Just One Look

“Nah, and I’ve looked everywhere.” Reno pulls his hat off.

“This is Fawn. She married Ro.” Fawn ducks her head some as pink spreads across her cheeks.

“Well, I’ll be damned.” Reno smiles. “I’m Reno. I run the stables.” He doesn't offer her his hand. Smart man. I knew I liked him for a reason. Man knows when to keep his hands to himself.

“Let’s hurry.” Ace starts to pull her into the barn.

“Nice to meet you,” Fawn throws over her shoulder as she picks up her pace to keep up with the little guy. “How many horses do you have?”

“Three.” Ace holds up three fingers. “Here.” He pushes open the last empty stall. In the corner are two bundles of fur, one white and the other orange. They are a bit bigger than I thought they’d be. I’m guessing they are a month old, maybe two.

“They're adorable,” Fawn whispers, bending down some to get a closer look. My eyes go straight to her ass.

“Can we keep them?” Ace pleads. Even Fawn looks at me with hopeful eyes.

“Fine.” I give. Both of their faces instantly light up with joy, making it worth it.

4

Fawn

I can’t help but smile at Ace. The boy is adorable. He’s also the spitting image of Roman, but he doesn't call him dad. I’m not sure what the story is because, even though I’m married to the man, I know nothing about him. But I won't ask in front of Ace. I’m not sure what the situation is, and it’s best to wait until later when Roman and I are alone.

We’re all sitting in the kitchen at the giant island in the center. This kitchen is a chef's dream. This whole house is pretty spectacular from what I’ve seen so far. Even my bedroom knocked me off my feet. That was until I realized that it wasn’t mine alone but Roman’s room too.

“George should be back in a few.” Roman pockets his phone. I bite into the grilled cheese that I made for all of us. George was preparing some fancy dinner and Roman told him to save it. I felt bad so I volunteered to cook while George ran out for kitten supplies. You can never go wrong with grilled cheese.

“Can they stay in my room?” Ace bounces on his seat, unable to sit still.

“If you want. We can keep them in the closet when you go to bed.”

“The closet?” He scrunches his little nose, letting us know he disapproves of this idea.

“Until they get bigger. We don’t want them getting into things or hurting themselves while you’re asleep.”

“Right.” Ace takes a bite of the grilled cheese. The whole time he eats, he keeps his eyes on the kittens. They’re sitting on the counter drinking milk out of a bowl. Ace fills the silence easily, but I catch Roman stealing looks at me. He’s a different man when Ace is around. Softer. With me he’s a brute. If we have to be married why can’t he be softer to me too?

George comes strolling in a few moments later with what looks like a decent amount of supplies. We all go up to Ace’s room. George actually managed to get a playpen for the kittens. We get everything set up while Ace changes into his pajamas and brushes his teeth.

“If you need anything—” Roman takes one of the walkie talkies that’s on his nightstand.

“Got it. ‘Night, Fawn.”

“See you in the morning.” I follow Roman out of the room into the hallway. My nerves start to bubble up inside me. Now what do I do?

“He was my brother’s son. A brother I didn't even know I had until it was too late.” Roman fills in the blanks for me before I can ask. “He died in an accident, leaving me with full custody of Ace. I’m the only family he has.”

“You didn't know about your brother and you still decided to keep that beautiful little boy?” My heart melts at the thought. I’m starting to think there might be more to Roman than he shows the rest of the world.

“Of course.” He puts his hand on my back, leading me back to our room a few doors down.

“We’re sharing a room?” I tuck a piece of hair behind my ear, trying not to fidget.

“We are married.”

“I was told we didn't have to have sex,” I blurt out.

“When I take you, you’ll be begging me to do so,” he says in that deep voice of his. The softness he had with Ace is long gone. He turns, heading toward the bathroom. He slams the door behind him, making me jump. Well, I guess the honeymoon phase is over.

I let out a breath, my emotions all over the place. You can do this, I tell myself, going to pick up a few of my bags. I push open the closet door and walk in. I drop my bags at the sight before me. One side is clearly all of Roman’s things. The other I have no freaking clue.