Shoving the key into the lock, I open the car door and plop down into the seat. My entire body heaves a sigh of relief to be done with work. I love what I do, but some days are harder than others.
Today was one of those days.
Ornery clients. Some wanting upgraded services without paying. Others didn’t leave tips.
Rolling down my windows, I blast a new tune from the singer Genevieve and point my car toward the suburbs. At least I don’t have to fight mad drivers as I leave the city behind me.
I sing along to the catchy tune as I get closer and closer to Bode’s place. Genevieve exploded onto the scene, and I’m addicted to her music. I can’t carry a tune to save my life, but I sing at the top of my lungs anyway.
I turn the volume down as I punch the code into the gate in Bode’s neighborhood and wait for the heavy iron gates to open.
Parking in my spot, I grab my purse and head inside. The outside lights glimmer as a few lamps are still lit inside. Knowing what time it is, I’m guessing Caleb is already asleep.
The sight that greets me as I walk inside is too much. Bode is stretched out on the couch—shirtless—with a sleeping baby on his chest and wearing a pair of gray sweats.
This. This is the reason why I didn’t want to come home. Heat is simmering in my veins at the sexy man in front of me. I was hoping one drink at a bar might have meant that Bode would be asleep when I got back, because I know that the minute Caleb falls asleep, Bode isn’t far behind.
“Hey,” I whisper.
Bode looks back over the couch at me and holds a single finger over his mouth.
“Hi,” he mouths. Standing, Bode waves at me to sit on the couch. “Give me a minute.”
I nod and watch as he goes upstairs. I try to keep my eyes on his back, but that’s hard when his ass looks incredible in those sweats.
Bode Adams is the most perfect specimen of man I’ve ever seen. But I live with him and I absolutely don’t want to act on that.
Maybe if I keep telling myself that, I’ll eventually believe it.
“Sorry.” Bode jogs down the stairs and collapses on the couch next to me. “He’s starting to cut more teeth and is miserable.”
“Poor thing. Are you doing okay?”
“I leave in two days for my first road trip, and the thought of leaving him guts me.”
“He’ll be in good hands. I know all three of us are going to be here.”
“I wish I didn’t have to leave him,” Bode confesses. “It makes me feel like a terrible father. Like I’m letting him down in some way.”
“I’ve been around you long enough to know you aren’t letting him down at all. Caleb loves you.”
“Can I tell you something?” Bode whispers.
His bare feet are stretched out on the coffee table, hands clasped over his bare stomach and the slab of muscles there.
“Sure.” I nod.
“I never had a mom growing up. At least, not that I can remember. Gran was the only role model I have.”
“Really?”
Bode nods, turning his head to look at me. His brown eyes are heavy as his head rests along the back of the couch.
“My mom left when I was a baby and my dad when I was ten.”
“Wow.”
“The two of them leaving made me the man I am today. I never heard I love you from my dad. Haven’t seen him since he dropped me off with my gran one day and never came home.”
