“This feels more like Caleb,” she tells me.
“It does.”
He doesn’t care, but I do. His room before felt like a quick fix to get it ready for him. Now that his personality is shining through, I wanted a place that was more his.
The late-afternoon sun streams into the room, reflecting off the blue walls. Watercolor pictures of animals playing hockey hang above his crib. The oversized chair was replaced with a rocking chair that has a soft baby blanket thrown across it along with Caleb’s favorite stuffie.
A new stack of books sits on his dresser, my favorite being theABCs of Hockey.
Stevie is bouncing Caleb on her lap, and emotions bubble up inside me. Seeing her with my son brings up emotions I never thought I would experience. I was fine being a lone wolf, doing life on my own. I didn’t want to rely on anyone.
Maybe it was because I never met anyone like Stevie.
I don’t have to be anyone but myself when I’m with her. She doesn’t care that I’m a hockey player or about my past. I’m not putting on a front. I never thought I’d be the kind to stay in every night, but I want to. I’d rather spend all my time playing board games with Stevie and Caleb than go out to bars. Being with Stevie makes me feel more whole than I’ve ever been in my life.
How can one person heal all my broken parts?
How can I say those three little words to her when I’ve never said them before? It feels too heavy. Like if I say them, I’ll mess up everything we have together.
“Hey.” I rub a hand down Stevie’s back. She turns to me, a happy smile on her face. “I’m glad you’re here.”
“I am too.”
Maybe that’s all I need to say for now. Until I figure out how exactly to confess my feelings to her.
ChapterTwenty-Four
BODE
“Do we have enough time?”
Gran and Deb came home shortly after we finished his room, and they offered to take Caleb for a walk. There was no way I was going to refuse that offer, and now I want to make every use of this short window the two of us have together.
“Stevie, there will never be enough time in the world to be with you.” This woman only walked into my life a few short months ago, but I’m not sure any amount of time with her will be enough. I want every second with Stevie that I can get.
Pressing kisses to her neck, I steer her into my room and kick the door shut. My hands are groping for purchase as I pull her in closer.
I thrust my hips forward, letting her feel exactly what she does to me.
“You drive me wild, Stevie. I’ve never felt like this before.” It’s as close to an admission of what I feel for her as I’ll get right now.
“Bode,” Stevie purrs.
“What do you want?”
“You.”
Spinning her in my arms, I push her onto the bed and stare down at her. Her pupils are wide with lust. Desire.
Capturing her mouth with mine, I claim her lips with the kiss to end all kisses. Each moan and whimper from her I lap up. It drives me forward, leaning over her and resting her on the bed.
I change my pace, slowing my tongue as I relish her taste. Stevie gives over complete control to me. Her nails dig into my neck, urging me on. Every stroke of her tongue against mine has me rolling my hips into her.
Rocking back onto my heels, I slowly peel Stevie’s shirt up and over her head. Her breasts are heaving. I lick my way along the supple skin, loving how she’s a writhing mess beneath me.
I bite her nipple, visible through the satin material of her bra.
“Do that again,” she moans.
