Page 91 of For Your Consideration

“Hi, sunshine, how was your day? Were you happy to see your mama?” I asked as she started patting the scruff on my jaw. I wouldn’t be able to shave it now, not with how much Sophie liked it.

“She apparently doesn’t like peas since she tossed them over her head at lunch and Iris had to bathe her in the middle of the day,” Sutton answered. I walked into the living room with Sutton behind me. “Asher.” She shook her head at all the toys set up on the ground.

“I checked to make sure we could keep an eye on her from the kitchen but if you want her closer I have a highchair we can strap her in.” I looked between Sutton and the setup. I had been doing a lot of research on what babies Sophie’s age needed. I knew she would be close to crawling and that as her brain developed certain toys were best for her. I still planned on having Sutton look over it all to be sure it was safe.

Sutton grabbed my arm. “You are a very sweet man.”

“Don’t tell anyone,” I grunted out as she laughed.

“The mat is perfect.” She placed Sophie down and she happily started playing with the blocks that I’d made sure weren’t a choking hazard. I’d also bought a gate to keep her contained once she started crawling but I hadn’t pulled that out tonight.

“Should we stay in here with her?” I frowned down at her. “I’m tall but…” I scratched my head. I’d walked all around the kitchen earlier with a pillow on the mat making sure I could see it from every angle but now I was questioning that.

Sutton grabbed my hand and pulled me to the kitchen. I went willingly. I would honestly go anywhere she wanted as long as she kept touching me.

“She’ll be fine. We can see her and it’s good for her to play by herself.” She let me go once we were in the kitchen and leaned against the counter where she would be able to keep an eye on both of us.

“Do you want wine or lime sparkling water?”

“Water. I need a break from wine. Do you need help?”

“No.” I passed her the glass of sparkling water I’d already assumed she’d pick.

“Well, I would argue but whatever you’re doing looks complicated.” She watched as I started to chop vegetables.

“Jane made it a rule that we all had to cook once a week. Knight and Noah grumbled a lot and did the bare minimum, but I liked it.”

She smiled softly. “That’s a very good skill to teach a kid.”

“I needed to be kept in control. The woman was a genius.”

“So, you like to cook?”

I didn’t really, or well I didn’t when it was just for myself. The idea of feeding Sutton, though, that idea I liked. “For you, I do.”

Honesty might do me some good here.

“So tell me, Asher…”

I stood very still as Sutton slid off the stool and came up into my space. I dropped the knife and gripped the edge of the counter as she pressed her chest against mine. Her eyes were dancing with mischief and she smiled.

She was getting more comfortable with me which I fucking loved but if I touched her now, I would never be able to stop.

“I—”

I looked over her shoulder and frowned. “Sutton, what is your daughter doing?”

She whipped around and the tension between us broke.

Sophie was on all fours and she was rocking back and forth, her eyes locked on us with a smile on her little face.

“Oh my God, oh my God.” Sutton’s voice was high and she took two steps forward and then dropped to her knees. “Come on, baby, you can do it.” She held her arms out and smiled at Sophie.

“Is she about to crawl?” I practically choked on the question as I grabbed my phone out of my pocket and opened the camera, keeping my eyes on Sophie.

I held my breath as I watched her rock backward one last time before she started crawling toward us.

“Come here, Sophie, you can do it!” Sutton clapped her hands together and I snapped as many pictures as I could. Fuck, my chest expanded with pride as I watched Sophie crawl happily toward us. “Ahh!” Sutton squealed as Sophie made it to her. “You did so good!” She hugged her to her chest and I caught that too. She put her back down and then Sophie looked at me and started my way.