Then Jules’s just as soft response. “I love you, too.”
My limbs feel like there’s ten-ton weights hanging from them and my head is pounding as if a set of drums has taken residence inside my skull. I push the uncomfortable feeling away and run Aria’s bath, adding a shit ton of bubbles, hoping it’ll lighten her spirits.
By the time I make it back to her room, both woman and child are asleep.
I SIT MY WEARY ASS down on the couch and stare down at my phone. My jaw aches from clenching my teeth so hard. I fucking hate what I’m getting ready to do, but know it needs to be done. I’m only doing this for Aria because it’s what she deserves.
I bring my phone to life and pull up Theo’s name. I don’t trust myself to talk to him, so it’s our text thread that appears on my screen.
Me: Your daughter misses you. Stop being an asshole and call her.
That’s it. That’s all I can manage. So many more things run through my head that I want to spew at him, but I don’t. Aria doesn’t need to be punished any more than she has been by Theo’s disappearance, and I worry if I say what I really want to say to him, it’ll keep him away from her.
I grab my beer from the end table and take a long pull, then rest it on my knee. If it were up to me, Theo would never see Aria again. He’s been a shit dad, and after what he pulled the other day, it just solidifies my belief that he doesn’t deserve her. I’ll fight tooth and nail to take custody from him, and I know my parents will as well. I’ve already been in contact with a lawyer and have an appointment set up for next week. For Aria’s sake, I wouldn’t push him completely out of her life though. She loves her dad, and I would never take that away from her, no matter how much I want to.
I look up when I spot Jules out the corner of my eye. I smile when I see her sleepy expression. I left her in Aria’s room an hour ago, not wanting to disturb her when she looked so peaceful.
“Hey,” she says with a yawn.
I pat my lap and she walks over. Once she’s close enough, I pull her down so her back is against the arm of the couch and rest my hand on her thigh.
“She still sleeping?” I ask.
“Yeah.”
“How are you doing?”
She thinks for a moment, her lips pursing together. “I want to maim Theo for what he’s putting Aria through, but other than that, I’m okay.”
“I sent him a message,” I tell her quietly, and watch her expression. Her eyes move to mine, but she doesn’t give anything away on how she’s feeling. “As much as I hate the bastard, Aria needs him.”
She smiles bitterly. “I know.”
“I’ll never let him near you again though. I don’t even want his eyes on you.” I need her to know that just because Theo will be in Aria’s life, and more than likely mine, he won’t be in hers.
Her smile softens, and she relaxes deeper against me. “I know that, too.”
I grab her hair and pull it over her shoulder and up to my face. I breathe in deep.
A smirk curves her lips when I pull the hair away.
“Did you just sniff my hair?” she asks playfully.
I chuckle. “I love the smell of your hair. I love the smell of you.”
She’s so fucking adorable when she wrinkles her nose. “What do I smell like?”
“A field of wildflowers and sunshine.”
Her mouth opens on a rushed inhale of air. The smile she gives me is breathtaking. She’s entirely way too beautiful to resist, so I lean forward and settle my lips against hers. Her mouth is just as sweet as the rest of her.
She wiggles on my lap and one of her hands clutches my shirt, as if she’s trying to bring us closer. My cock stiffens in my jeans, and I have no doubt she can feel it. My hand travels under her shirt until I reach her silk-covered breast. I tweak her nipple through the soft fabric and swallow her moans.
We make out for a while before I rip my mouth from hers. I want to devour her whole, but know it’s not in the cards tonight. I won’t take the chance of Aria waking up and finding us in a situation she shouldn’t.
I rest my forehead in the crook of her neck, trying my best to calm the raging need in my body. From the rapid beat of the pulse in her neck, I know Jules is fighting the same need. I smile, pleased as fucking punch that she wants me just as strongly.
After several moments, both of our breathing is back to normal. My cock is still a steel pole in my jeans, and I know I’ll be jacking off in the shower later, but my hormones are now in check.