Sweet Satisfaction

I felt his gaze before I saw him. Cole was standing on the bottom step .

“Daddy!” Grayson ran .

“Hey, I didn’t know you were there.” I blushed .

“What was that you were doing?” He tilted his head to the side and smiled, sending a jolt of electricity through my body. He pulled Grayson into his arms .

I brushed the sand from my feet and wiggled my toes into the socks. “A little warrior pose, a little tree pose. Grayson can do yoga too.” I smiled .

“You looked beautiful.” He walked up the five steps to meet me .

I bit my lip. It seemed like something serious to say in front of his son .

“But, seriously, you looked incredible up here. Did you go for a run too?” He stepped closer .

Grayson answered, “Birds on beach. Go run, Daddy .”

He laughed. “Sounds like you did .”

I looked down a

t my tank top. It was stuck to me from perspiration. I was a beachy, sweaty mess. “We had fun. He does run fast .”

“I warned you,” Cole teased .

He leaned down and kissed me on the neck before helping me into a standing position with his free hand .

“Sorry I missed it. I would have liked to have gone with you two .”

“How about tomorrow morning we go for a run together?” I wanted to see him in action .

“You’re on. But that means you’re going to have to actually wake up and get out of bed—early .”

I shoved him lightly. “Hey, I don’t stay in bed all day .”

His eyes instantly flared. “What about all night?” I knew that look .

I stared at Grayson. “Cole,” I whispered .

He laughed. “I think it’s cute you can be so shy. It reminds me of the Kaitlyn I used to know .”

I didn’t know if I liked that. That Kaitlyn had crushed on Cole from the corner. She had written about him in journals. She was the kid sister. For a moment, I wondered if I’d ever escape her shadow .

Twenty-Five

Cole

I knew I was depending on Kaitlyn to help with Grayson more than I should, but I wanted to walk through the house next door and inspect it on my own .

I didn’t want Grayson to see it and think we were moving. What if half the appliances didn’t work? What if there was damage ?

I needed to do a walk-through before I signed a lease. He had enough instability. Amber was like a damn gypsy .

I turned on the faucet in the kitchen. I opened the cabinets and looked under the sink for leaks. I had new skills that were useful .

It wasn’t big or extravagant. It wasn’t like other beach houses on the strip. This one was simple, and it was enough .

This was possible because of Kaitlyn. She had found the house for me .