the worst sort of cliché.

“Got anything to write on?”

I turn away, grab the notebook I keep on my nightstand, and hand it to him.

He jots something down and hands it to me. “This is where I’m staying and all my contact information. Call anytime.”

I frown but take the notebook. “You know I’ve been doing this whole parenting thing alone. I’m not going to suddenly need your help because you’re passing through town.”

His jaw clenches. He leans in and kisses my forehead. “I’m never going to disappoint you again, Janie, and that’s a promise.”

Damn me and my stupid heart because I totally want to believe him.

chapterten

Kevin

No more sex.

Jane’s words ring inside my head. She’s putting her role as a mother ahead of that as a woman, and damn if I don’t find that attractive. No adult in my life ever put me first. Jane is exactly what I want as a mom for my kid.

We’ve exchanged texts over the past few days and decided that today, Saturday, will be the first day I get to spend time with Stella.

Stella. My daughter.

I’m a dad. I swallow the panic bubbling inside me. I’ve handled insurgents and terrorists. Surely I can handle spending time with a toddler. I know that’s what she is—a toddler. I googled it along with a bunch of other shit that made me feel like a bastard for not reaching out to Jane while I was gone. I’d wanted time. I thought stolen moments and short phone calls wouldn’t suffice. What a fucking idiot.

I park my leased truck on the street in front of Jane’s bungalow. A few minutes later, she opens her front door.

“Come on in. We’re almost ready.” She turns away, giving me a perfect view of her round ass as she walks across the room. “Stella,” she calls. “Are you ready to go?”

Silence.

“Stellaluna,” Jane says.

A ridiculously adorable giggle comes from behind me, and the sound wraps around my heart like the sweetest of vises. I turn to see the blonde curls and wide blue eyes. I drop into a crouch. “Hey, Stella. Is it okay if I go to story time at the library with you?”

She gives me a shy smile and nods.

“Stella, can you say hello to Mommy’s friend?” Jane asks.

I look at the little girl, her chubby fingers wrapped around a—is that a rubber chicken? She pops a pacifier into her mouth. The little knob on the end declares itself a “mute button.” She gazes up at me with her round dark blue eyes. She does have my eyes.

My heart pounds and clenches. I haven’t felt this way since my first time in combat. So aware of the frailty of life. This is my kid.Mydaughter. I will do anything to keep her safe and happy.

Warm, sticky fingers grab onto mine, and I swallow the lump that suddenly lodges in my throat.

Jane’s hazel gaze takes in the sight. She opens her mouth to say something, then turns away. She grabs the keys off the entryway table and walks to the door. “We’ll take my car. If you can fold your giant body into my compact.”

“No need. I can drive. My truck’s bigger.”

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