Mikah cook will be even better.
Chapter Seventeen
Mikah
* * *
It’s official. I’m being cock-blocked by my own infant son. He’s done so well this week, sleeping when I want him, stretching it out for longer periods of time, I was beginning to get cocky with my parenting skills.
Now? Not so much. Which is a shame considering I really want to pick up where Paisley and I left off earlier when she was grinding up against me, and I had her pressed against the wall.
Angelo has been crying since the middle of dinner. I bounced him on my knee while Paisley ate, and when she was done, she took over with him. We fed him, changed him, and I can’t for the life of me figure out what is making him so unhappy.
Paisley is now in the kitchen washing the dishes, wiping off the countertops and her look of concern matches mine completely. I was hoping he would’ve been sleeping for most of the time she was over so she and I could have some time alone, but that looks like it’s not happening, delete.
All I can think about is the feel of her body against mine earlier and the way she succumbed to my kiss like she wanted it maybe more than I wanted to give her one. She’s sexy and more beautiful than ever in the dress she’s wearing. Now all I want to do is figure out how to get the little stinker in my arms to stop fussing and lay back down so she and I can resume what we were doing before.
My eardrum is in danger of shattering with his loud screams and even though he might only way twelve pounds, after holding him I’m concerned my arms might fall off.
“Any ideas?” I ask Paisley. I bounce him like she usually does but he doesn’t want his pacifier and I swear he’s getting angrier by the second.
“I can take him if you need a break.”
A break? I need to go back to last fall and make different choices. Guilt curdles in my stomach like it does every time I have these thoughts. Normally when I realize how much Angelo’s arrival is truly changing my life. Not that I’m not starting to love the little guy screaming like a banshee in my arms, but this is not the way I ever envisioned becoming a father.
It’s very rare I wish I had a better relationship with mine, or my mom for that matter. If I did, I would fly them in to help me get on my feet. Maybe give me a night where I can forget what my life has become.
Yeah, I need a break. A long one, but for now I’ll take what’s offered.
“Please.”
She slides him out of my arms, wincing at the harsh sound of his scream. Then she grins up at me and somehow that screaming becomes a distant hum.
“He’s going to be a loudmouth when he grows up.”
I swipe a hand down my face and fight a yawn. It’s after nine and I was so sure he’d be sleeping, but since I’m juggling a thousand more pucks in the air than I’m used to, I’m so damn exhausted.
“Let’s hope not. I am not used to this yet.”
Defeat and stress knot my shoulders. I not only hate I’m feeling this way I hate more I’m letting Paisley see it.
Her smile dims at my admission.
“Go.” Paisley juts up her chin. “Go sit. You look like you’re dead on your feet.”
Another yawn builds in my throat and I fight it back. More than dead on my feet, I’m frustrated tonight isn’t going how I want it to.
“Fine.”
“It’s okay to ask for help you know.”
“I wanted to have a night with you, looking like you do, kissing how you do.” I’m trying to lighten the mood and it must work because Paisley blushes, shakes her head like she can’t believe I’ve said all that. I can’t either, not with Angelo still screaming in her arms.
“We’ll have others. Go sit. I’m going to take him to his room. Maybe rocking him will help. Actually, have you by any chance bought a humidifier or diffuser?”
“I have one.”
“Okay. I’m going to take him to my place and grab something. I’ll be right back. Will you get the humidifier ready with some water?”
“What are you doing?”
“Grabbing lavender. I’ll be back.” She comes to me and kisses me, lips lingering on mine in a way I’ll currently do anything to help calm him