“Josh, can I ask you a question?” Victoria asked, after she cued up the movie with the remote.
“Sure. Ask away.” I stretched my arm along the back of the couch before she plopped next to me.
“Are you my father?”
My mouth went dry as I froze. I’d told Sara we’d ease her into it, and I would tell her once she got to know me a little better. It never occurred to me she would figure it out on her own.
“Yes. I am. How did you know?”
“I heard you and Mommy talking the last time you were here. I guess that’s why we have the same eyes. Everyone says they look fake.”
“Tell me about it,” I sighed.
“How come I never met you before?”
I took in a deep breath, trying to word my answer carefully. “I . . . I didn’t know about you. It was lucky I found you in Mr. O’Connor’s office.”
She nodded as her gaze drifted back to the screen. I was grateful to come into her life when she was still young. I hated missing her baby and toddler days, but I managed to get to her before she was old enough to harbor any anger or resentment.
“I like hanging out with you, Josh. You know the names of all the superheroes!”
I looped my arm around her shoulder and squeezed. “I know a ton of other cool things. And I like hanging out with you, too.” I kissed her forehead. “A lot.”
“Did your friend like the bobble head?” Victoria asked as she cuddled into my side.
“I didn’t give it to her yet. She’s been away for work.”
“Oh.” She nodded as she lay her head on my shoulder. “What’s her name?”
“Brianna,” I answered with a smile as I rested my chin on her forehead. “She likes to write, too. I think you guys are going to get along great.”
God, I hoped so.
Josh
MY STOMACH TWISTEDalong with the key I inserted into Brianna’s front door. I had no idea how she would take all of this. It wasn’t only the fact that I had a child with another woman. My one night with Sara fell in line with everything about us that bothered Brianna so much. I was terrified that telling her would dredge up all the hurt and resentment I was hoping we put behind us. Why I stayed away from her for so long was a huge source of contention, and now I’d have to explain why I came back to New York and didn’t try to see her. I stayed away from Brianna for her own good. I stood by that even now. I couldn’t ruin her life any more than I already had. When I came back for her, I’d worked through all my shit and could treat her the way she deserved. But if I knew my girl, she wouldn’t see it that way. She never wanted to leave my side and hated that I kept us apart.
“Finally!” Brianna charged toward me in a short, blue silk robe after I came through her door.
She squealed and leapt into my arms, peppering my entire face with kisses.
I lifted her by the waist as her lips trailed down my neck and to the sensitive spot behind my ear. I let out a moan as I pulled her tighter. She felt so damn good. Her body melted into mine as I buried my face in her neck.
“Welcome home,” I whispered against her lips before I took them in a hungry, desperate kiss. My tongue made long sweeps against hers, thirsting like hell for all of her. I couldn’t stop. I didn’t want to let her go or stop kissing her—or break her heart. In a minute, I’d have to do all three.
My greedy hands slid down her back over the satin edge of her robe, caressing bare skin where her panties were supposed to be.
Breathless and shocked in a great way, I pulled back from the kiss and raised a brow at my girlfriend.
“Are you . . .”
“Naked under here? Yep.” Her lips made a popping sound before coming back to mine. “You’re a FaceTime tease,” she murmured against my mouth. “I wasn’t wasting any time. Strip, Falco.”
What I wouldn’t have given to hold off for just a little while. I could’ve buried myself inside her and showed her all the ways I loved her without saying a word. I could’ve run my hands over every delicious curve and tasted every inch. She was perfection, always. Even though I wanted her more than anything, and my cock was in full agreement, it wasn’t right. Making love to her before telling her would only make it worse.
I caught her hand as she grabbed the hem of my shirt. “Wait, baby.” I set her down, trying not to wince at the hurt drifting across her face. “Can we talk for a minute?”
Her eyes measured me as I took her hand.
