Page 39 of Taking What Was His

“Also plan on going to the range with me. I’d also like you to think about Jayden taking lessons.”

“He’s only twelve.”

“I know, but at that age, they are extremely curious. If he knows guns, he’s less likely to do something stupid with one.”

“I have all the guns in the safe. He can’t get to them.”

He cupped her cheek. “But do you know for a fact every house he goes to if they are as vigilant as you are?”

She paled. “Oh, God. I should have. But, no, I have no idea.”

“I just remember being a boy at that age. I did a lot of stupid stuff.”

“Your poor parents.”

“Yeah. They went through hell with five kids.”

“Oh, wow.” Her eyes widened. “Are your parents still alive?”

“Yes. You and Jayden will meet them soon. Everyone lives around here. I know my grandmother’s ninetieth birthday is coming up in a week, so there will definitely be a party. You and Jayden have to go with me.”

She grinned. “I always wanted a big family.”

He tipped her head up. “Now, you’ve got one.” He kissed her gently. “I gotta go. I’ll see you tomorrow. Call me if you need me. I left my card on the counter with my personal number on the back. You already have my work number.”

“Thank you.”

He walked away from the house, and every step he took made him ache for her. He didn’t know how long he’d last until he’d talk about living together. Maybe it was something she wouldn’t do because of Jayden.

All he knew was he wanted her in his bed every night and to know he’d see her every day. If they had to get married to do that, he’d try to make it happen.

Chapter Thirteen

Beth’s eyes opened slowly on Sunday morning. She rolled over and hugged one of her pillows, wishing it was a certain large man who had taken her life by storm.

After he’d left the night before, she’d watched him drive away, and a feeling very close to despair took her by surprise. How could she feel this strongly for a man she’d known for a few weeks and had been on two dates with? She smiled. She could count all of the day before as three dates because they’d been together since the morning.

She sighed. She didn’t know what to do and really had no one to talk to. She could speak to Sandra, but their views on life weren’t the same. Sandra would tell her to jump on the man and enjoy him for as long as it lasted, while Beth tended to be cautious and not take chances with her heart. She thought about Marla but didn’t want to bother her. She’d been having a rough time since her husband died a few months before.

Beth knew she’d always been a sensitive, emotional woman and wouldn’t change it if she could. She wasn’t one to take chances and liked to follow the rules. It used to drive Rick, her late husband, nuts.

With her son, she’d been even more careful because she didn’t want anything to harm the most important person in her life. Her reason for living for so long.

This was all until Roman came into her life. One look at him had thrown her. The instant chemistry and attraction were something she’d never dealt with before.

She had loved her husband desperately, but he’d never made her feel the way Roman did.

She was having doubts about letting him into their lives. What if Jayden got attached to him and he left? If something she’d done hurt her child, she’d never forgive herself.

She flipped to her back and sighed. Roman was supposed to come over later, but she wondered if she shouldn’t break it off.

She’d always thought she wouldn’t date until Jayden went to college. Until Roman.

She had his number, but every time she thought about not seeing him again, the pain that ripped through her confused her and terrified her.

Beth pushed herself from her bed and quickly made it before getting dressed for the day. She had cleaning to do, and she needed to make sure Jayden was ready for school the next day.

The coffee maker had finished, and she’d drunk her first cup by the time her son came down.