The Way To A Man's Heart - Frankie Love Page 0,115
whole time Brittany is holding Annie, who is so at peace in her arms I let my shoulders down, breathing in the knowledge that Annie is okay. We are okay.
“And now I’m the only dad she will ever know,” I finish. “Sorry, that was quite the info-dump.”
“Oh, Beckett, you’ve been through hell.” We’re standing in my messy bedroom, I’m telling her the whole story, and she reaches out for my hand. Without hesitation. She squeezes it, and her sincerity reaches my heart. I swear she sees me in this moment. Sees that I’m doing my best.
“And that’s why she has been sleeping in here, with me,” I explain. “I can’t let her out of my sight. It’s why I keep putting off going back to work.” I run a hand over my jaw. “But my friends told me I needed to move forward. And so I got in touch with that agency. They did background checks on us both, you know all that, so that is why I felt okay with hiring you. Well, that and because you just seemed so perfect when we video chatted.”
“Perfect, right.” She rocks Annie in her arm. “This sweet girl has lost so much, so young.” She looks up at me. “Beckett, I’m just honored you would trust me with her.”
“Can I show you the rest of the house?” I ask, not wanting her to let go of my hand. I keep hold of it and lead her down the hall. Eventually I let go so as not to come off as a creeper, but damn, I want to do so much more than hold her hand. I want to pull her into my arms and kiss those perfect pink lips. I want to get lost in her eyes, her body.
And it’s not the sleep deprivation talking… it’s the fact that she is even more gorgeous in real life than in video. And that’s not even considering the fact her cheeks have the cutest dimples, and her eyes are so bright — filled with hope. And God, I need that know.
“This room is so cozy,” she says as I show her the empty room that will eventually be Annie’s. Right now there are a dresser and boxes. “Can’t you just picture her in that window seat, reading a book in ten years?”
“I totally can,” I say. “I know I need to do something with this space eventually, but the last few months have been about learning how to take care of a baby.”
“Well, you’re doing great.” Then she gives me a wink. “And you hired me, which just proves how smart you are.”
I chuckle, leading her down the hall to a third bedroom. “This one has its own bathroom,” I say. “And there is a fourth bedroom on the main floor, next to the kitchen.”
“This one is probably better, since you work some nights.”
“That’s what I was thinking,” I say. “And when I’m not working, you’re off.”
She nods, following me back downstairs to the living room, den, kitchen. I can’t help but check out her ass as she walks, it’s so damn sexy.
“Is this where you make your famous chocolate chip cookies?” she asks.
“Yes, and eat the home-cooked meals that keep getting dropped off.” I tell her about Georgina’s meal calendar.
“Well, I can do that now,” she says.
“No, you don’t have to. You’re hired to help with Annie, not run the house.”
She twists her lips. “I’m a pretty good cook though. Won’t you be sad if I’m eating some amazing bowl of homemade pasta and you’re eating a reheated casserole?”
I smile, watching her with Annie — who hasn’t fussed once. “I suppose you’re right. But no pressure. Though we don’t have much in the way of groceries.”
“What do you think of me laying Annie down for a bit?” she asks. “Then we can start a grocery list?”
“And top of the list is chocolate chips, because I’m ready for this bake off,” I tease.
She laughs. “Okay, Mr. Confident, you’re on. Tonight after Annie goes to bed, we’re gonna whip up some cookie dough.”
I pull out a pen and paper, working on the list, knowing what I really want to whip up tonight is her. In my bed.
Chapter Six
Brittany
Beckett brings out the best in me and after several hours of helping him clean up his house, warming up and eating the dinner Georgina dropped off, and giving Annie a bath, I’m feeling better than I have in years.