“Alright . . . putting a pin in that for now. Got it. But, we do need to choose a name for our first baby, and I’m already feeling the pressure. It’s got to have a name that I can make nicknames out of that he’ll understand. Youknowthat’s my love language. And this little guy needs all the love he can get. Can you believe someone left him in a dumpster?”
As if she is only now realizing I have a cat clinging to my chest, she approaches me and gives the big guy a kiss on his head.
“Hi there, handsome. Welcome home,” she coos.
Fucking hell. Watching her take a liking to a pet should not be a turn on or something to get jealous over, but I find myself feeling both of those things at the moment.
“What about Sirius? I know you loveHarry Potterso much,” she suggests.
“Nah, Sirius was a black dog. What about Shadow?” I ask.
“That could work, but then what would his nickname be?”
“Good point. Hmm . . . what about Midnight and we can nickname him Night.”
“Is this an homage to Taylor Swift or because he’s a black cat?” she questions.
“Can’t it be both? I’m still not over that ‘Lavender Haze’ you put me under in Italy.”
“Midnightsis a great album. What do you think, buddy?” she asks the cat and looks at him as if he can understand her question. When he purrs at her, she takes that as his approval. “Midnight it is!” she exclaims, and when she does, her Texas drawl comes out just a bit more than usual.
“I love when I get to hear that Southern twang make an appearance. Now that we’re official, when are you going to take me home? I’ve got a bit of a break around Thanksgiving if you want to go back together.”
Dakota’s cheeks burn an adorable shade of pink at my suggestion. “I’d love that, Golden Boy,” she says as she grabs Midnight out of my arms. “Do you want the grand tour of your new home, Midnight?” She takes off around the house, showing our little guy his new home.
When we get to our bedroom, I cut her off. “This room is off-limits to you, Midnight. Daddy gets Mama all to himself when we’re in here.”
My remark makes Dakota start laughing so hard she snorts. “Oh my goodness, I didn’t realize I was living with someone so delusional.”
“If by delusional you meant deliriously in love with you, then yeah,” I say as I pull her in for a kiss on her forehead, which earns me ameowfrom Midnight.
“Carson, you can’t expect him to sleep all on his lonesome. Besides, he’s got to be my snuggle bud while hisdaddyis on the road,” she points out while he nuzzles into the crook of her neck. My cock springs to attention hearing her call me that.
“I’m not so sure I like how much he’s taken a liking to you already,” I point out. Looking down at Midnight I say, “We talked about this on the way home. We’ve got rules. Number one, I’m your favorite. Number two, no cock blocking, which means no sleeping in the same room while Daddy is home.” I waggle my brows at Dakota, giving her a wink when I catch her biting down on her bottom lip.
“You didn’t stand a chance being his favorite and you knew it, so I suppose your rules were just for fun.”
“If you want him to sleep in here, fine. I can never say no to you, Dream Girl.”
A blinding smile takes over her face as she kisses Midnight’s head before setting him down. She links her arms around my neck and I lift her up, wrapping her legs around my waist and kissing her deeply.
When she breaks the kiss, she says, “Thank you for the best birthday surprise. I love him already.”
“Well I’m glad you loved your first birthday surprise, because I’m a bit nervous about the second one,” I admit.
“Carson, our little guy is more than enough.”
I scoff at that. “Getting him was as much of a present for me as it was for you. Now that I think about it, the second one is sort of a gift for me too,” I tell her. And it totally is. She might kill me for it, but I wanted peace of mind that when I’m on the road, she’s not only safe in our home, but safe on the road too.
So when I guide her out the front door into the driveway, I’m not surprised to find her speechless as she stares at the white SUV with black rims that matches my truck.
“Surprise,” I singsong as I do jazz hands like an idiot. To add to my pathetic attempt to use humor to mask her fury, I continue in a Bob Barker voice. “For your twenty-ninth birthday, you get a brand new carrrr! This Acura MDX received the highest safety ranking two years in a row. While you’re driving this vehicle, you won’t find yourself spinning out on slick roads or getting stuck in a ditch in the dead of winter while your boyfriend is on the road.”
“Carson, I love how caring and thoughtful you are, but I can’t accept this gift,” Dakota says exasperatedly.
“Well, it’s a no-backsies gift from your brother and I. We both decided we’ll play better while I’m on the road knowing you’re driving a safe and reliable vehicle.”
“How dare you say Carol isn’t reliable. She’s been with me for over a decade—if that isn’t commitment, I don’t know what is.”
