Babysitting Love (A Single Dad Romance #1)

by J. L. Beck

  “Well you’re family now sweetheart and nothing anyone says will ever change that. I knew when we came here tonight it wasn’t for me, but for you. I came because I wanted you to know that I cared enough about you to want to meet your family even if I knew they would judge us right off the bat.” His confession only made me sob harder and that in turn made me a bigger mess.

  “I’m sorry Liam,” I whispered against his chest as I had him guide us back to our car. I had wasted both of our time by coming here.

  “Don’t be sorry for the things that you cannot control. I’m grateful for everything you have done for Emery and me.” I felt butterflies flutter around deep inside my chest and with very step away from the house, the air in my lungs seemed to release easier. The tension left my bones, and by the time we were all in the car and leaving the one house I grew up in but would never see again I understood what I was feeling.

  I was free and fearless. I didn’t have to worry about my parents judging me or wondering about the baby or my life.

  All I had to worry about was Liam and the little girl in the back seat that I needed to be an example for. From that day on I vouched that I would be nothing less than a stellar mom, promising never to abandon or judge her.

  “I love you,” I said clasping onto Liam’s hand. He squeezed my fingers tightly, as he interlaced them before saying.

  “I love you too.” And he did love me. He loved me without a care to what the future may hold. He loved me for me, the nanny he needed, the mother he needed for Emery and the woman that I was today, and in return, I got a baby and a family that was whole.

  A family that boiled over the top with happiness, and love. A family that wanted me for me.

  Chapter Ten

  Liam

  Six Months Later

  I smiled down at Whitney her swollen belly filled with my two little boys. She was nearly seven months pregnant and I knew based off what the doctors said that with twins the babies could be born any day.

  Placing the breakfast tray on the bed next to her sleeping form I watched her suck in tiny little breaths and expel them. She was so fuckin beautiful when pregnant I was pretty sure I would keep her this way for as long as I could.

  “Did anyone ever tell you that it’s creepy to watch someone sleep?” Whitney’s sleepy voice met my ears causing me to jump. My eyes collided with her open ones as she gave me a soft smile.

  “It’s not creepy to watch someone you love sleep? I was admiring your beauty and the fact that you’re mine.” I grinned grabbing the tray and maneuvering it so that she could see the contents on it. I had made her breakfast in bed but I also placed something else on the tray.

  “This is so sweet of you Liam.” She gushed sitting up gently her swollen belly making it hard to bring the tray up to her. Once she was comfortable I moved it closer to her and took a seat on the other side of the bed. Seconds ticked by where nothing but our breathing could be heard.

  “What is this?” She turned to me, tears in her eyes as she clasped the black ring box in her hand. I knew I wanted to ask Whitney to marry me the day I met her I just knew it was too soon and way too much for her but now that we were a family there was no way I could hold off on doing it. I needed to make her mine.

  “It’s my love for you, and my promise to always be here for you. It’s a ring that I hope you wear on your finger to signifying our relationship.” She popped the box open with her thumb, her hands shaking as she examined the two-carat diamond ring that was my great grandma’s wedding band.

  “Oh my God.” Her voice was faint but the look in her eyes said she loved it and I knew she fucking would.

  “Will you do me the honor Whitney Sky? Will you be my wife and the mother to my children? My partner?” I asked cupping her by the cheek, forcing her eyes to stay on mine. I needed this moment with her like I needed my next breath. When she nodded her head, yes, and the tears finally started to slip down her cheeks I took the ring out of the box and placed it on her finger admiring how perfectly it fit.

  “I can’t believe you want to marry me…” She sniffled.

  “Of course I want to marry you, Whitney. I love you.” I stroked her cheek softly with my thumb.

  “I mean look at me.” She motioned to her belly. “I’m as big as a house and I’m cranky and some day’s I’m a wreck…” I had to stop her before she ran herself off a cliff with all the things she was saying.

  “Shhhh.” I placed a finger against her full pink lips. “That’s the beauty of love sweetheart. It's not about how a person looks on the outside it's about what they look like on the inside. It’s about their heart and I know damn well how big of a heart you have. Plus if it weren’t for me you wouldn’t be pregnant so I’m half to blame for your swollen belly.” I couldn’t stop myself I leaned in stroking my lips against hers letting her sweet taste linger against my lips.

  This with her would never get old. The love I had for her would never expire. We had it all even if we only had each other.

  “Then yes, I will be your wife.” She whispered against my lips making me the happiest man on the Earth.

  Chapter One

  Nash

  -Two Years Earlier

  Saliva filled my mouth as I watched Carly, my best friend’s hardly legal daughter, strut her stuff past me out by the pool. I had shown up to their pool party thinking the little brat wouldn’t be here. Man, had I thought wrong.

  Gripping onto the arm rests of my chair, I tried to reason with the man that she tempted at every turn.

  You can’t have her.

  I sucked in a deep breath of fresh oxygen before closing my eyes to regain some of my sanity. The girl had been teasing me for months. Wearing little to no clothing around me, and going as far as to rub her self against me in places I’m sure she hadn’t even explored yet.

  She had virgin written all over her, and I’ll be damned if that alone didn’t make me want her more. The need to truly find out if she was as naïve as she appeared to be seemed to consume my thoughts.

  Fuck! I shouldn’t be thinking about this, about her. I’d known Carly since the day she was born and no way could I lie and say I hadn’t been sucked into those big brown colored eyes of hers.

  Still, looking at her now, that tiny little girl had all but disappeared. She had curves, and tits, and full lips that needed to be wrapped around my cock.

  “Do you want a drink, Nash?” Kyle asked, pulling me from my very bad thoughts of his daughter before it could go anywhere.

  “I’ll take a beer…” I rasped, my eyes being drawn back to Carly across the pool. She was sitting with a friend, listening to her friend gush about some mundane bullshit. Probably college or high school shit.

  “Here you go, bud.” Kyle handed me the bottle of Bud Light, twisting the cap off for me. As if I was a pussy or some shit. It was getting harder and harder to be around Kyle when his daughter was just within arms reach.

  “How’s things with Sarah going?” I asked, before tipping the bottle back and letting the beer coat my throat.

  He shrugged, and then flipped the burgers he was cooking on the grill. I felt bad for the man, and not just because he was my friend. It was never easy to learn that your high school sweetheart was cheating on you with your own boss. Which is why I always fucked, and never stayed.

  It was easier that way. Less mess. Less heartache.

  “She’s not going to therapy anymore, and she isn’t even making an effort to see the kids. I think it’s starting to effect Carly.” I ground my teeth together. Fuck. The beautiful brunette was all I could think about as it was, now her father wanted to talk about her, with me no less.

  I shook my head lightly, taking another swig from the bottle. I was going to need twenty more of these if I planned on talking about Carly anymore tonight.

  “I’ve been your friend a long ass time Kyle so I’m going to say this as nicely as I can. She might be the mother of your children but she’s a raging bitch for teaching her kids it’s oka
y to cheat.” I blinked, having not realized what actually came out of my mouth.

  Kyle just huffed out a laugh, adjusting his glasses. I loved the man like a brother, which only made the fact his daughter gave me a raging boner that much harder. If he ever discovered how I felt about her, hell if she ever discovered it, we would both we screwed.

  “At least I still got you!” He slapped a hand on the back of my shoulder. Waves of guilt crashed into me. I excused myself to go to the bathroom. I needed a minute or two away from everyone to clear my head.

  I slipped through the sliding glass doors and into the lavish condo. The place looked like it belonged in a fucking magazine. It was all bright and clean and way too fucking fancy for me.

  My boots slammed loudly against the tile floor as I walked down the hall in the direction of the bathroom. I had just grabbed the doorknob to the restroom, when I heard the quiet pitter-patter of feet behind me. Feeling like a sick fucker deep down inside, I turned on my heels even though I shouldn’t.

  “You aren’t leaving yet, are you?” She twirled a strand of her caramel brown colored hair around her finger while she stared at me with fuck me eyes. My cock stiffened, and my hands ached to touch her.

  “No, Carly. I’m heading to the restroom and unless you’d like to hold my cock for me, or suck it, then you’re not needed here.” I forced a smile and turned back around, feeling confident I had scared her away. I didn’t want to be a dick to her, but I needed to protect both of us and being a dick was the easiest way to do it.

  The fucking girl needed some sense knocked into her. I was hell on wheels, and the kind of guy that broke hearts like hers straight down the middle. I didn’t do commitments or anything along those lines. Not to mention the fact that I was nearly twenty years older than her, and her father was my best friend.

  Fuck me. This couldn’t happen. But I wanted it to.

  “Maybe I want to suck your cock, Nash.” Her hand landed against my arm, halting any further movement from me. I was face to face with her now, and I squeezed my eyes shut, praying like hell that when I opened them that I could resist her sweet touch.

  “Sorry sweetheart, but a man like me knows when a woman like yourself is a virgin to everything including sucking dick, so unless you got something else to tell me, run along.” I popped my eyes open, hoping she would take the hint and walk away. Instead she moved in closer, her chest rubbing against mine. I could feel her hard nipples pebble against the fabric of her bathing suit top and the sensation shot straight through me.

  “I want you though, and I know for certain you want me.” She nibbled on her bottom lip, tempting me and my steel hard cock. I inhaled through my nostrils, her scent nearly knocking me over.

  Lavender.

  The sweet floral scent filled my airways and took over my body. She smelt like a fucking freshly picked flower.

  “No, Carly. I’m way to bad for a good girl like you. Now stop lusting after me and hell, better yet, stop teasing me.” I hissed out, letting a little bit of my control slip. Her hand was still resting against my forearm and I couldn’t lie and say I didn’t like the feeling of her body against mine. Not when I liked it a-fucking-lot.

  “Carly, have you seen…” Kyle’s voice stung my ears, as I shrugged off Carly’s hand. She twirled around to face her Dad and I took that moment to slip into the bathroom. I heard Carly sigh and walk away from the bathroom, telling her dad something to hold him over for the time being.

  I gripped the ends of my longish jet-black hair in frustration. I was a grown ass man lusting after a young woman that I had no business lusting after.

  The fact that she had all but begged me to fuck her didn’t help. I had barely resisted her just now. What would happen next time?

  I should just leave. This was all wrong. Me wanting her. Her wanting me. I was like an uncle to her. I shouldn’t be the man popping her cherry.

  I drained the tank and washed my hands, staring at the man up that reflected back at me in the mirror. I had a tiny bit of stubble that marred my cheeks and chin. My dark eyes were vacant of any real emotion, and I look tired as fuck.

  I let out a ragged breath and hoped like hell that Carly had finally taken the warning and walked away. Relief flooded me as soon as I opened the door and didn’t see her. Thank fuck her father had shown up, then again I couldn’t imagine what the hell he thought we were doing in the hallway so close to each other.

  “I can’t thank you enough, Nash. For being my friend and helping with the kids.” Kyle’s voice startled me, freezing me in place. I didn’t take another step. I just stood their shell-shocked. What could I say to him?

  I shrugged, playing it cool, because honestly I didn’t know what to say.

  “You’re practically family, man. No need to thank me.” I wasn’t lying, he was practically family. My family wasn’t very supportive of my life, and when I signed a ten-year contract with the Army, whatever support there had been had evaporated into thin air.

  “Nope, thank you’s are definitely in order. Carly told me what you guys were talking about before you went into the bathroom. Let me just say that I’m glad to have someone like you protecting my daughter from anything bad in this world.” He came out from around the marble island and gave me a hug.

  That bad, bad girl. A smirk pulled at my lips as my eyes glanced out the sliding glass doors and out to the pool where she was standing looking in at her father and I.

  She might have had him fooled, and maybe even me for a short time, but not anymore. I knew exactly what it was that she wanted, and exactly what I would have to do to end this between us.

  “I’ll always be here. No matter what.” I confessed, and let the words linger as we separated so that we could go back out into the heat. All I could see was Carly and all I could feel was her small hand against my skin.

  I needed to leave. I needed to end this.

  The hours ticked by, the sun finally started to set. It was beautiful, an array of reds, blues, and oranges painting the skyline.

  “Don’t deny me.” Carly slipped into the seat next to me, her voice soft, so soft that I almost missed what she said.

  “This can’t happen, Carly. Not now. Not ever.” I told her, watching the light flee from her eyes. I hated breaking her heart, but this was for the best. I had no other option but to leave because if I stayed I would grant her that one fucking wish she had: to be with me.

  “I won’t tell.” She bit her bottom lip, white teeth sinking into the flesh that I myself desperately wanted to bite. I clenched my fist together, my cock growing hard once again because of this sweet girl who didn’t know what she was asking for.

  “I will, though. Your dad thinks the world of me and I won’t tarnish that view. I won’t fuck with your life, baby girl.” I rasped wanting nothing but to take her back to her room, strip her bare, and fuck her like a crazed man.

  Her eyes flicked to her father who was standing by her brother at the edge of the pool. He loved his fucking kids. They were his world, and I couldn’t do anything that would fuck that up.

  “I want you though, and I don’t care if we can’t be together. It only has to be once.” She was desperate, and deserved more than someone like me taking from her whatever I wanted. I wouldn’t be that fucker even if I wanted to be so fucking badly.

  “No. It’s not happening. I will tell you this, though. You’re beautiful and have an entire world before you. Don’t give your virginity to someone you think should have it. Be in love. Okay?” I whispered under my breath, getting up from the chair before I did something reckless like kiss her until neither of us could breathe.

  “It’s still going to be you. Tomorrow. Next week. In two years. I’ll wait.” I shook my head, forcing the words she had spoken from my mind. I couldn’t think about any of that shit as I walked out of her life for the first time. I needed the distance. It’s the only thing that would keep her virginity intact and my face from being busted up.

  “I’m heading out, Kyle.
” I said gruffly, clearing my throat. Emotions swarmed me. Kyle waved at me as he pushed his son Tanner into the pool. I opened the sliding glass door and took in one last look of the brown-eyed beauty before closing the door.

  It’s for the best.

  She would survive, and find love somewhere else.

  Chapter Two

  Carly

  -Present Day

  My body lit up like a Christmas tree when my father told me Nash would be coming to my graduation party. It had been two years since I had last seen him, and my body reacted the same way it always did when I heard his name. My heart was pounding in my ears as I raced up our long ass driveway, the sun just coming up over the horizon.

  I had made up my mind as I ran the two-mile trails around the house. I was bound and determined to keep him in my life this time. There was no way in hell that I was going to let him leave me behind again.

  I opened the sliding glass door off the side of the house, a shriek erupting from my throat within seconds of crossing the threshold.

  There, on the couch in the house my father had bought me, sat the one man that I loved more than life. I stared at him for a long moment, drinking in him like a cold glass of water.

  “Do you know what I’ve done in the last two years?” He rasped, his voice all gravely. His back was still to me, and I wanted to see his face. God, I needed to see his face, just to make sure it was really him..

  “How did you find this place?” The question left my lips before I could stop it. I wanted to know he came because he needed to see me, because he needed me as much as I needed him.

  A gruff laugh left his lips, and I walked further into the room, until I was directly in front of him. I could feel drops of sweat sliding down my chest and onto my breast. My pussy clenched with desires I didn’t quite understand yet. I had held onto my virginity for him.