Unlike mine, his was without scars or callouses. His flesh was unblemished by a rough lifestyle. We shouldn’t work together, but somehow, we did. He was everything I wasn’t.
A trickle of fear climbed my spine when I thought of him returning to Edmonton and never hearing from him again. I knew it was inevitable. His life was in the city. Mine was in Jasper. His was fast-paced and more than a little reckless. All I wanted was to settle down and find my forever-man.
That man wasn’t Lachlan.
He’d admitted he wasn’t monogamous. I couldn’t see him wanting children or getting married someday. I had Percy to think about now.
Percy.
My chest swelled, and tears filled my eyes again when I remembered I was taking him home. Gone were the days when I would have to worry if he was eating enough and safe. I would guard that child with my life. I would teach him everything I knew. I would raise him to be a good man.
“What’s got your forehead all wrinkled, cowboy? Looks like you’re thinking too hard.”
I blinked, clearing my head and focused on the tired green eyes peering across the pillow. Lachlan touched my face, my jaw, my lips.
“Do you regret what happened between us?”
I caught his wrist and kissed the center of his palm. “No. You?”
“No.”
“Do you wanna run away?”
He shifted closer. “No.” Soft lips brushed mine. “I don’t know what I can offer.”
“I know.”
“Shh … I’m not finished. I’ve never dated anyone before in my life.”
“Really?”
He pecked my lips, and I felt his smile. “Go ahead. Add slut or man-whore to my list. I won’t deny it. But it’s different with you. I was awake thinking for a long time.”
“What did you come up with?”
He shook his head, and my heart pinched.
“My life’s in Edmonton. But…”
“I know. I told myself before I brought you into my bed not to get my hopes u—”
“But,” he said, cutting me off. “I think I want to stick around for a bit and see what this is between us.”
I studied his face, looking for deceit or a catch. He was serious.
I shook my head. “God, I’d love that, but … things just changed with me. Percy’s comin’ to live ’ere. He’s my responsibility. Knowin’ Mervin, I might have that boy indefinitely. I hope I do. He’s…” The truth knocked the wind out of me. “He’s like a son, and he’s part of me now. It was one thing to ask you to give me a chance, but now I guess I’m kinda a package deal.” I ducked my chin, not wanting to see the look on his face. “I know it was hard enough expectin’ you to agree to date a guy, but now—”
“You don’t think I could date a guy who has a kid?”
I huffed a humorless laugh. “C’mon, Lachlan. Let’s be serious. Do you even like kids? You don’t seem like the type.”
“Honestly. I’ve never thought about it before. I don’t think I’m very good with them. My fatherly role model leaves much to be desired. My dad’s not like your dad. My whole family is nothing like yours. So it’s foreign. I know that doesn’t answer your question. The truth is, I don’t know. I’m trying to be as honest as possible. But, can you let me figure it out? Can we … maybe see what happens?”
I found Lachlan’s face again. His worry was real. This whole thing scared the shit out of him, but he wasn’t running.
“Don’t you have to go home?”
He shrugged. “Not yet. I’ll figure it out.”
I took a minute to admire him. Lachlan was a lot of things, but I’d learned, he was more than what he showed on the surface. I wrapped my hand around his nape and tugged him against my mouth, kissing him and savoring the warmth of his body. My dick responded immediately, eager for more attention, and Lachlan must have felt the same.
He shimmied closer until our hard lengths glided together. A few more thrusts and Lachlan broke from my mouth, panting. “Are you going to finally let me fuck you, cowboy?”
I studied his face and analyzed his words as a slow smile crept onto mine. “You keep sayin’ that.”
“What?”
“That you wanna fuck me.”
“Because I do.”
“Why do I get the feelin’ I just found the one thing we have in common, and it’s gonna cause a problem.”
He frowned, his brows coming together. “What do you—” Those brows shot up, and his green eyes widened. “No! Don’t tell me… You’re