Page 53 of All I Desire

Chapter Fourteen

MATTHEW

Natalia walksaround my Grumman G44 Widgeon, which is sitting in the driveway — well, the runway —of my house. This small plane is my pride and joy. A piece of history, a beautiful flying machine, and my favorite way of spending a few hours.

Outside of the things Natalia and I just did inside my house.

“This. Is. Incredible. So, you keep it in your hangar and then just fly away. Right from your house. Amazing.” She touches her fingertips to the body of the white and yellow plane. “This is a strange-looking plane.”

“Yep. There aren’t many of these in operation. Fewer than three hundred in the world. I was lucky to find one. And see these?” I slap a float underneath the wing.

“Yeah. I was going to ask you about those. I’ve never seen them on any other plane.”

“They’re floats. This is an amphibious plane.”

She stops and her jaw drops in astonishment. Natalia is gorgeous when she’s surprised. “You mean, this plane goes in the water?”

“Yep. I can land it right in the water. And take off, too. Someday, we’ll fly around the island and I’ll show you. We can land right near Dockside Dan’s and then tie up, like a boat.” I guide my hand in a flying then landing motion.

“No way,” she squeals. “That’s the coolest thing I’ve ever heard. I can’t wait to experience it.”

She walks over and wraps her arms around me, and I draw her in for a hug. It’s Friday night, and I’m about to fly across the state to pick up my daughter.

“Have a good flight,” she murmurs into my neck.

“Thank you for coming over.”

“Glad we could have these couple of hours before, um, your weekend starts. Before your daughter gets here.”

My balls are still tingling from what Natalia and I did for those couple of hours. She’d come over under the pretense of seeing my house and the plane, but in reality, we’d gotten naked and fooled around on the sofa. And on the bed. And in the shower. I can’t get enough of her, and these past several days of seeing her nightly have been incredible. As much as I’m excited about having my daughter here, I’m a bit worried about how things will change between Nat and me.

“I’m going to get Chloe settled in school and with her nanny, so don’t start thinking this is the end of us, okay?” I tilt Natalia’s face up. “And my sister’s coming at some point, which means she and Chloe will be spending some quality girl time together. Which means you and I will get to spend some quality us time together.”

“I’m not worried. And I want you to spend time with her. She’s your priority. You’re an incredible dad. I mean, look at that room you set up for her. It’s like a ten-year-old’s dream sleepover room, with the bunk beds and the aqua and white pillows. I’m just some rando you met…” Her voice trails off wistfully, and she shrugs.

I press my lips to hers. “You’re someone I want in my life. We’re doing this. Exploring this. It’s what adults with kids do, have relationships. I’m a dad. I’m not dead.”

She shifts from foot to foot. “Right! I know. It’s just different for me. I’ve never dated anyone with kids and um... never really wanted them. I don’t know.”

My stomach plummets. “So, are you trying to let me down easy and break it off?”

The wild look in Natalia’s eyes tells me that I’ve probably interpreted her words incorrectly. “No! No. Not at all. I just want to make sure everything’s good for Chloe. She needs you. I mean, I need you too. But in a different way. I’m an adult, so I can deal.” She laughs. “None of that came out right. What I’m trying to say is, I don’t want to compete. Your daughter should be your priority. I’m here for you the rest of the time. Or any time you need me. It’s all good, Matthew.”

I grab Natalia and hug her tight to my body. “You’re incredible. Some women get jealous or upset when guys spend time with their kids.”

“Oh, sweets, I’d never do that. And I can’t wait to meet her on Sunday. We’re going to have a blast at the party. Leilani’s organized the craziest morning. And I can’t wait to meet your sister.”

We hug for several minutes, and I’m wondering why this feels like a larger goodbye than it really is.

“Okay, I’d better get going. Chloe’s mom’s driving her to the executive airport in Fort Lauderdale with her stuff, and I’m going to land and pick her up, then fly right back. Thanks for coming over. And seriously, thank you for bringing that unicorn stuffed animal for Chloe.”

“You don’t have to tell her it’s from me if it’s not appropriate. I just wanted her to have it. Text me when you return?” Natalia runs her hand through my hair.

“Definitely. What are you doing tonight? I forgot to ask.”

“I’m headed over to Ma and Dad’s. They’ve been wondering why I haven’t stopped by in a week. Ma’s making a big dinner and I think she wants to talk about their anniversary party. She’s said she wants Damien here, so they postponed it from when it would have happened over the summer. It’ll happen early next year instead, and I hope you can come.” She grins.

“Hope I can too.”

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