Page 46 of Take My Kiss
“It’s gettin’ late,” Amelia tells her. “And Colton has to work tomorrow.”
“You gotta read us one, Mommy.”
“I will, but only one.”
“Four!” Lily squeals.
“Two,” Amelia counters.
“Three?”
Amelia sighs. “Fine, and then it’s bedtime.”
I chuckle, then get to my feet. Holding out my fist, I wait for Sam to hit it as he does every night before bed.
“Night, sweetheart. Thanks for playin’ dolls with me.” I wink. “Again tomorrow?”
She holds her little blanket close to her face. “Are you my daddy?”
The abrupt question throws me so off guard that I nearly swallow my tongue when I attempt to speak. Amelia’s frozen next to me, equally as shocked. I can’t help wondering how much she’s talked about Lily’s biological father or if being here is confusing her too much.
“No, I’m not, sweetie. But I’d be the luckiest person in the world if I were.” I beam with pride, hoping it settles her curiosity for now.
“Oh.” She frowns, lowering her gaze.
A stake to the heart would hurt less than seeing Lily sad and disappointed.
“I’ll see y’all at breakfast.” I squeeze her little hand before walking out.
Amelia follows me into the hallway, her eyes heavy with exhaustion.
“I’m so sorry,” she murmurs. “We’ve talked ’bout her dad, but I think she’s confused since she’s never had a man live in the same house as her.”
“Don’t apologize.”
“You’re really good with ’em.” She rocks back and forth on her feet.
“Why do you seem surprised?”
“In my experience, people without kids don’t usually know how to be a parental figure to other people’s kids—especially only after a week. You got a few hours’ notice before we took over your house and basically stepped up without hesitation. It’s not somethin’ I’m used to or expected from you.”
“Perhaps you shouldn’t underestimate someone you don’t know that well.” I raise a brow when her cheeks heat. “Or are you still pretendin’ we don’t have history?”
“Colt, I?—”
“Mommy?” Lily calls out.
She sighs, but it’s not the right time for this conversation, although it’s long overdue.
“Go ahead. I’m gonna unload the dishwasher.” My arm brushes hers when I walk toward the kitchen.
More memories of our night together flood my mind along with a dozen questions. Who’s after them and why? How am I going to go back to my ordinary and sometimes dull life once they leave?
I love waking up and cooking for everyone. Making food for one and sitting alone on my couch or breakfast bar is lonely as fuck. Although Amelia and I haven’t spent much time together, I’ve gotten to know her kids over the past week and adore them. I want this asshole stalker caught just as much as she does, but I’ll be sad to see them go.
After dropping the bombshell about getting kicked out at twenty, I’m eager to learn more about her past. Not only because I’m interested in her, but I’m also impressed by her resilience and what she’s gone through. I want to know anything and everything about her. How did she survive on her own while being pregnant so young? Where did she go? Did anyone take care of her emotional needs? Is this why she’s always in fight or flight mode and refuses to let anyone in because she fears she’ll get abandoned again?
Once the dishes are put away, I fill the kettle with water and turn it on. Amelia loves to drink tea before bed, and I realized she’d been heating the water in the microwave, so I ordered one to make it easier and hopefully taste better.
