Page 21 of Surprise Mother Pucker
I’m going to miss my favorite niece when I go away soon. I hate visiting my family. I would much rather stay here.
If I stayed, I could babysit more while you went on dates with the hot alpha…
It's a good thing I have your location, otherwise your lack of communication would be concerning.
Also, a gaming café? That's cute.
She’d followed her message with a photo of Charlotte asleep on her chest.
Vanilla and smoke assaulted my senses as Eli returned. “Is everything okay at home?”
I nodded. “Char is dead asleep. She's a really deep sleeper. I was quite lucky over those first few months. She's actually slept through an earthquake before.”
Eli laughed. “Did she get that from you?”
I cocked my head to the side as I gathered my purse. “I think so. Before I gave birth, I would sleep just like that. Nothing could wake me. The building could be falling down around me, and I would still sleep soundly.”
“Did giving birth change that?”
“Oh, totally. Since it’s only the two of us, I had to wake up every time during the night for her, and it's like my body changed so I would easily wake up for her.”
With my purse in hand, I stood up, and Eli held out my coat to put it back on. Even though his hands weren't technically on me, I relished in the near touch.
It had been so long since I'd been touched by an alpha, and I was craving it badly. I wasn't just craving any alpha’s touch, though; it was specifically Eli’s. His every movement was so controlled and measured, he seemed to be the master of his own little world, and I wanted to know more.
He placed his hand on my lower back as he guided me out of the café. We had parked on the street just outside, so the walk wasn’t far.
“Would it be bad if I admitted I don’t want this to end yet?” Eli asked as we reached his car.
I bit my lip. “I don't really want it to end, either,” I admitted. “Unfortunately, I've got a little lady waiting for me at home, and her sitter has class in the morning.”
Eli nodded and leaned down toward me, pulling me close and wrapping his arms around me. “Well, there goes my plan to try and convince you to stay out later.”
“I’m sorry.” I winced. He actually wanted to spend more time with me, and I had to rush home. That was the downside of dating a single mother. My time wasn't my own.
Eli leaned back to look me in the eye, his brow furrowed. “Why on earth are you apologizing?”
“Well, it's my fault we can't continue this date right now,” I said, chewing on my lip.
When a soft chuckle escaped Eli's chest, my face heated. “That isn't something you should apologize for. You are a mother, that's just part of who you are.”
I tried to reply, but the words got stuck in my throat. So many people saw my status as a single mother as a disgraceful thing, a problematic thing, something I should be apologizing for. It was oddly refreshing and terrifying to hear an alpha talk about it so casually and positively.
I sighed. “You’re trouble, you know that?”
“I’m a straight-A math nerd… How am I trouble? I fully accept the title, but I'm just confused how I've gained it.”
“Because you're so damn nice, I may just get attached.”
“Well, that's only fair, because I'm already attached.” He shrugged, a smirk plastered across his face.
My core clenched at his words. I wanted to grab him and pull him close. Bury my face in his neck and never let go.
“Don't go looking at me like that,” he said in a playfully disapproving tone.
“Just how am I looking at you?” I asked in an innocent voice.
Eli chuckled, leaning down to kiss the top of my head. “You're looking far too tempting, and I can't do half the things I want to do with you tonight, because we have to get you back to your Little Miss.”
