Chapter 12
1232 Words
Lacey
It's been two weeks since Nate and I sat down and talked and I honestly don't know why I was so worried about him not wanting us.
Every day, he shows up at the bakery to get his lunch and check how I am, and every night, he comes over spending time getting to know Cassidy and helping me make dinner, doing all the things a family would do.
I haven't let him stay the night yet, and he's been great about respecting my wishes. I wanted him and Cass to get to know each other without the pressure of 'us' influencing the relationship between them.
Tonight though, I'm hoping to change all that. I've invited Nate over for dinner and movie night with me and Cass, and I've told him that I think we should tell Cass about him and the fact that he is her father.
Hearing the timer go off on the oven, I quickly take the lasagne out, not wanting to burn it. Moving back to the worktop, I placed the lasagne on the cooling rack and headed into the dining room to set the table.
Cassidy is over at Ellie's house playing. The two of them have been inseparable, which has definitely made the move easier for my girl.
As I lay out the place settings, I wonder to myself how tonight will go. I know even in this short amount of time that Cassidy adores Nate and that she has always been curious about her father. I always told her good things about him when she asked, but I never got up the courage to tell her any details about him.
The sound of the doorbell brings me back to the present as I look down at the nicely set table. Making my way to the front door, I can feel my heart beat picking up its pace as butterflies begin to form in my stomach.
As I open the door, I am immediately hit by the intoxicating scent of Nates cologne, a mix of vanilla and something woody, which reminds me of sitting by a fire on a cold winter night.
Looking up, I am met with those intense green eyes that feel like they can see straight into my soul. I stand there, unable to form words as he moves closer to me until there is no space left between us. Leaning in, I can feel his breath tickle the shell of my ear as he whispers to me.
" You look beautiful, Kitten. I can't wait to spend the evening with you and our girl, and who knows, you might even let me stay the night." His words rumble straight through me, causing my breath to hitch as heat pools between my legs.
I can't lie and say the thought of Nate being in my bed with me hasn't been on my mind ever since we reconnected. There is something about him that does things to me that I can't explain.
" So, where is short stuff?" Nate asks, breaking me out of my inappropriate thoughts.
" She's over playing with Ellie, I was just about to head over and tell her that dinner is ready." I reply as I take a step past him.
I am stopped suddenly as Nates arm darts out and wraps around my waist, pulling me flush against his chest.
" W..ww..what are you doing?" I manage to stammer out, our close proximity sending me into a panic.
" If she is happy playing over there, then we should let her stay for a little longer." A sly grin breaking out across his face as he looks down at me, still not releasing me from his grip. I can't deny the comfort that spreads through me as a begin to relax in his muscular arms.
Guiding me back inside, Nate leads the way into the living room, our touch never breaking as my mind gets lost in the thought of him and I.
My daydream is suddenly broken when I remember that I was meant to be picking up Cassidy and we were going to have dinner and talk about who Nate really was.
Pulling back I look up at the man who haunts my dreams and who is now standing there with nothing but pure lust and something else I can't quite decipher.
" We can't...... I need to go and get Cass." I rasp as Nate leans in, running the side of his face up my neck as he inhales deeply.
" Fine Kitten, but I will be continuing this later."
I struggle to find my footing as I push up off the couch, the thought of what later might bring is making me weak at the knees.
Dinner ends up going by in a flash with Cassidy talking our ears off about the adventures she and Ellie had got up to, my heart swelling with joy knowing my daughter has made such a sweet friend. Afterwards Nate and I washed the dishes in silence while Cass got in her pyjamas and picked out her favourite movie for us to watch... The parent trap.
Jumping up onto the couch, Cass turns to us and smiles, holding her hands out for the big bowl of popcorn Nate is carrying.
Settling in on either side of our cheeky girl, Nate and I watch and listen as Cassidy talks the whole way through the movie, telling about how she wishes she had a long lost twin that she would find one day and then she would have a mum and dad.
My heart breaks at her words knowing that I am the reason that she doesn't know her father although in fairness to me, my parents had me convinced he wouldn't want us.
It's strange how easily the three of us fit together as if we all just know, we are meant to be a family.
By the time the credits roll around, Cassidy is snoring her little head off. Nate has his arm around her shoulders as she dozes, her head resting on his chest. I watch my little girl safely tucked into her father's side.
" I guess our talk will have to wait till tomorrow." I whisper, knowing it would be a bad idea to wake Cass.
Giving me a smirk, Nate stands carefully, cradling our girl as he looks at me motioning to the stairs.
I follow quietly as we head up to our girls room, relieved when she stays asleep as we tuck her into bed.
Tiptoeing out of her room, I head towards the stairs when a strong arm suddenly wraps around my waist and pulls me back until I am flush against Nates chest.
" Where do you think you are going?" he asks, a shiver running through me at his words.
" I....uhh..."
" Kitten. The bedroom is that way."
Nate motions to the door at the end of the hallway, the one standing between us and my bed.
Turning in his arms, I look up at the man of my dreams, nerves reaching an all time high as I look into his deep green eyes.
" You....you want to stay?" I finally manage to ask.
" I've wanted too every damn night since you came back Kitten. Now, let me show you what you've been missing all these years..."
- Writer
