CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Ingram
Waking up to Mouse was… I didn’t have the words for how wonderful and amazing it was. The smile on my face was permanent.
Sparrow only woke once after we’d gone to bed.
I fed her and changed her and then she was out like a light again.
Poor Mouse must have been so tired because he barely stirred.
I knew all too well what it was like to do it alone so I understood how he must have been feeling. But then again, both of us did have a huge extended family that would gladly step in and help out. I imagined they were the reason for all of the baby items in the room.
“Good morning,” he said once his eyes opened and looked into mine.
“Good morning,” I parroted with the smile still on my face.
His arms went out in different directions and he grunted as he stretched. It was sexy. I never imagined that I would think someone stretching was sexy. I must have been out of my mind.
His head turned to look over at Sparrow. She was still out and I wondered how much longer that would last.
Then he took me by surprise as he rolled over and settled in between my legs, pulling the blanket up over us as he moved. I tried my hardest to swallow down a squeal at the unexpected move.
Without a word, he kissed me long and sweetly. Now, this was the kind of wake up greeting a girl could get used to.
“Fuck,” he blew out once he pulled away and buried his face in the crook of my neck.
His nose lightly brushed along my skin as he inhaled my scent causing goosebumps to prickle my skin all over. A giggle worked up my throat because it tickled but I kept my mouth clamped shut so it wouldn’t be so loud.
“I need this in my life every day, Ingram.” He pulled back to look at me. I was glad the sheet wasn’t dark and the light of the day filtered through a little. The look on his face made my insides quiver with happiness. “I know this is crazy and I really am trying to go slow here with you, but I feel complete when you’re near me. Now that I know what it’s like to wake up to you, I don’t know if I can go back.”
My hands came up to cup his face. I tried to speak but he wasn’t done.
“I don’t deserve your forgiveness but I would love the chance to work for it. If you’ll let me. We’ll take this at whatever pace you need to and I promise to never push you. I just… I know it might be too much but I can’t hold myself back with you.”
“Let’s move forward, okay?” I asked but it wasn’t really a question. I was making a decision for myself as much as for him. I knew that holding onto everything that we’d been through would only cause damage to our relationship in the end. “I want to figure out the future together and not let the past hang over us. You hurt me, I think you get that by now. And I truly believe that you will work hard to not do it again.”
He kissed me again, taking his time to explore my mouth. It was all the answer I needed.
“Thank you,” he whispered against my lips as he pulled away and I smiled up at him.
I hated that he stopped but it was probably the smart thing. I was seconds away from turning into a panting, desperate fool. I would have probably started rocking my pelvis against him and begging him to touch me more.
Besides, I really needed to get back home. I was missing Chry and I was sure he was wondering where I was.
“I know you’ve got to go,” he said softly understanding my thoughts even if I didn’t say anything. “Give that little guy a hug for me.”
Sparrow started to squirm just as we got out of bed. In the fully lit room, Mouse looked much better. His dark circles were still there but significantly less noticeable now.
I dressed, throwing my bra and dress back on but leaving his boxers because the thought of putting dirty underwear back on made me cringe.
“Are you working today?” he asked.
He was already settled on the bed holding Sparrow as she greedily gulped down her bottle.
“Yes. I’m off at seven.”
“Who’s watching Chry?”
