Hazel’s black sedan pulls into the parking lot and already my chest warms at the sight of her. She doesn’t see me watching her as she opens the back door to let her nephew out. A loving smile spreads across her face before she laughs at something her nephew says, grabbing his hand and walking through the parking lot.
Hazel’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. Even as she picks hair caught in the corner of her mouth, she’s stunning.
God, I love her.
“Daddy! Mason’s here!” Harrison runs to the middle of the bridge clutching the railing to keep his balance as it wobbles and points to his friend across the park. His dark blonde hair, similar to my own, shines in the mid-morning sun. We picked a Saturday with no soccer games to make the most of our time together and for her and Harrison to get to know each other.
I’ve been looking forward to spending time with the two people I love the most. Daydreams are about to turn into reality and I couldn’t be happier.
“You better get down and go greet him,” I call up to him, loving his excitement. By the time he makes it down, I’m waiting at the gate, one eye on Harrison and the other fixed on Hazel.
The gate opens with a creak as Harrison pushes through it running full force toward them. “Hi, Mason. Want to play?”
Hazel chuckles as her nephew pulls his hand from hers. “Someone’s excited to see you, Mase.”
Someone else is excited to see his aunt.
“Harrison, you remember Hazel, Mason’s aunt?” My son glances up at her with a polite smile and quiet ‘hi’ before both boys run off into the playground. “Well,” I chuckle, “that went well.”
She sighs as I wrap my arm around her shoulder pulling her close. “It’s good like this. We’ve got all day to spend time getting to know each other.”
“I know.” Her hair smells faintly of fruit and coconut as I breathe her in before planting a soft kiss on her head. I want to do more, to hold her tight and press my lips against hers, but I won't. I can't. Not right now anyway.
Later,I promise myself.
“Auntie Haze! Come push me!”
Hazel laughs, patting my chest before stepping out of my embrace. “Alright, Mase. You ready to touch the sky?”
The time we spend at the park is full of fun and laughter, both from the boys and from us. Hazel’s great with the boys, practically glowing as she plays with them. Harrison warms up to her, grabbing her hand as we play hide-and-seek.
Seeing her with my son like this, seeing her around children, has me dreaming of what our future together would be like. Family dinners, Christmas mornings, Hazel glowing as she cradles our growing child in her belly.
I want it all.
With her.
Since becoming a single father on top of trying to start a career, I never let myself imagine sharing a life with someone else. A love life was the last thing on my mind.
Until her.
Watching her now as she makes sure her nephew is buckled in the backseat, I can’t stop the desire for her. My eyes linger on her round ass and I force myself to keep my hands at my side.
The door closes with a muted thud. “We’re all set.” Wind spreads its fingers through her messy curls, drawing it across her face in an unpredictable pattern. “I knew I should’ve worn this up. I never learn.” She opens the front door, smiling as she brushes her hair aside.
I reach across the space between us catching the wayward strands and brushing them away from her face before tucking what I can behind her ears. “I like seeing your hair all wild and crazy. I think it’s sexy.” My wink earns a smile.
“Yeah, well that makes one of us.”
It’s time for her to go but I don’t want her to leave. No amount of time with her is ever enough. “Thank you for today. I’m glad the boys had fun.”
Those brown eyes focus on my face before flicking down to my lips. “I had fun too.”
God, I want to kiss her.
“Come over later.” I make sure to keep my voice low, careful of the listening ears in the backseat. Having her this close all day and not being able to touch her is driving me crazy. After the other night, she knows exactly just how much.
Hazel laughs softly. “You’re not sick of me yet?”
