Accepting my fate for the evening, I headed back to the bathroom to finish my nighttime routine, feeling like my life had tipped on its axis in a matter of minutes. I regarded myself in the mirror as I brushed my teeth. I was still the same person and yet I had a feeling everything had just completely changed.
When I came back into the room all the lights had been turned off and Cal was sprawled out on the couch, his large frame nearly swallowing the furniture.
I found him a blanket, handing it over without comment.
“Night, baby,” his deep voice rasped.
“Uh, night,” I replied, feeling awkward and out of my depth as I crawled under the covers.
I lay on my back, unsure if I could sleep despite my exhaustion. Having Cal Jackson sleeping on my sofa was surreal at best. “This is bizarre,” I murmured.
“It’s not bizarre, babe, you just haven’t been paying attention.”
Maybe he was right. Hell, everyone else certainly seemed to think we were inevitable.
I stared up at the ceiling, listening to the sound of his subtle shifting on the couch, to his hands raking over the whiskers on his chin. His presence calmed me. He made me feel safe. It was with that thought—so polar opposite to how I’d spent the past five years—that I finally drifted off to sleep.
Chapter 7
Iwoke up to the sound of my son’s sweet giggle and Cal’s deep rumble as he spoke in hushed tones to Mason.
I sat up in bed, finding the two of them eating a quiet breakfast. Cal had Mason in the high chair as he sat on the barstool handing him pieces of banana.
How the hell had I slept through him getting Mason out of the crib?
“There’s your mama.” Cal spoke to Mason though his eyes were on mine, his expression warm as he took in my rumpled appearance.
“I can’t believe I slept through you getting him up. I’m sorry—how long has he been up?” I asked, swinging my legs over the edge of the bed.
“Not long, and it’s no problem. Bubs and I had some catching up to do and you needed to sleep,” he replied, moving toward the kitchen to grab me a mug. “Coffee?”
I dropped a kiss on Mason’s head. “Please.” I nodded gratefully as I tried to comprehend the scene in front of me. It was so… domestic, and unlike anything I’d ever pictured when it came to Cal.
“What’s that look?” he asked as he handed me my coffee. Dressed in his jeans and white t-shirt from last night, his hair mussed from sleep, he looked delicious.
There weren’t enough words to explain everything going on in my head. Instead, I busied myself by taking a sip of my coffee in lieu of a response.
He stepped into my space, towering over me as his hand ran over my head, his fingers tangling in my hair. “Ah, babe, you’re the most delicious puzzle. I can’t wait to piece you together.” His slow grin had my knees shaking.
“I’ll get you something to eat,” I murmured, stepping past him toward the refrigerator. “I’ll make it quick. I’m sure you’ve got plans,” I added hastily.
He sat at the bar watching me as I busied myself at the stove. I still had some leftover muffins from the day before and heated them up as I whipped up some eggs. “I do have plans. With you and Bubs.”
His answer had me whirling to face him. “W-what?”
He chuckled, shaking his head at me. “I want to spend the day with you. After that I’m hoping you’ll agree to stay with me. I’ll sleep another night on that couch, but babe, tellin’ you right now I’d really rather not.”
“You really think I’m in that much danger?” I asked.
He shook his head. “Not sure. If I was, I wouldn’t be askin’. I just want to spend time with you.”
I looked at him then, and his beautiful blue eyes regarded me from across the bar. He took my breath away, always had. My conversation with Sophie came back to me. Was I really going to continue to push him away when I wanted him so goddamned much?
After a moment more of hesitation I nodded. “Okay,” I agreed. “We’d like that.”
He grinned. “Good.”
As if on cue, Mason squealed. Cal chuckled, handing him another piece of banana.
