My Kind of Perfect: a Roommates-to-Lovers, Single Dad Romance (Finding Love Book 3)

by Nikki Ash

  Knock, knock, knock.

  I wake up to the sound of someone banging on the door. I glance around, finding myself sitting in the rocking chair in Hazel’s room and everything from yesterday hits me all over again.

  Victoria beating up Georgia and stealing Hazel.

  Victoria overdosing.

  The apartment catching fire.

  Hazel dying in the fire.

  I consider closing my eyes, not wanting to deal with my new reality, one where I have to somehow move forward without my daughter in my life, but whoever is knocking on the door won’t stop. I rise to my feet and drag myself to the front door.

  When I open it, standing in front of me are two police officers. I know both of them from working as a firefighter. Have been on calls with them several times. “We were given your number from Alec at the station. We tried to call you.”

  “My phone is broken.”

  He nods. “We have someone that belongs to you.” He steps to the side, exposing the other officer, who’s holding my world in his arms.

  My heart clenches in my chest, and for a second I wonder if I’m going to have a heart attack. It’s actually difficult to take in oxygen.

  Please don’t let this be a dream. It would be the cruelest of cruel dreams.

  “Dada!” Hazel squeals, and I release a harsh breath. Her voice, the best sound in the world. A sound I didn’t think I would ever hear again.

  She wriggles in the officer’s arms, reaching out for me to grab her. She’s dressed in an overall dress with a pink and white striped shirt underneath. On her feet are pink striped socks and one shoe.

  One fucking shoe.

  Grabbing her from the officer, I pull her tight into my arms, burying my face in her neck. She shrieks in delight and the sound damn near brings me to my knees.

  “She’s alive,” I breathe through a choked sob. “You’re alive.”

  “She was turned in this morning. A gentleman by the name of Raymond Forrester said he showed up at Victoria Burke’s home yesterday to speak with her. He walked in on her doing drugs and barely awake, so he took the child. When he returned this morning and found the building was burned down, he brought her to the station.”

  I close my eyes, tightening my hold on my daughter. “Please thank him for me,” I choke out. Had he not taken her, she might not still be alive.

  “Will do.”

  I close the door behind me and sink onto the ground, refusing to let go of my daughter. She’s alive. She’s living and breathing and giggling because she has no idea how close she came to having her life taken from her. She’s happy and oblivious, the way a baby should be.

  “Mama?” she coos, trying to get out of my hold. “Mama!” she yells.

  Fuck, Georgia. She doesn’t know Hazel is alive.

  Thoughts of yesterday come back to me.

  She was in the hospital, in bad shape, and I yelled at her, blamed her. She was at her lowest, we both were, and instead of holding her and comforting her, I kicked her while she was down. Fuck. I was so upset, but that doesn’t excuse the way I behaved. I never should’ve said the shit I said.

  I stand, scooping my daughter into my arms, and grab my keys. I have no phone, so I can’t call her. I’ll have to drive over to her parents’ place and see if she’s there. Unless… Did she come home last night?

  No, she would’ve heard the knock. Just to be sure, I check out the room and then the guest room. She’s not in either one. Feeling Hazel’s wet diaper, I quickly change it, then put her in clean clothes.

  A few minutes later, we arrive at her parents’ house. Her truck was still at the apartment, so someone must’ve driven her to the hospital. I knock on the door and Charlie answers. The second she sees Hazel in my arms, she breaks down into tears, pulling us both into her arms for a hug.

  “Oh, thank God.” She holds us for several seconds before letting us go. “Is she okay?” She runs her hands down Hazel’s arms and legs, checking for herself. Of course, Hazel giggles, thinking she’s tickling her.

  “She’s okay. Victoria’s ex-husband found her and took her before the place caught fire. She was never near the fire.”

  “Hey, Mom, I think—” Georgia’s words ring out and then stop. Our eyes meet, and I note how bad she looks. Her eyes are all puffy, and not just from crying, from being beat on by Victoria. Her lip is swollen and her cheek is bruised. Victoria didn’t just steal Hazel, she assaulted Georgia.

  A loud gasp echoes in the quiet house and tears slide down her cheeks. She moves to come closer but then stops. “She’s alive,” she whispers.

  I nod. “She’s alive.”

  A sob racks through her body, as she shakes her head. “Thank God.”

  “Mama!” Hazel yells, reaching out for Georgia, completely unaware of what’s going on. When Georgia makes no move to come over and grab her, I step forward. Only she steps back.

  “Georgia… Do you want to hold her?”

  She shakes her head. “No.”

  Charlie sighs. “Georgia, honey…”

  “I’m so glad she’s alive,” Georgia says, her voice shaky with emotion. “I—” She chokes on her sob. “I prayed for this all to be a nightmare…”

  “I did too,” I admit. “I’m so sorry about what I said. How I—”

  “Stop,” she says flatly, cutting me off. “You have nothing to apologize for. You trusted me with your daughter and I nearly got her killed.”

  The way she speaks, her tone devoid of all emotion, sends a chill up my spine. And then it hits me, she said my daughter. As if she isn’t Georgia’s as well. “I shouldn’t have said—”

  She cuts me off again. “Yes, you should’ve because you were right. I am naïve and gullible. You trusted me with your daughter and I let you both down.”

  She can’t be saying what I think she’s saying.

  “I think it’s best if you go,” she whispers. “I’m going to stay here until I find a place of my own.”

  No. No. No, no, no. “Please don’t do this,” I blurt out, stepping toward her. She immediately steps back. “I was upset… I thought she had died and I lashed out. I didn’t mean what I said… Hell, I don’t even remember what I said.” Unfortunately, that’s the truth. I was so far gone, I couldn’t even recall all that I said to her.

  “It doesn’t matter what you said. I’m not fit to raise a baby. My only job was to protect her and I failed. You both are better off without me.” She glances at Hazel, longing in her eyes. I know she wants to hold her and kiss her and feel her warm flesh and beating heartbeat, but she’s resisting because she blames herself. Because I blamed her. When we got married, I vowed to stand by her side, and when shit got rough, I turned on her.

  And now she doesn’t think she deserves to be Hazel’s mom.

  I have to fix this. Right now. I did this. And it’s up to me to make it right.

  Without giving her time to retreat, I cut across the room with Hazel still in my arms, backing Georgia into a corner. Hazel reaches for Georgia and she flinches.

  “Chase, stop, please. You need to leave.”

  “No, you need to hold your daughter.” I thrust Hazel at Georgia, not giving her a chance to refuse.

  Not wanting her to fall, Georgia grabs Hazel, who clasps on to Georgia, excited to be in her arms.

  “You can be mad at me all you want, I deserve it. But this little girl is your daughter. I was wrong for the way I reacted. Your innocence, how you see the world, is what I love about you. It means you haven’t experienced the shitty parts of life, and I hope Hazel grows up with the same outlook on life as her mother.”

  She glances up at me with glassy eyes.

  “I hope she grows up to be just like you. You’re her mother in every way that counts and regardless of what happens between us, you will always be her mother. You trusted Victoria because it’s who you are. You’re trusting and good. Life hasn’t hardened you yet, and I hope it never does.”

  “My good almost got Hazel killed,” she m
urmurs, choking on a sob. Fresh tears spill down her cheeks, breaking my heart.

  “I should’ve paid more attention. I knew the way Victoria was and I pawned the entire ordeal off on you. I knew she would fuck up, and to prove a point, I made you handle it all on your own. I should’ve been your partner. I’m your husband. If what happened to Hazel is anyone’s fault, it’s mine, because I knew what Victoria was capable of and I did nothing to stop the train wreck.”

  Georgia shakes her head. “If I hadn’t gotten involved, none of this would’ve happened.”

  I step closer to her and run my knuckles down her cheek, wiping her tears away. “You don’t know that. She still could’ve come after Hazel. When someone is on drugs, you can’t predict what they’re capable of.” I wipe a falling tear from under her eye. “I know it’s going to take time for you to forgive me for what I said, but I’m asking you to please come home with Hazel and me. I love you and I’m so damn sorry. I’m a jaded asshole, and I need you in my life to help me see the world with softer eyes.”

  She closes her eyes, and I fear she’s going to push me away, but instead she moves forward and into my arms. Hazel giggles, being caught in the middle. I wrap my arms around my entire world. “I’m so sorry, baby,” I murmur into her ear. “I’m so fucking sorry.”

  “No more apologizing,” she says, resting her head against my chest. “I forgive you.”

  Of course she does. Because Georgia is good and pure. She’s the perfect in this crazy, fucked up, imperfect world. I don’t deserve her, but there’s no way in hell I’m ever letting her go.

  Georgia

  She’s alive. My sweet little girl is alive. When Chase showed up with her, I thought it was some sort of sick dream, but it wasn’t. We came so damn close to losing her, but we didn’t. At first, I was scared to hold her. After the situation I put her in, I didn’t feel like I deserved to. But then he thrust her into my arms and I knew regardless of how I felt, I would never let her go again.

  When Chase apologized for the things he said, I had two choices: either hold a grudge or forgive him. Some would choose the former, but I could see the sincerity and apology in his face, in his words, and so I chose the latter. Life is too short and I refuse to live it with a chip on my shoulder. Chase and Hazel are my world and I don’t want to be without either of them.

  After eating breakfast at my parents’ place—where Lexi, Alec, and Abigail joined the second I called and told Lexi that Hazel was alive—we head home. It’s odd walking through the door. It’s been less than twenty-four hours, but it feels like so much has changed in those hours. While Chase lays Hazel down for her nap, I glance in the living room, where Victoria attacked me, and a shiver runs up my spine.

  “You okay?” Chase asks, when he comes out of Hazel’s room and finds me still standing here.

  “Yeah, I just can’t believe what happened. That Victoria is dead and we almost lost Hazel… I could tell something was wrong with her. She was acting weird, like one minute she was on top of the world, telling me about how she’s modeling and giving Hazel an expensive gift, and the next she was in tears. I was trying to call for help when she attacked me. I know you’ll probably think I’m stupid saying this, but I wish I could’ve gotten help in time.”

  Chase smiles sadly. “I don’t think it’s stupid. I wouldn’t expect anything less from you, butterfly. When I found her, she was passed out with a needle in her arm. She had a problem with drugs and nobody could help her but herself. And if she was modeling again, it all makes sense. For Victoria, modeling and drugs go hand in hand.”

  “Her parents said she got into a huge fight with them. They could tell she showed up high and they kicked her out. They apologized profusely for not forcing her to give up Hazel.”

  Chase sighs. “When I was searching for Hazel, I found a nursery in her apartment. I think she came here with the intent to take her. Drugs make people think they’re invincible and do shit they normally wouldn’t do.”

  He pulls me into his arms. “I know you said no more apologizing, but I need you to know how sorry I am. I fucked up big time and I’m going to spend every damn day making it up to you.”

  I shake my head. “That’s not what I want. Everyone at one time or another says the wrong thing or handles a situation badly. Nobody’s perfect.” I stand on my tiptoes and kiss the corner of his mouth. “I love you, and all I want is to spend our lives together.”

  “Jesus, Georgia,” Chase growls, lifting me into his arms. “You never cease to amaze me.”

  I screech, quickly covering my mouth so I don’t wake up Hazel. “What are you doing?”

  “I’m taking you to our room so I can make love to you.” He drops me onto the center of the bed, then starts removing his clothes. When his boxers come down, his dick springs free, making both my mouth water and my thighs clench. It’s been too long since he’s been inside me.

  He climbs up the bed and removes my shorts and underwear, then crawls up my body, pressing his mouth to mine in a searing kiss. “I need to be inside you,” he murmurs against my mouth. “I need to feel your tight warmth wrapped around my dick.”

  His shaft pushes against the inside of my thigh and I assume he’s going to thrust inside me, but instead he reaches over and grabs a toy out of the drawer. It’s the anal vibrator.

  “Lift up.” He taps the side of my hip and I do as he says. He slides a pillow under my butt, then places my legs on either side of his shoulders. I’m completely open and exposed like this, but I’m too turned on to care.

  His tongue lands on my hole, and I jump in shock. He chuckles, but doesn’t stop licking the tight ring. He licks upward, from my ass to clit several times, each time slower, more controlled, and just when I think I’m going to come, he stops.

  “Not yet, butterfly.” He grabs the lube and squirts a little onto the vibrator, then slowly pushes it into me. Once it’s inside, he turns it on, and I damn near come.

  “Chase,” I groan. “I need you in me. Now.”

  After making sure the vibrator is fully in, he crawls back up my body, settling between my legs, and enters me in one fluid motion. I’m so wet, he slides right in, both of us moaning at how good it feels. He stills for a second, so I can adjust to him, and then he begins moving in and out of me. His arms cage me in, and our bodies connect in the most intimate way. His mouth devours mine as if I’m his lifeline. As if he needs me to breathe, to survive. And I feel the same way. What we went through, it was eye-opening, a reminder of how uncertain life is. I spent so much of my life tucked away in my shell, but now all I want to do is live.

  Between the vibrator and him, the ascent to my climax is swift, hitting me hard, and taking Chase with me over the edge. He pulls back, his beautiful hazel eyes locking with mine. They’re filled with love and happiness. Butterflies attack my chest.

  My path might not be perfect.

  Our life might not be perfect.

  But our love is.

  Georgia

  Five Years Later

  “Fuck, you’re so tight,” Chase groans, gripping my hair and pulling it, as he thrusts into my ass from behind.

  “Harder,” I moan, nuzzling my face into my pillow while massaging my clit. The house is filled with people, but I’m horny and couldn’t help myself. “Please, Chase,” I beg, “harder.”

  Just because I’m six months pregnant doesn’t mean I’m fragile. I like to be fucked and hard. And he knows that.

  Thankfully, he listens, and within seconds, my orgasm rips through me. He pulls out, coming all over my ass, and I sigh in satisfaction.

  “I never thought I would say this,” he says out of breath, “but I think this pregnancy needs to be your last.” This makes me laugh.

  “I’m serious.” He grabs his shirt from the floor and wipes the cum off me. “I’m getting old and can’t keep up with you. I’m not sure it’s normal to be this horny while you’re pregnant.”

  I sit up, scooting off the bed, so I can get cleaned up properl
y. “So, what you’re saying is, I need to find a younger, more—”

  “Don’t even think about finishing that sentence,” Chase growls, pulling me into his arms. We’re both naked and sweaty, and when our bodies glide against each other, my girly parts clench in need.

  Knock. Knock. Knock.

  We both freeze.

  The doorknob jiggles, and I pray to the parent gods Chase locked the door because I know I didn’t.

  “Mom! Why is the door locked?” Hazel yells.

  “Oh, thank God,” I mutter, making Chase laugh.

  “Mommy! I’m hungry!” Eva shouts.

  “Me too!” Hazel agrees. “We want pancakes.”

  I roll my eyes. “Why are both of our kids calling for me and not you?”

  Chase laughs. “Because we all agree you’re the cook in the family.”

  “We’ll be right out,” we yell at the same time, making us both snort out a laugh.

  We take a quick shower—despite me begging him for sex—and after we’re dressed, head downstairs.

  “About time,” my dad grumbles. “You guys spend more time in your room than with us.”

  Chase raises his palms in a placating manner. “That’s all your daughter. She’s horn—”

  I elbow him, making him grunt and stop talking. “Where’s Mom?”

  We’re all staying at their house in Breckenridge for the holidays, and even though it’s huge, with enough rooms for all of our families, I’m thinking it’s time we get our own place.

  “She’s sitting on the porch having coffee with your sister and Micaela.”

  “Ooh! I think I’ll join them.”

  “Mom, wait,” Hazel says, her cute little hazel eyes pleading. At six years old, she looks so much like her father. She has Victoria’s black hair, but her features are all Chase. “Grandpa said we have to eat cereal.” Her button nose scrunches up.

  My dad laughs. “There’s nothing wrong with cereal. Your mother grew up on it and she survived.”

  Eva scoffs, her emerald green eyes that match mine glaring at my dad with her four-year-old going on fourteen attitude. “Mommy makes us pancakes and if we’re good, she puts chocolate chips and bananas in them.”