Long Road Home

by Kate Stacy

  Feeling his warm hands on my skin was a major turn on. That garage scene in the movie didn’t help matters. I’ve always loved that scene. A guy picking a girl up by her ass while kissing her—so fucking hot.

  Drake knew I was hot and bothered. He made it clear that he knew but still respected me by not making a move. I’m not sure I would have said no if he did. No other guy has ever had this effect on me.

  Saturdays at the bakery are always busy. Summer is coming to an end and school will be starting soon, so everyone is having last minute parties. Thankfully, we hired some extra help at the beginning of summer, so Mads and I aren’t both working open to close like we used to.

  I left her with two of our part-timers and headed home, thankful that we’re closed on Sundays. I want to be able to spend time with Drake while he’s here. I have no idea how long he’ll be staying before he leaves again.

  I can’t say that I love that he’s gone so much. I’m not clingy, but if we get serious, going weeks without seeing each other will really suck. It’s something that I’ll have to deal with because it’s not like I didn’t know about his job. I’m going into this with my eyes wide open.

  I pull up into our circular gravel driveway and turn off my car. As I’m climbing out, I hear laughter and hollers from the backyard.

  My mom stopped by the bakery earlier to see if she could leave Elijah with me a little early because she and my dad want to go out of town for the night. Normally, I’d keep him at the bakery with me until I got off, but Drake and Jaxson were there, so they offered to watch him for me until I got home.

  I head inside, going straight to my room to change clothes. I slip on a pair of yoga pants and an oversized shirt that hangs off my shoulder. Grabbing a bottle of water from the kitchen, I head outside through the sliding glass door to see my boys.

  I like the sound of that. My boys.

  The sight before me is enough to cause my ovaries to combust. I’m just in time to see Drake carefully ‘tackle’ Elijah as he runs through the yard with a football that’s bigger than his head. In reality, Drake grabbed him and rolled on the ground with Elijah completely protected in his arms, but Elijah is laughing hysterically the entire time.

  “Gotcha little buddy!”

  “I touch down! Win!”

  They haven’t even noticed me standing here yet, but Jaxson has. He’s watching me watch them with a huge smile on his face. He starts heading toward me which causes Drake’s head to snap in my direction.

  “Well hey there, beautiful!”

  “Mama home!!” Elijah pushes off of Drake’s stomach, which causes him to groan, and runs straight for me.

  I scoop him up and plant a huge kiss on his cheek. “Hey, baby boy. You having fun?”

  “Yesh mama! I win!”

  “I saw, baby. Good job!!”

  Drake’s on his feet now, brushing grass off his ass. I raise a brow and smile. He comes right over, pulls me and Elijah into a hug and kisses my cheek before releasing me. I set Elijah down, watching him take off to grab the ball.

  Jaxson comes up behind me, puts his hands on my shoulders, and kisses the top of my head. My eyes widen when Drake growls at him.

  He only chuckles and greets me. “Hey, Hails.”

  I lean my head back, looking up at him. “Hey, Jax. Mads said she’d be done in less than an hour.”

  “That’s my cue to head back to town. Gotta go meet my girl for dinner.”

  I turn to give him a hug. “See ya, Jax. Thanks for helping keep an eye on Elijah.”

  “Anytime, sweetheart. You know that.”

  I nod, stepping aside so he and Drake can say their goodbyes. After Jaxson heads back through the house to leave, Drake grabs my hand and I follow him to the lounge chairs that sit at the edge of the yard. He sits down, then pulls me to sit down between his legs. I lay back against his chest while we watch Elijah run around the yard.

  It’s peaceful, lying here with him like this. We don’t even talk. Words aren’t always needed with the two of us. He runs one hand up and down the length of my arm while the other is resting on my hip. It’s perfect.

  Seeing Drake interact so perfectly with Elijah only breaks down my walls even further. They get along so well, I can tell that Drake actually enjoys spending time with him. He’s not doing it because he feels obligated or because he thinks it’s what I want—he genuinely loves it.

  Once Elijah starts to wear himself out, we head inside to see about dinner. Neither one of us really feel like cooking, so Drake heads into town to grab some pizza and wings. I sit on the floor in Elijah’s room with him, reading through a chapter for class while he stacks his blocks.

  When Drake returns, we all go to the living room and sit around the coffee table to eat. I’m getting Elijah’s pizza cut into small pieces for him when Drake asks, “Wanna come help me pick out a dining table tomorrow?”

  I shrug. “Sure. I don’t have anything else going on.”

  “Perfect. I usually just eat here in the living room, but I figure with all of us here it’d be easier if we had a table.”

  “Probably, but you don’t have to buy one if you don’t want to.”

  “When are you gonna realize that I don’t do anything I don’t want to do? It’s not a problem, really. I just never really saw the need for one before. Now I do.”

  I simply nod as I start to eat.

  “After you left for work this morning, I found the donuts in the kitchen. I hope you weren’t saving them. I have no willpower. I told you I love donuts.”

  I can’t help but laugh. “Those were for you, actually. I completely forgot about them last night. They were supposed to be dessert.”

  “You spoil me, woman. We can have the rest for dessert tonight while we watch another movie if you want.”

  “I won’t turn down another relaxing night. I’m in.”

  After we finish eating, Drake cleans up the little mess we had and starts getting ready for a movie night while I bathe Elijah and put him to bed. We spend the rest of the night watching another Fast and Furious movie while we cuddle on the couch. I manage to make it through the entire movie this time. Drake walks me to my bedroom door and says goodnight with a kiss to my forehead.

  A girl could definitely get used to nights like this.

  DRAKE

  We head out after breakfast this morning to get to the furniture store. I know that Hailee doesn’t want me spending more money, but I want my home as comfortable as possible for the two of them. Elijah is too small to sit at the bar stools to eat and I don’t want to have to sit in the living room for every meal in order for us to eat together.

  It doesn’t take long for us to agree on one. It’s a large, farm-style table that seats ten. Hailee’s eyes lit up when she saw the dark-stained cherry wood with a padded bench seat on one side of the table and padded chairs on the other. She’s got great taste because I really like the table, too. It fits with the existing furniture in the house.

  After paying and arranging for delivery, we decide to go to a small cafe for lunch. As we’re finishing up and getting ready to head out the door, my phone vibrates in my pocket. I pull it out only to see my ex-girlfriend’s name on the screen. I haven’t heard from her in months, so I have no idea why the hell she’d be calling. I distinctly remember telling her to forget I exist after I threw her and her fucktoy out of my house.

  I decline the call, slipping my phone back in my pocket. I’m not going there. I have absolutely nothing to say to her. I take Hailee by the hand and lead her and Elijah to the door, opening it to let them go out first. I suddenly have a great idea.

  “Hey, baby, wanna take Elijah to the park to run around for a bit?”

  She looks back at me, smiling, then looks at Elijah and asks, “Hey buddy, wanna go to the park to play?”

  He doesn’t voice his answer, instead excitedly nodding his head with a beaming smile on his face. Hailee and I both laugh.

  “Alright, guess that means we’re going to the par
k.” She reaches for my hand and we start walking the couple blocks over to the park.

  It’s the weekend, so naturally, the park is full of people. Elijah points to the swings so we head there first. He doesn’t stick with any one thing for more than a few minutes, but he’s having fun and that’s all that really matters. He’s still too small to go down the slide on his own, so I climb up with him so we can go down together. We do this several times and he laughs and giggles the entire time. After about half an hour it becomes obvious that he’s getting tired, so we decide to head back to the house, where he can take a nap. I carry Elijah while Hailee walks beside me, holding my hand as usual.

  We’re walking back toward the cafe where we left Hailee’s car, when we pass a group of little old ladies. One of them speaks up as we walk by, “Excuse me. I just wanted to let you know that you have a beautiful family. We’ve been watching y’all, and it’s just made our day to see you and your wife playing with your son.”

  Hailee opens her mouth, probably to correct the woman, but I speak before she can get a word out. “Thank you. I’m a very lucky man.”

  I think Hailee is speechless, but the woman doesn’t notice. “So many parents push their kids in front of a screen and use it as a babysitter, so it’s a wonderful sight to see two young parents spending quality time with such a little one.”

  “You’re absolutely right, but there’s nothing I’d rather be doing than spending time with the two of them.” Elijah yawns and rests his head on my shoulder, so I politely excuse us. “I don’t mean to be rude, but we’re going to be on our way because the little one is ready for a nap. Thank you again for your compliment.”

  “Oh, of course. Go on, please. Wouldn’t want to keep him from his rest. Enjoy the rest of your day.”

  I smile at her and nod to the women that she’s with, “I hope y’all have a wonderful day.”

  Hailee smiles and waves goodbye to them before we walk away.

  Once we’re back in the car and everyone is buckled into their seats, Hailee turns to me and says, “I was going to correct her, you know.”

  “I know you were, darlin’, but it wasn’t necessary. It didn’t hurt anyone to simply accept the compliment.”

  She bites her lip, not responding right away, but eventually says, “I know that dating me must be difficult for you since I have a child. We do come as a package, but I’ll understand if you need time to adjust. You don’t have to jump right in.”

  “We’re officially dating now?” I ask, giving her a cheeky grin.

  She playfully slaps my thigh. “You know what I mean.”

  I turn to face her, pushing my joke aside, so she can see and understand how serious my words are, “This is not the place I want to have this conversation, so I’m going to say this, then we’re going to go home to finish this discussion after we get Elijah down for a nap. Understand?”

  She turns toward me, her bottom lip between her teeth again, giving me her attention.

  “Being with you and spending time with your son is no hardship to me. I genuinely enjoy spending time with both of you, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Believe that.”

  “Okay.”

  I lean over, lightly kiss her lips, looking in her eyes before pulling away. “Let’s go home. It seems we have some things to clear up.”

  I don’t wait for a response. I start the ignition and head toward the house. This conversation needs to happen. I didn’t think it would happen this soon, but she needs to understand that they’re both mine.

  HAILEE

  He kissed me.

  My heart somersaults.

  Okay, so it was just a light peck, but still...he kissed me. I want more. Until today, he’s only kissed my head in different spots and my cheek—never the lips.

  I’m quiet on the drive home. My mind lost in thoughts about kissing him again, and how serious he looked when he said that he enjoys spending time with me and Elijah. I know he does—it’s obvious, but my insecurities get the best of me still, and I open my mouth without thinking. I just don’t want him to feel obligated to play daddy to my son, especially when we’re just starting whatever this is.

  I’m anxious to see what else he has to say. I know he made a joke when I said we were dating, but he didn’t say anything else. We haven’t exactly put a label on our relationship. Are we actually dating? Or are we just a casual thing? Are we exclusive? Oh, God. I don’t think I can do this if we’re not exclusive.

  He must notice my silent panic because he reaches over, gently squeezing my thigh. “Relax, darlin’.”

  I’m quiet when I respond, “Okay.”

  He goes back to focusing on the road while I try to quiet the thoughts in my head.

  Once we get to the house, Drake gets Elijah out of his car seat to carry him inside. He fell asleep on the drive home and moving him doesn’t even cause him to stir. My baby is a good sleeper most of the time.

  After taking Elijah to his bed, Drake goes to the kitchen and grabs a beer before joining me in the living room and asking, “Ready to finish that conversation?”

  “I guess we probably should.”

  “Alright. Then for right now I’m gonna talk and I want you to listen. Really listen.”

  He sits down next to me, taking my hand before angling himself to face me.

  “I know that you agreed to be open to more than friends, but I can’t be casual with you. I made a joke before when you said we were dating, but I shouldn’t have. It’s not a joke. We are not a joke. As far as I’m concerned, we’re dating, together, boyfriend-girlfriend, or however else you want to put it. I’m yours. You are mine. You and Elijah.”

  I huff out a laugh. “So much for taking it slow.”

  “Baby, I can take it slow on whatever else you need me to, but not this. I don’t want there to be any question that we are together.”

  I hesitate before asking, “We’re exclusive, right?”

  “Oh hell, darlin’.” He pulls me against his side, putting his arm around me. “Yes, we’re definitely exclusive. I don’t want anyone but you.”

  I close my eyes, lay my head on his chest, and breathe a sigh of relief. “Good.”

  “I’m a one-woman man, always have been. You never have to worry about that with me.”

  I can hear the honesty in his words. I just have to make sure I keep my insecurities in check. He already knows that I’ve been cheated on repeatedly, so it doesn’t surprise him that this is a worry of mine. I’m glad that he doesn’t mind reassuring me.

  “You wanna know the truth?” I look up at him and he continues, “I’ve thought of you as mine since the moment I saw you. I can’t explain it. There was just something about you that I couldn’t ignore. Best day of my life when you agreed to be more than friends.”

  I tuck my head into his neck. His words make me smile but leave me speechless. “I don’t really know what to say to that.”

  “You don’t have to say anything. I just wanted you to know.”

  I tilt my head to look up at him again, finding him staring back at me. After a moment, his gaze flickers to my mouth, then back to my eyes. My heart speeds up as he slowly lowers his mouth to mine. His soft, warm lips brush mine lightly before he increases the pressure, kissing my bottom lip, then my top.

  This kiss is nothing like the small peck he gave me earlier.

  It’s slow. Sexy. Sensual.

  He pulls back slightly, his eyes looking back and forth between mine. He must find whatever he’s looking for, because he brings his hand to my jaw, thumb on my chin and captures me in another kiss.

  This time harder. Deeper.

  I have never been kissed like this. Damn.

  My eyes close and my hand glides up his neck, my fingers tightening their grip as he deepens the kiss. He uses his tongue to gently part my lips. I open to him, feeling a jolt of electricity pass through my entire body as our tongues tangle together.

  I wasn’t expecting this, but I don’t want to stop.

&n
bsp; I shift my body so that I’m straddling him, deepening the kiss even more. His left hand glides down to my throat where his thumb moves back and forth against my pulse. His right hand slides up my thigh and over my hip before stopping on my ass. He’s got a firm grip, using it to grind me against his hardness.

  Oh fuck.

  I gasp in surprise at how big he feels.

  He pulls away from my mouth, a chuckle rumbling out before moving to kiss my jaw, then down my neck. I whimper and tilt my head back, exposing more of my throat to him.

  “Fuck, baby.” He groans, his mouth still tasting me.

  I moan as he squeezes my ass hard enough to leave fingerprints on my skin. I still have one hand on his neck, but I slide the other under his shirt, feeling the rippling muscles there.

  I know that I wanted to go slow with him, but I didn’t know that his touch would ignite such heat. It’s never, ever been like this. I’m drenched, and he’s barely even touched me.

  I want more. So much more.

  Before I can open my mouth to speak the words, I hear the sound of my phone from the counter where I left it. I ignore it, knowing who’s calling from the ringtone playing. It immediately rings again.

  Drake pulls back, both of our chests heaving with heavy breaths.

  “You should answer that, baby. It could be important.”

  I don’t want to. I want to keep going, but I know he’s right.

  I reluctantly slide from his lap and cross the room to answer.

  “Hey, Gray. What’s going on?” I look back at Drake, finding him adjusting himself. He grins, not shy at all.

  He shouldn’t be.

  “Hey sweetheart. I wanted to let you know that I have the afternoon and evening free on Tuesday. I hate that it’s been so long since I’ve been out there to see you.”

  “It definitely sucks, Gray. I work Tuesday, but you know I’m always off by three since I go in so early.”

  Drake stands, crossing the room to me, wrapping his arms around me from behind and resting his chin on my shoulder.