Home to You

“Miss Haven!” Chloe calls out. “Watch me.”

“I’m watching!” I call back as she climbs the ladder for the slide. She sits at the top, pushes herself, and throws her hands up in the air, laughing all the way down. “Great job.” I clap for her, and her smile is huge as she races to the steps to repeat the process.

“She adores you.”

“Just her?” I ask before I can stop the words from leaving my lips.

“No. Not just her. Her daddy adores you too.” He reaches over and entwines his fingers with mine. “He always has.” His lips find their way to my temple.

For the life of me, I don’t know how I was able to walk away from him all those years ago. I’m struggling to leave this park. I want to be where he is. “You’re not so bad,” I say, trying to lighten the mood.

“Hey, Chloe, it’s time to go,” he calls out. His voice lowers just for me. “I’ll show you not bad. Come back to my place.”

“Okay.” I don’t bother to play hard to get. He’s caught me. Hook, line, and sinker. I’d follow him anywhere.

“Here.” Reaching into his pocket, he retrieves his keys. “Go ahead and head to my place. I’ll drop Chloe off and meet you there.”

“Does she need anything from your place?”

“Nah, I just picked her up tonight, so everything that she has to have is already in my truck. Make yourself at home. I’ll be there soon.”

“Do we hafta go, Daddy?” Chloe asks.

“We do. Mommy called, and she and Aunt Tracy are going to take you and your cousins to the zoo tomorrow, so I’m taking you back to Mommy’s house.”

“The zoo! Come on, Daddy, we gots to go.” She grabs his hand, causing us both to throw our heads back in laughter.

“Give Haven a hug,” he tells her.

“Bye, Miss Haven.” Her arms wrap around me, and I hug her back.

“Have fun tomorrow. I can’t wait to hear all about it.” I’m not just saying the words. I really can’t wait to hear about her day at the zoo—living it through her excited eyes.

“Come on, Daddy.” She tugs at Sebastian’s hand.

“I’ll be home soon, baby. Drive safe,” he says, allowing Chloe to pull him to his truck.

I sit here on the picnic table and watch them drive away. All I can think about is the sound of him saying he’s coming home to me. I want that. I want him. I want Chloe and all of her infectious energy. I want every facet of my life wrapped up in theirs.

His house is quiet, too quiet without Chloe’s chatter. That little girl has quickly found her way into my heart. “Just like her daddy,” I murmur. After setting my keys on the table next to the front door, I make my way into the kitchen. There are a few dishes in the sink, so I decide to wash them. Sebastian is a single father. Sure, he and Trina co-parent, but when he has Chloe, it’s just him. I like to think even something as small as cleaning up his kitchen will save him some time and give him more time with his daughter. Tonight, it gives me his time, and there is nothing I want more.

After wrapping up the dishes, I pick up the living room, and I’m ready to go on the hunt for the sweeper when he walks in the door. I watch as he makes it a point to turn the lock before walking my way. “You picked up. You didn’t have to do that.”

“I was here and had some time on my hands.”

“Thank you.” He leans down and kisses me, soft and slow. “Come with me.” With my hand in his, he leads me to the kitchen, where he sees that I cleaned that too. “You didn’t have to do all this,” he says, gesturing with his free hand to the now clean kitchen.

“I know, but I plan on taking up all of your spare time tonight, so in my eyes, it’s an even trade.”

“You want my time, huh?” he asks, his eyes light.

“I want you.”

A low growl from deep in his throat passes his lips. He hits the light switch, bathing us in darkness. With his hand clasped tightly around mine, I follow him as he turns off the rest of the lights and leads me down the hall to his room.

As soon as we enter his room, his hands are gripping my ass and lifting me. Instinctively, I wrap my legs around his waist, fusing my lips to his. He turns, pressing my back against the door. His lips, hot and wet, devour mine. I bury my hands in his hair and take every swipe of his tongue that he’s willing to give me.

“Bash” I moan when his lips trail down my neck.