Page 22 of Falling for Her
I clear my throat as I stand straight and lock eyes with Damian. He smiles and nods to the chair he’s pulled out. I give him a shy smile and round the table, taking a seat with Aiden to my right while he sits next to Levi before a little cry comes from the baby car seat, and Damian grins, making my stomach flutter.
Damn, that’s a good grin.
He bends down and unclicks the little girl, picking her up as I look over his figure.
I wonder how long his hair is. Yet again it is in a man bun thing but he looks good, really good.
I clear my throat for what feels like the hundredth time as Damian cradles the little girl with his big hands so her head sits safely in his large palms, her body in his arms, and he kisses her nose.
And there go my ovaries….
There’s something about a strong man holding a baby, or well, this strong man anyway. Whenever Cody held Aiden, I never got this feeling.
“Can you hold her for a second while I get her bottle ready?” Damian asks, and I nod without a second thought.
He passes her over the table as she begins to cry, our hands brushing, sending electric shocks through me and I suck in a breath at the feeling.
Damian smiles, and I swallow, trying to dislodge the lump forming while Dad brings a tray over. Trying to ignore everyone around me and the weird feelings that are filling me, I cradle the little girl in my arms and look down at her to see her wet eyes assessing me. I smile as I gently rock her while rubbing my finger carefully along her forehead, something I used to do for Aiden when he was this small. She settles instantly, just watching me.
“You’re like the baby whisperer. Normally, she won’t stop crying unless she has her bottle in her mouth,” Damian says quietly, and I just smile, not taking my eyes off the sweetheart in my arms.
God she is so perfect.
“My daughter has had a lot of practice with Aiden. Night feeds, it was normally her,” my dad admits, and I look at him smiling while he looks at me softly.
Damian clears his throat, and I know he has questions, but he doesn’t ask, knowing we don’t know each other but he does ask, “Do you want to feed her?”
I look his way and nod, and he grins, handing me her bottle. I ask, “Did you check it?” to make sure it’s not too hot, and he chuckles, “Yeah, I did,” and I place it in her mouth. She opens it instantly and begins to suck happily.
“I’ll be behind the counter if you need me, sweetheart,” my dad says as he puts the stuff on the table and I nod, not taking my eyes off the little girl.
“What’s her name?” I ask as Dad leaves, and Damian replies, “Hannah Louise… She has her daddy’s eyes and her mama’s hair and is perfect, though to be honest, her daddy is lucky he still has his balls after she was conceived.”
I look at him wide-eyed, and he grins and admits, “My best friend and his wife met eleven years ago but fell in love three years ago. Scar was adamant about leaving town, her home life wasn’t the best, and well, Ace wouldn’t have that…”
My mouth parts instantly, understanding what he means, and I gasp, “He trapped her?”
He confirms, “Yep, twice.” he nods to Hannah, “He wanted another kid after Levi was born, and instead of speaking to her about it, knowing her schooling had to come first, he changed her birth control pills.”
I wince, “Yeah, I’m surprised he still has them, too, though to be fair, this little one is gorgeous.”
He chuckles but nods as he hands Levi and Aiden a cupcake with orange frosting.
I clear my throat and ask, “So, you are their uncle?”
He hums and admits, “Not by blood, but yeah. I grew up with Ace, and every other weekend, I’ll take Levi for the night or even just the day to give Scar and Ace time to themselves, and now I take Hannah as well.”
I smile, “That’s really sweet.”
“And yet you turned me down for dinner.” He retorts, and I know my cheeks are heating up because the ass smirks.
“Okay, stranger,” I mumble and look down at Hannah as I remove the empty bottle. Without a second thought, I lift her over my shoulder and gently pat her back before looking at Levi and Aiden to see them happily munching away, orange frosting covering their faces.
“Tell me the real reason why you said no,” Damian demands gently, and I look his way.
Hannah lets out a soft burp, but I keep her over my shoulder, rubbing her back and I admit, “You scare me,” and he sits back in shock. I smile gently and explain, “I’ve never felt an instant connection with someone before. Cody was my first boyfriend, and while yes, he’s now my best friend, I never felt what I feel with you for him, and yet you are a complete stranger to me.”
His shoulders sag with relief, and he nods, “I understand. Believe me, I do. I watched Ace fall instantly for Scar and saw how scared they were.” He sits forward, putting his elbows on the table, linking his fingers, “We’re not in high school, we’re not kids, and I wasn’t looking at settling down, but when you know, you know, and all I’m asking is for a chance.”
