I knew what I was seeing when he looked down at Emmie. I was being given the most beautiful gift—a front-row seat to watch the moment my man fell in love.
Chapter 24
We tucked an exhausted Emmie next to her sleeping brother. She’d eaten a little—enough to satisfy me for the moment.
“They’re wrung out,” Cal murmured, his hand on my shoulder as we watched both kids sleep peacefully.
“Hopefully, they’ll be okay in here.” I fretted, looking around the guest room that would feel unfamiliar to them in the morning. “Maybe I should sleep in here just so when they wake up, they know they’re safe,” I added.
He gave my shoulder a gentle squeeze. “You need sleep too, baby. Come to bed. We’re only a room away. They’ll be fine.”
I nodded reluctantly and followed him to our room.
He pulled me close when we climbed into bed. Despite the late hour, I had too much on my mind to sleep. I suspected he felt the same way.
His lips met the shell of my ear as he held my back to his front, spooning me. “You’re not getting out of talking about that stunt you pulled. I already told you, I understand why you did it. But don’t pull that shit again. I couldn’t get to you easily, couldn’t keep you safe. Anything like this happens again—you wait.”
“I’m sorry you were worried,” I replied. “And you did keep me safe,” I reminded him.
His hand gripped my hip. “Out the window, seriously, babe? Mack was losing his shit.”
I shrugged. “I figured making a run for it out the front door wouldn’t get me very far.”
He nipped my ear with his teeth. “Little troublemaker on my hands. Seriously, Jill. Not again,” he growled.
“Okay,” I agreed. “Unless it’s the exact same circumstance, in which case, no promises.”
“At least you’re honest,” he grumbled.
I turned in his arms, needing his eyes as I shared the worry that had been nagging at me. “You’re seriously okay with having three kids take over your house?”
His expression lightened. “What do we have all the space for if we can’t fill it? Always wondered why I bought such a big-ass house.” He placed his callused hand on my thigh, squeezing gently. “Plus, how could I say no to my woman wanting to do right by two innocent kids who’ve had it rough?”
“Most men would. Say no, I mean.”
He stared intently back at me before answering, “Good thing I’m not most men.”
I couldn’t have agreed more.
“You said what dowehave all this space for,” I murmured.
He chuckled, shaking his head at me. “What do you think is happening here, Jill? The minute you stepped foot through my doorway, my home became ours. Not because I planned it that way. Not because I wanted it—even though I did. It just… is.” He shrugged. “Feels as natural as breathing to me.”
I felt that way too.
I bit my lip. “How are we going to do this?” I fretted. “Do we call the police? Child services? Are we going to try to get custody of them? I’m not even divorced yet. Max should be in school….”
He surprised me by smiling. “Baby, do you even hear yourself? You saidwe. One minute you’re wondering if this is your house, but the next you’re asking what ‘we’ should do about Emmie and Max.”
My eyes widened in shock. He was right.
He pulled me closer. “You already know what’s happening, baby. Your heart just has to catch up to your head.”
I looked up him. “I think it already did,” I admitted with a small smile. “I realized something earlier.”
My palms grew clammy as the words moved to the tip of my tongue.
He raised a curious brow. “Oh yeah? What’s that?”
