Her voice is a soft whisper. “Yes.”
I brush my lips over hers. Once. Twice. Then, I dip my mouth to hers. Never in my life have I put any thought into a kiss. This time though, I don’t want to mess it up. It’s just as important as handling the stick just right as you’re about to pass the puck. One wrong move and the perfect play might ruin your career.
In this case, it might end what could be a lifetime in heaven. I slide my tongue across her lips, and she opens them while she wraps her arms around my neck. I pace myself, enjoying each lazy swipe of our tongues, enjoying the feel of her body against my body, sucking down on those throaty moans that are quickly becoming my favorite sound.
I move my lips to her jawline, nibbling her soft skin all the way to her earlobe.
She tastes sweet. Like flowers, cookie dough, and sugar. I could devour her. Nibble every inch of her skin, drink her in.
I don’t.
I stop myself before we do something we regret. We’re in the park. I refuse to expose her and make her the talk of the town—more than she already is. I’ve heard enough people talking as it is.
“Sorry, I got carried away,” I apologize, tracing her bottom lip with my thumb.
Her brown eyes stare at me with the same lust I feel. “That was…” she pauses. “Nice.”
“Oh, no, baby. You don’t call me nice.”
I claim her mouth, this time deepening the kiss. This time I don’t hold anything back, and neither does she. We’re both desperate and hungry.
This time, she’s the one who stops us. “I have to go home.” She springs out of the bench and takes off.
I follow behind her. When she stops at her doorstep, she finally looks at me. “That shouldn’t happen. I’m not in a good place.”
“Sorry,” I apologize. “If I promise to behave tomorrow, will you still be at the park?”
She nods.
Chapter Nine
Mills
Today is one of those days when I’m thankful for Sophia’s parents. They visit often, and when they’re in town, they’re the ones who help me with Arden. I spend my morning at the factory pretending to work but mostly thinking about Hadley.
Last night after kissing her, she was all I could think about. I spent an hour in the shower taking care of myself because every time I think of Hadley, her soft hair, her glowy skin, and those pouty lips, my cock gets hard as a rock.
My brothers should be thankful that I didn’t have to work at The Lodge, or I’d have upgraded everyone, offered some complimentary breakfast, or given a free night because I’m too fucking distracted.
When the workday is over, I drive home. I plan on walking to Aragon's place to pick him up. When I’m walking from the garage to the main house, I spot Emilio and Natalia Aragon in the outdoor arena with Leyla, Arden, and the horses. So much for having an excuse to drop by the bakery.
As I head toward the main house, I spot Sophia and Henry. They’re sitting on the porch swing.
“Taking the afternoon off?” I joke.
“Fuck off,” Henry growls, kissing his wife’s belly. He shows me a book. “I’m reading to my kids.”
I envy my brothers. That’s something I didn’t experience when Margaret was pregnant. The first kick, the heartbeat during the sonogram, anything that involves the development of a baby before they are born. Since I didn't agree to marry her, she refused to move to Vancouver. If I wanted to see her or learn anything about the baby, I had to travel to Indiana, which was almost impossible.
“I’m glad you’re here,” Sophia says, bringing my mind to a complete stop.
“I live here,” I reply.
“We need to discuss childcare. Your suggestion to open one in Aldry’s is good, but to build it will take some time. We can set up a nursery in one of the empty offices, but we still need help.” She takes a deep breath. “My parents can’t handle five children. They aren’t that young anymore. Have you asked around?”
Hadley could be a great option, but I doubt she’ll say yes to step in when we can’t offer her any money. Plus, kissing would become impossible. I can’t just make out with the nanny. How cliché is that?
“Mills, are you paying attention?” Sophia waves a hand in front of me. “You were distracted earlier, during our meeting. Now you are…what’s happening to you?”
“Lack of sex,” Henry jokes.
I glare at him. “Shut the fuck up, Henry.”
He sets the book down and presses his hands on the sides of Sophia’s belly. “Shh, don’t curse in front of my children.”
“You miss Beacon so much that you’re trying to be the funny one?” I stare at Sophia, hoping she’ll control her man.
“Speaking about Beac,” he says. “Hayes was telling us that he should be here in a couple of weeks. His bandmates are coming with him. That’ll be good because they can help with his recovery while we keep covering for him.”
“Any chance that Grace can be our designated sitter?”
That was the original plan until Beacon got hurt. She spends all her time in the hospital taking care of him.
Sophia shakes her head. “I wouldn’t count on her.”
“Paige’s daughter,” I blurt the words without thinking.
Henry gives me a strange look. “What about her?”
“Paige always says that she was the babysitter of the town.” I almost high-fived myself for thinking on my feet so fast.
“She’s not seventeen anymore.” Sophia rolls her eyes. We’re exasperating as fuck. “She was a social media director. I might be able to get her something at Aldry’s or at Markels if she needs a job. There are other places she can go where diaper changing or dealing with the Aldridge brothers won’t be involved.”
“It was an option,” I offer. “Are you hungry? Maybe you’re missing your late afternoon cookies, and that’s why you’re grumpy.”
Sophia rubs her belly and moans. “You’re right. The babies and I need cookies.”
That sounds more like she needs sex, but I’m not saying a word about it. “You owe me,” I tell Henry, pivoting toward the gate.
“I don’t owe you shit,” he yells. “You’re willingly going for the cookies because you have a crush on the baker’s daughter.”
I flip him the finger and walk away.
“Hello, Ms. Paige,” I greet her as I enter. I notice the display cases are empty. “You’re ready to pack and leave?”
She nods. “Rick and Hadley should be home soon. Your brother, Vance, offered to fly her when the doctor heard Hadley was driving to pick him up.”
She gives me a box of cookies. “Here. This is for you. I know this won’t repay everything your family has done, but it’s something.”
“Is there anything else we can do, other than flying your husband?”
She shakes her head. “No. We’ll be fine. Easton Rodin is at the house fixing it so my husband can get around.”
I’m glad to hear that Easton did as I requested. Let’s hope he keeps my secret too. I begged him not to tell anyone that I’m the one paying for his services and the material.