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“She’s out. I think that it will be a quiet night.” He handed me a bottle and took the other side of the bed as he swallowed most of his.
“Good.” I sipped mine and reflected on what just happened. I still had my doubts about this, but I felt too good to worry about it now. Nathan dropped back against his pillows and looked at me. “What?”
“Are you going to sleep in here with me?” I smiled at the question. Sex was one thing but sleeping together was intimate in a different way. That would be cuddling and warmth, waking up and having sex again if we had time. That would be continuing this.
“Do you want me to?” I asked as he pressed his lips together.
“I haven’t held a woman in a long time and I would like to do it with you. I told you this is different.”
“What if Ella comes in?” I asked as he laughed.
“She won’t get anything yet. She’d probably love to sleep between us.” I nodded, realizing that he was right. She wouldn’t know a thing, but she’d be able to tell someone down the line. By then, it might not matter anymore for a few reasons. Ella might even forget if we ended. He shut off the one lamp and let the fire keep going before he pulled the covers over us. Nathan turned towards me and pulled me close, nuzzling my hair. I sensed something in this gesture and pressed against him.
“Are you okay?” I asked him, stroking his skin.
“I have fucked a few women after nights at the bar in the past few months. Not here. I did that before I got married as well but it was different then… just casual. Now it feels empty and makes me feel more off balance. When I met you, I wanted more but I couldn’t put it into words at first.” I looked into his eyes in the light of the moon.
“It’s only been a few days.” I mentioned as he nodded.
“I know that.” He dropped against the pillows and closed his eyes. “I think we should go to the beach every night. It’s good for everyone.”
“I agree.” I let him pull me into his chest and I closed my eyes. This felt good. I gave in and allowed the exhaustion to take over if only for tonight.
Chapter 10: Nathan
I woke up before Ella, breathing in Riley’s scent. She was sleeping peacefully, and I looked at her as I played back last night. I’d never wanted a woman that way before and the speed at which it happened caught me off guard. I was going to hold it at bay, hoping that it passed but Riley was like a fucking magnet.
It was the way she was with Ella that hit me the most. She was kinder to my daughter than her own mother had been. She was interested in how Ella grew up and that was what made me fall harder for her.
I rolled to my back and stared at the ceiling. Though I woke up early, I’d slept hard for the first time in a while. It felt good, and I stretched as I let it sink in. Things might be turning around for me.
I knew that I was working all day and that the girls would be on their own. I wasn’t worried about it like I used to be with Brenda. I knew that Riley would only have Ella’s safety and happiness in mind today and every day thereafter. I could focus on my job in my time there and spend quality time at home. It was going to be great, and I stretched before rising to make some coffee.
I checked on Ella on the way down, seeing her stirring. She’d be up soon. I headed down to get started and brewed the coffee while I took a long look outside. It was beautiful, and I wished that I could stay home again. I heard Ella upstairs, but she quieted down quickly as I frowned. I stared at the stairs, seeing Riley dressed in a robe that was at least two sizes too big, holding Ella in her arms.
“I got her. She started stirring just as I was waking up.” Riley blushed as she looked at me and I smiled at her before reaching for Ella.
“I’m making coffee.” Riley smiled and stretched. “I like the robe.”
“It’s all I could find in a hurry. You left my clothes in the gym last night.” She laughed as I kissed Ella and told her good morning. She poured two cups of coffee for us and got Ella some milk before asking if she should make some breakfast. I brought the milk to the couch with me after I nodded and cuddled my daughter as I heard Riley working in the kitchen,
Damn, this was nice.
The eggs and sausage were done by the time Ella was fully awake and I took her to the table to get her in her seat. Riley served up food on two plates and brought them over before getting her own. She also brought my coffee, and I took a long sip of it. Ella put pieces of everything in her mouth, chewing slowly as we ate and stared at each other across the table.
“I don’t usually wake up this hungry,” she noted as she smiled wickedly at me.
“I wouldn’t mind you waking up that hungry every day,” I shot back as she blushed. “I slept great last night.”
We finished breakfast, and I stood to shower and get dressed. I needed to head to the office and came down dressed to go. Riley and Ella were playing on the floor with her dolls and I smiled down at them as Riley glanced up. She’d changed into some leggings and a t-shirt and her hair was pulled back.
“I have to head in. Take the car if you want to go anywhere. There’s a card in the glove compartment for gas and it had all the bells and whistles, including GPS. Otherwise, have a great day. Want me to bring anything home for dinner?”
“I like Thai food. Is there a place near work?” She asked as I nodded. I wanted to lean down to kiss her, but Riley left to head into the kitchen as I kissed Ella. She walked back out, and I kissed her cheek, trying to read her face. “I’ll see you later.”
“Bye.” I walked out to the garage and got into the car, starting the engine. I pulled out and drove into midtown San Diego to work. I was the man that worked the longest hours here as the owner, I had since I opened it, but I knew with Ella getting older, things needed to change.
I was in the office drinking coffee and looking over emails when Mark stepped in. He led the most productive team here, and he grinned at me as he sat down.
