Slipping from the bed, I grab my underwear and tug them up my hips before I quietly move out of the room. Stalling at the door to look back at her one last time. Fuck me, this woman owns me. With a shake of my head, I start to walk through the house to find the origin of the noise I heard.
As soon as I make my way into the kitchen to grab something to drink, I see the reason for my waking up. Kora is standing in front of the refrigerator, her body halfway inside.
“Hungry?” I ask, trying to keep from laughing.
She straightens, whirling around and I’m unable to control the laughter for even a second longer. She has chocolate frosting all over her lips and even a little on her nose.
“No,” she lies.
Tilting my head to the side, I reach out and touch the tip of her nose with my finger, then hold it in front of her as evidence. Her eyes widen before they shift to the side.
“Are you nervous, scared, or upset?” I ask.
Bellarosa and I told Kora about the new baby earlier, the cupcakes were a way to soften the blow of her no longer being an only child. I thought it worked, but maybe, I was expecting too much from my little girl. I sometimes forget that she’s still so young, my girl always acts so grown up.
I watch as she closes the refrigerator door with a heavy sigh. “Nervous, excited. Worried,” she whispers.
“Worried?”
She nods. “What if Bella leaves. I don’t want her to leave like my mom,” she admits, chewing on the corner of her bottom lip.
I shake my head, crouching down in front of her on my haunches. “They aren’t the same person. You know that?” Kora nods but doesn’t say anything. “Bella and I are together and very much in love. She isn’t going anywhere, not if I can help it.”
Kora doesn’t seem to buy my shit, she continues to watch me. It’s then that I decide I can no longer hold off. I’ve had the ring in my dresser, I’ve thought about it day in and day out. In the end, I’d thought it was too soon.
I wanted to wait, but maybe I don’t need to. Maybe Kora is just as ready as I am to make Bellarosa a permanent part of our lives in a way where there is no leaving, in a way that binds her to us.
“I have a ring. I was going to wait a little bit,” I admit. “I have adoption papers too,” I hesitantly offer.
“For me? Would she?” she asks, her voice full of awe.
I nod. “We’ve talked about it. She would, I know that she would love it if you were officially her daughter.”
Kora nods, her hair flying in every which direction before she throws her arms around my neck. “Ask her, Daddy,” she whispers, almost inaudibly.
“Ask me?” Bellarosa’s voice calls out from behind me.
Standing, with Kora still in my arms, I turn around to face her. Bella’s eyes are wary as her gaze flicks from mine to Kora’s. I give her a small smile, inhaling deeply and opening my mouth to speak when Kora beats me to it.
“Will you marry my daddy and be my mommy?” she asks. Her voice is softer than normal and full of so much hope.
Bella’s eyes immediately water, standing in the dark kitchen barefooted, pregnant and only wearing my t-shirt. Fuck. She’s never been more beautiful.
“I would love nothing more in this world than to love and be loved like that,” Bellarosa rasps.
She closes the distance between us, and I wrap my free arm around her. Together, we stand, huddled as a new family unit. We may not know each other well, we may be new, but we are a family and we are just beginning on this new road together.
I can’t fucking wait for the lifetime of curved bumpy as fuck roads, as long as I end every night with this woman at my side and in my bed.
About the Author
As an only child, Hayley Faiman had to entertain herself somehow. She started writing stories at the age of six and never really stopped.
Born in California, she met her now husband in high school and they were married shortly after.
Hayley’s husband joined the military and they lived in Oregon, where he was stationed with the US Coast Guard. They moved back to California in 2006, where they had two little boys.
Currently, the four of them live in the Hill Country of Texas, with their newest member of the family, a chocolate lab named Optimus Prime.
Hayley spends her days creating alpha assholes and the women who love them.
Special Thanks
I always say a special thank you to my husband, my best friend, truly he is the man who supports every single dream of mine and works to make them all come true.
My mom, she is everything. She knew I had a dream and has stood behind me as a rock, cheering me on at every single dip and curve along the road. She’s the kindest, most loving, and most supportive mom in the world. Thank you, Banana Boots.
Cassy Roop, thank you so much for always making these covers so downright gorgeous, every time I think that one is my favorite you outdo yourself and create something else spectacular!
Ellie McLove, thank you for being a friend, for your fantastic editing, and just for you.
Rosa Sharon, thank you so much for proofreading, you always add that finishing touch that makes my books sparkle!
Celia one of my biggest fans and supporters. You’re the best, and my longest friend. Thank you for always being there for me.
Crystal Snyder, thank you for being such a beautiful person inside and out, and a wonderful friend! I can’t wait for more adventures that await us!!
Tammy Cole, thank you for always being there for me and lending a listening ear. I truly appreciate our friendship! Thank you for alpha reading for me!!
Thank you to my reader group, Hayley’s Asshole Alphas, you ladies always brighten up my day!!! Love you!
To all the Blogger babes that have taken a chance on me…
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
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