Finding Our Forever: Single Dad Romance (Stepping Stones Series Book 1)

by Laura Riley

  Her hands lock around my neck and she pulls me down, my body falling onto her, my cock closing the final distance between us. I’m fully inside her. She moans. Her inner walls are so tight around me. Rising up on my arms, I look down at our bodies, joined as one.

  I lift her leg, placing her foot on my shoulder. I look down, getting the perfect view. I can’t hold back any longer. I thrust deeper, harder, I groan as my balls tighten and my cock throbs violently inside her. I drop her leg and allow my body to drop. I don’t want to crush her, but I want her in my arms.

  With me still inside her, I wrap her up in my arms and roll us onto the side. I kiss the tip of her nose. She blushes. She can’t pretend to be shy after that.

  She bites down on her lip. “Hi.”

  There’s so much I want to say, but only one thing that comes out. “Hi.”

  Lizzie

  We lie staring at each other. I prop my elbows on the pillow, gazing down at Seth. His toned chest is glistening with sweat.

  “That was…” Seth runs his hand through his hair. “Shit, that was intense.”

  He’s sure right about that. Is that how sex is meant to be? I’m not a virgin but have only been with one other guy. I do not remember sex feeling so damn good. With Gary it was awkward, the lights were always turned off, and we dressed the moment it was over. Seth didn’t turn the lights out, he didn’t shy away when putting on the condom, he stood there, tall and confident. He made sure I saw every inch, and in return he explored every inch of me. It’s hot, verging on awkward, but in the same way it’s helping with my insecurities.

  He runs his fingers gently down my arm. “You have no idea how much I’ve wanted you.”

  If only you knew how long I’ve wanted you.

  I turn my back and shuffle into him. His legs wrap around my legs and my ass presses into his groin. He wraps me up into his chest, pulling me close. He breathes against my neck. Each exhale causes goose pimples to ripple down my skin. God, I love how his body fits perfectly against mine. I love how we fit, in every sense of the word.

  Squeezing my hand, he lets out a long breath. “As much as I don’t want to move, I think I’m going to have to.”

  He kisses my cheek. Butt-naked, he gets up and walks into the hall. I’m almost too scared to look, but steal a peek at his ass before he makes his way up the stairs. I can hear him moving around upstairs, the water running, and the floorboards creaking.

  Oh, my God, did we really just have sex? It feels so surreal. Closing my eyes, I smile, thinking back to the years I fantasised about him. Back then I never thought in my wildest dreams that I’d be anything more to Seth than Cole’s little sister.

  Clutching the covers to my chest, I fall back onto the bed. My heart is still racing, my lips still swollen from our kisses, my body still tingling from his touch.

  I can hear the bathroom door open and close. Our gazes meet as he makes his way down the stairs. He winks, standing in the open doorway. He makes no attempt to dress. Instead he places his hands above his head, holding the frame. His chest rises and his tapered waist narrows as he reaches up.

  Don’t look down, don’t look down.

  But I do.

  “Just can’t get enough of my cock, can you?”

  I grab a pillow and toss it in his direction. He catches it. The covers I was gripping moments ago fall from under my arms, exposing my breasts, and he stares. His eyes are hot and hooded, and he sucks in his lips. “God, how did I get so damn lucky?”

  I sit up, suddenly feeling more exposed than I did minutes ago. I hold the covers over my chest.

  “Get used to me looking at you, Lizzie, because I’m going to. A lot.”

  I look away for a beat. The intensity in his voice and stare are causing a reaction between my legs that I can’t explain.

  Seth rocks back and forth on his heels. “I don’t know about you, but I’ve worked up quite the appetite. Do you want to go into town and pick something up?”

  I nod, pressing my hands over my stomach to stop it rumbling. “Sure.”

  He steps aside, leaving the doorway clear. “The bathroom’s all yours.”

  I gather my clothes together and hug them to my chest as I make my way out of the room.

  Seth raises a brow.

  “What? I’m shy.”

  “Because that’s the impression I got when my tongue was between your legs.”

  I playfully shove him as I pass, and he slaps my bare ass.

  After cleaning up, I dress and stand looking at myself in the bathroom mirror. I’m sure some women can carry off the just-had-sex look. Unfortunately, I’m not one of those women. Washing my face, I wipe away the smudged mascara. I grab my vanity case from the windowsill and run a brush through my hair and apply some foundation and eye makeup.

  By the time I get downstairs Seth’s already dressed. He stands in the hallway holding one of my jackets in his hands. He helps me into it and takes my hand as we head outside to his van. When he unlocks the passenger side door, he holds it open for me.

  I know we’re not officially a couple, but it feels as though we are. I sit beside him in the front seat. When his hand isn’t holding mine it’s stroking my thigh as he changes gear.

  We park not far from the beach and amble along the sea front holding hands. Giving me a little tug, Seth guides me towards a narrow alleyway which leads into the town. Town isn’t overly busy, but people stagger out of bars, whilst others head into takeout restaurants.

  The shops don’t look anything special, especially of an evening. An array of different-coloured awnings frame the red-brick buildings. Shutters have been pulled down and ‘closed’ signs hang in the doors. The few shops that remain open have fluorescent signs hanging above the door. That’s when I notice ‘Cornwall Art and Prints’ lit up with bold red font. I remember seeing an event here being advertised. It looks as though there’s an exhibition inside.

  Seth juts his chin in the direction of the shop and looks at me as he awaits an answer.

  I love anything arty. “Sure, why not.”

  As we walk in Rick and Amber walk out. Smiling, we exchange glances, but don’t stop to talk. Everywhere we go, they seem to be. I wish she’d open up to me about her relationship with Rick. All I can get out of her is, “It’s complicated.”

  The interior of the shop is large and open-plan. Frames hang off the walls showcasing photography and paintings. Numerous sculptures in a variety of media line the back wall.

  We’re greeted by a middle-aged man dressed in a dark suit.

  “Not bad.” Seth admires the art.

  “Thank you.” The man hands us a flyer. “Please take a complimentary glass of champagne whilst you look around.” The man points us in the direction of a table where long-stemmed glasses have been laid out.

  Seth takes two glasses and hands one to me. “To us.” Licking his lips, he takes a sip. I’m not sure if it’s Seth’s toast or the alcohol warming my insides but whatever it is, it sure feels nice.

  I glance down and read the front page of the flyer. It seems the exhibition is solely Cornish landmarks and wildlife.

  Seth places the glass down and holds out his hand, which I take. Hand in hand, we take a slow walk around the room. The photography is beautiful—landscapes, seagulls in flight, guillemots with their striking brown and white plumage.

  One picture grabs my attention and I stop walking. Seth stands by my side. His eyes are wide as his gaze flits between black and white infrared and aerial photos. “I never realised photography could be quite so diverse.”

  I point to the photographer’s name directly below.

  “Amber took that?”

  “She sure did. I knew I’d seen that particular photo before.”

  We move on to the paintings. My favourite is Cornwall’s Lanhydrock House and gardens. It’s a nineteenth-century country house that has been recreated in soft pastels.

  Seth nudges me. “Lizzie. There’s a couple over there who have been trying to get
your attention.”

  I turn and wave in their direction. “It’s Mr and Mrs Jones. Their daughter Daisy is one of my art students.”

  Mrs. Jones bustles towards us. “I had to come say hello and thank you. Daisy’s art has come on so much, and it’s all down to you.”

  I drop my gaze. “It’s nice of you to say, but it’s not all down to me. She’s very talented. I’m simply pointing her in the right direction.”

  “Well, that’s not what our Daisy says. I also hear you’re quite the artist.”

  “I guess I’m okay.”

  Seth wraps his arm around me. “Will you learn to take a compliment, woman?”

  Mrs Jones beams. “Well, I best get back. It was lovely to see you.”

  Seth studies me for a beat. “Why don’t you paint a Cornish landmark and have it displayed here?”

  I shake my head. “I’m not that good.”

  “I’d like to be the judge of that.”

  I smile, though I know it doesn’t reach my eyes. My artwork is good, but it’s not something I’ve shared with anyone outside of the classroom. It is something I’d like to share with Seth when I’m good and ready.

  We spend about half an hour in Cornwall Arts and Prints looking around. Seth donates twenty pounds on the way out, and I purchase a small replica of Amber’s photograph and a copy of the nineteenth-century house printed on a postcard.

  Linking fingers, we walk outside and head for the Dolphin chip shop. We’re served straight away and, holding a cone of chips each, we sit down on a bench overlooking the beach.

  I stare out at the sandy beach. With dusk fast approaching, the sea resembles a large navy-blue cloak. People interrupt our view as they sporadically walk past.

  Seth shuffles closer. Our arms brush one another’s as we eat our chips with small wooden forks. He hasn’t spoken for a while; it looks as though he’s in a trance.

  God, I hope he’s not having second thoughts.

  His fingers stiffen as I reach for his hand. I glance back up and to his face. “Are you okay?”

  He looks down at our fingers. “Yes, fine, just a few things on my mind.”

  “You can tell me—that is, if you want to.”

  “It’s Anna.”

  I frown. “Anna?”

  “She turned up at my house last night.”

  I don’t feel hungry anymore. There’s a horrible feeling creeping its way into my stomach. Anna’s gorgeous, she and Seth have history together, and it bothers me. “What did she want?”

  He closes his eyes and shakes his head, like the thought alone is too awful to recite. “She’s emigrating to Australia.”

  I smile to myself. The further away she is, the better.

  He lets out a sharp breath. “She wants to take Ellie with her.”

  I gasp. “She can’t! Surely she can’t do that!”

  He shakes his head. “I’m not worried, she’s bluffing, I know she is. If Ellie meant that much to her there’s no way she would have walked out on her fifteen months ago.”

  “If you’re not worried, I wish you’d tell your hand that.”

  He loosens his grip. “Sorry, Lizzie. Shit, I don’t know. Darcy keeps pecking my damn head over it and I guess her worry is starting to project itself on to me.” He tosses our empty containers into a bin. “I could always come back for a nightcap.” A wicked smile twists his features. “Round two?”

  “You’re incorrigible.”

  He lifts a brow. “You’re only just coming to realise that?”

  Streetlights flicker as we make our way to Seth’s van. Once inside, he pulls his phone from his pocket and sighs. “Round two is going to have to wait.”

  “What? Why?” That sounded more desperate than I had intended it to.

  “Ellie’s awake and is asking for me. I’m going to drop you back and go pick her up.” He places his hand on my knee, working it all the way up. “I’m finding it hard to resist you.”

  So don’t.

  Seth

  “Home, sweet home,” Lizzie says.

  I pull the handbrake up and turn in my seat so that I’m facing her. I capture a lock of her hair between my fingers and tug her closer. “I’ll see you in the morning.” I kiss the tip of her nose. God, what I’d give to spend the night with her. To hold her in my arms, have her head rest against my chest, and have her wake up beside me. I’d love to think it could be a possibility, but realistically it’ll never happen.

  I rest my forehead against hers. “I wish I could give you all of me.”

  “I’m happy to have whatever is available.”

  I take her hand and hold it against my chest. “I hope you know what you’re saying, because I don’t think my heart could survive another break.”

  For the first time she initiates the kiss. Her kiss is soft and sweet, just like her. I don’t deepen the kiss. I just enjoy the feeling of having her in my arms, knowing she wants me as much as I want her.

  There’s an innocence, a vulnerability about Lizzie that intrigues me. Is it wrong for me to want to preserve that vulnerability?

  “I’ll ruin you,” I say into our kiss.

  “So ruin me.”

  I push my hand down her jeans, and my finger is pressing against her clit. She squirms in my embrace.

  I break our kiss. “Does that feel nice?”

  She doesn’t answer, but by the way her hips chase my finger I’m guessing the answer is yes. With my free hand I undo my trousers.

  Her body tenses. “Seth, not here.”

  “What? You’re not into public displays of affection?”

  She pushes my forehead away with her palm. “Not when my neighbours have front-row seats.”

  I press her clit one final time before pulling my hand free. “Then we’ll take the party inside,” I say, licking my finger. “God, you taste so good.”

  Her face turns a nice shade of red. I’m dying to pull her onto my lap and fuck her right here, right now.

  “Do you want to?” Her voice is low.

  My finger slowly teases the material of her t-shirt. “Do I want to what?”

  “Come inside?” she whispers.

  “First you initiate the kiss, and now you’re propositioning me for sex. I like this side of you.”

  I love how hard she’s trying, and the fact she’s pushing herself out of her comfort zone.

  I’m so tempted to take her up on her offer when the feel of my phone vibrating in my pocket brings me back to reality. I ball my hand into a fist and bite my knuckles. “As much as I want to, I’ve got to head back.”

  Disappointment twists her features, and she starts to shuffle towards the van door. I take her hand in mine and place it on my groin. My cock is rock hard and I want her to feel what she’s doing to me. “I just want you to know that today was the first time of many, Lizzie. I have no regrets.”

  “Neither do I.”

  “Good. Now get that sexy ass in the house before I give your neighbours an X-rated show they won’t forget.”

  I walk her to her door. Back in my van I turn on the engine. I shoot Darcy a quick text to let her know I’m on my way. I push the gear stick into reverse, pull off the drive and head straight to my sister’s.

  Darcy greets me at her front door. She’s wearing a pink fluffy robe. Ellie is asleep in her arms.

  “I’m sorry, Seth, she went straight back to sleep. I shouldn’t have disturbed you.”

  My baby’s face is squished against Darcy’s chest. Her mouth is open and a small line of drool seeps from the corner.

  “There’s no way I’m taking her home in that state. By the time I’ve got back and fucked around getting her into bed she’ll be wide awake.”

  Darcy nods. “Why don’t you take the spare room tonight?”

  By the spare room, she’s referring to her twenty-year-old stepson’s old room. He’s currently at Edinburgh Uni studying economics. I know it’s not ideal as it only has a single bed, but I’m sure Ellie and I could squish together for the n
ight. “Has she been to the toilet?”

  Darcy winces. “Yeah, in my bed.”

  I bite the insides of my cheeks. “Sorry.” I try not to laugh, but it’s kind of hard not to. Darcy’s husband is a pretentious prick and it amuses me to know that Ellie’s pissed on his Egyptian cotton sheets.

  “If I wasn’t holding Ellie, I’d slap you.” She knows I hate Dwight, she knew from the moment I first met him.

  “Am I really that transparent?”

  She rolls her eyes. “As glass.” Stepping aside, she welcomes me in. “Here, take Ellie. I’ll put some fresh sheets on the bed for you.”

  Ellie and I meet Lizzie at the photography shop the following afternoon. The ‘closed’ sign hangs in the door. Chelsea and Amber have kindly blocked out a two-hour slot for us. I’m not keen on getting my picture taken, but I’m excited to see what they’re going to do with Ellie.

  Damn, Lizzie looks beautiful. She’s wearing a white summer dress. Her hair is loose with a daisy in the front. A daisy my daughter picked for her.

  Lizzie smiles. “Hey.”

  I look her up and down one more time, making sure she knows that I like what I see. “Hey, yourself.”

  We stare at each other for longer than would be deemed acceptable for friends. Ellie’s gaze bounces between us and, looking down, I can see the grin she’s wearing.

  “What’s put that grin on your face?” I quiz, running my knuckles back and forth over her head.

  She grabs my forearm and like a little monkey she clings on. I raise my arm, lifting her feet off the ground. Playfully, I shake my arm till her vice grip loosens and her feet return to the floor.

  “Tell her she looks pretty, Daddy.”

  Lizzie runs her fingers through her hair, dislodging the daisy. It falls to the ground. I don’t know what possesses me, but I bend down and retrieve it and secure it back in her hair.

  I step closer. “So my annoying daughter wants me to tell you that you look pretty.”

  The sun reflects in Lizzie’s brown eyes as she gazes up at me. “And do you think I look pretty?”

  Ellie giggles. Lizzie looks down, scuffing her shoe against the concrete step of Amber and Chelsea’s shop.