Page 33 of The Billionaire's Off Chance

Chapter 16

LANCE

Iwakeupandstare up at the ceiling of the cottage. Christmas lights are illuminating the room. The curtains have a thin opening, showing the rising sun and the slow-falling snow. Chasmin groans in her sleep and rolls to face me, throwing her hand over my chest. I run my fingers through her hair, breathing contently. She smiles, rubbing her soft cheek on my chest. I hold her tighter, rubbing her shoulders. Under the covers, her legs tangle with mine.

“Rise and shine, my beauty. You had a lovely night it seems,” I murmur.

“Yes, baby. I needed this. What time is it” She opens her eyes, rubbing them gently. I’m about to answer her, but she rises and stretches over me to reach her phone on the nightstand. Her breasts press on my chest, and I feel the hard buds of her nipples. She doesn’t seem to notice how much that excites me.

“Oh, it’s already seven am.”

“That means we can stay in bed longer. It’s cold out there, and we need to stay warm.” I hug her, getting on top of her. Her warm body excites me further. I press my face to her chest, enjoying the feel of her breasts.

She sighs and begins to caress my face and play with my hair. I am quite relaxed. Work is far away, and I’m here with my child and Chasmin. “You know, there’s a thing as getting too warm?” She squirms a bit, and I let her slide out from under me so that we’re spooning. “Much better. Let’s stay in bed for a few more minutes. I can’t wait for what you have planned for Eric.” She reaches down and pulls my hand to her lips to kiss it.

“He should be awake by now...”

She laughs and says, “He hasn’t woken up yet. I notice that he likes his morning sleep. Let’s let him be.” She goes quiet, her breathing evening out. I can tell she cares for him, and that makes all the difference for me.

We stay in bed a little longer till it gets bright outside and we are ready to get up. I leave the room to go check on Eric. He’s still asleep, his face pressed into his fluffy pillow. Chasmin is right. I sit on the edge of the bed, looking at him – so peaceful and content. Having such tender emotions well up in my heart is a thing of beauty. I touch his hair, brushing it off from his face. His eyelids flutter for a moment, and he mutters something inaudible.

“Good morning, Son.” I whisper, not too loud so as to disturb him. It seems that my voice isn’t low enough. He opens his eyes, a bit sleepy. He stretches in bed, smiling.

“Dad…” he calls my new name so tenderly that I feel like melting inside. He rolls to me, wrapping his tiny arms around my waist.

“Rise and sun, soldier.” I lift him out of bed, setting him down on my thigh.

He presses his face into my neck, mumbling, “I want to sleep some more. Please.”

“Really? And miss out on having your breakfast. What am I to do about your hot chocolate? Do you also remember the plans for today?” I ask in a comical voice, which makes him laugh.

“Yay, I’ll go brush my teeth now. I’m no longer sleepy.” He jumps up, takes off his shirt and runs to the restroom. I watch all this with a smile, knowing I won’t trade this experience for anything.

I leave and see Chasmin leaving my room in her nightgown. “He’s out of bed. He should be up for a warm mug of hot chocolate anytime soon.” I hug her, feeling her cool smooth skin against mine.

She kisses my chin, humming softly. “He won’t be disappointed. Breakfast is coming up in a minute.” I perceive the aroma of the food from the kitchen, and my stomach rumbles. She places a hand on my abdomen, smiling fondly.

“Can’t wait to taste your meal.” I wink and she giggles, her hands resting on my shoulders. “Eric is such a sweet boy. I’m beginning to enjoy being a father very much.”

I like the way she clings to me when she speaks softly. “Truly, he is. I’m learning how to be a parent along the way, and he’s making it so easy. He should be done brushing?”

I laugh. “He was still in bed when I last checked on him, just like you said he would. I got him to brush his teeth. He should be out in a minute.” The door of his room opens and he pops out.

“I’m done, Dad. Good morning, Chasmin.” A bit of toothpaste clings to his chin and threatens to fall.

Chasmin ruffles his hair, laughing. “It seems so. But you have something on your chin.” She wipes it off. “Got it. Our food is getting cold.” He giggles and runs to the dining room.

“Yes, our food is getting cold, and he’ll eat it all without us.” I follow him as she heads to the kitchen.

The sun is already at its peak when we leave the cottage, stepping out into a cold landscape with a light dusting of snow on the roofs and the ground. Eric runs ahead to the car and wipes the snow off the windshield with his gloved hand.

“Look, Daddy! Snow!” Eric exclaims, his eyes wide with wonder as he watches the snowflakes dance around the car.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it, Eric?” I reply with a smile. “The snow is going to fall harder the closer we get to Christmas.” I open the door, helping him into the car.

“I want to make a snowman and snow angels with you and Chasmin.” He counts on his fingers the things he’d like to do in the snow.

“Very well, young man. We’ll do all that and more. Now, scoot further inside.” Chasmin appears beside me, zips up his jacket, then buckles the seatbelt.

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