6. Rhys

Shit! Damn! Busted!

Jayson stood a few inches from me, his arms folded across his muscled chest, covered in his Marine Corps hoodie. The look on his face said I’d disarmed him a little, and he wasn’t really mad. More amused than anything. But standing this close to him was dangerous for my libido.

“Oh, this should be good,” he said, taking this way more calmly than I expected. “I can’t wait to hear this,” He evidently spoke sarcasm. Nice.

This was definitely not how I planned on meeting my mate for the second time. The options had been bumping into him at the supermarket or showing up again with food in hand. Not lurking in the bushes like a peeping Tom.

I’d been here the last few days, and it was the first time he had noticed. As I stood there, caught off guard by his sudden presence, several emotions flooded through me. My initial reaction was to be impressed by my mate’s ninja-like ability to sneak up on me. And let’s be real. It might have also turned me on a bit… or maybe it was just being this close to him again. Either way, I couldn’t deny that he was quite impressive. Even with my enhanced senses, I hadn’t sensed him approaching.

“Passing through?” He repeated, raising a brow.

“I saw your light on, decided to, you know, check in,” I said.

“From the backyard, behind a tree?” His tone was perfectly bland and somehow that made me want to grin.

Like that won’t be creepy to the power of ten.

“Uh, would you believe it if I said I was the neighborhood watch?”

He gave a snort and scanned me from head to toe. “I did my due diligence before relocating here, and the crime rate is incredibly low. Plus, I don’t see any items that would be necessary for neighborhood watch.”

“And you know what those items are?” I figured he would since he was a former soldier and all, but right now I was enjoying the back and forth with my mate.

He simply gave me a pointed look that set cut the bullshit.

“I saw your lights on and got worried about Emilia keeping you up again,” I began, my voice sounding feeble even to my own ears. “But I didn’t want to ring the bell in the middle of the night and risk looking like a crazy person, so I watched from here. I swear I am not a stalker.”

Jaxson’s eyebrows shot up in disbelief, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. “You sure? Because you know all of that sounds crazy, right?” he remarked, his tone laced with humor.

“I know.” I groaned, praying he didn’t see how red I was. “I guess I just wanted to make sure you too were getting on okay, but I wasn’t sure how to?—”

“Use a doorbell?” he supplied helpfully.

I couldn’t help but chuckle at his response, feeling a wave of relief wash over me. “Yeah, I guess it sounds a little—” his brows went up, “Okay, a lot ridiculous,” I admitted sheepishly, rubbing the back of my neck. “I really was just looking out for you and Emilia.” Which was the truth: neither me nor my bear could stay away.

As we shared a laugh, I couldn’t shake the feeling of admiration for Jaxson. Despite my best efforts to keep a low profile, he’d still caught me off guard. And as I looked into his eyes, I couldn’t help but feel a surge of affection and admiration for the man who would soon own my heart.

The tension between us seemed to dissipate, and Jaxson gestured for me to follow him inside. And I, of course, happily obliged.

When we got to the front door, he stopped and pointed at the doorbell. “Next time, how about you just use this if you decide to check on us during your neighborhood watch?”

I groaned, “I’m never going to live this down, am I?”

He chuckled and opened the door. “Nah, probably not. It will be too much fun to see how red I can make you.”

All sorts of dirty thoughts took over as we entered his home. Jaxson gestured for me to follow him to the TV room. I memorized the view of his tight ass cheeks in those jeans as we silently walked toward my favorite room. One day that big sofa would be fun to play on.. He could hunt me like prey and tackle me on the sofa. And of course I’d give him what he wanted.

I snorted to myself, causing Jaxson to look over his shoulder at me with one brow raised. All I could do was grin as my face heated to three levels of hell red.

As soon as we sat down, the sound of Emilia’s cries came bursting from the pocket of his hoodie. It was almost as if she had timed it perfectly to coincide with her uncle’s return.

Jaxson sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly as he hung his head in resignation. “Looks like Emilia needs me again,” he muttered, a hint of exhaustion in his voice.

Feeling a pang of sympathy for my mate’s predicament, I stood and walked toward him. I reached into the pocket and removed the baby monitor. I looked up into his eyes, then placed my hands on his chest to unceremoniously push him down onto the sofa.. I wanted to straddle his lap and kiss the fuck out of him, but he might not be ready for that. So I’d settle for getting our daughter. Just the thought lit me up to five levels of hell. “You sit. I’m going to go get her. Seems like you’ve had a long day.”

Jaxson looked up, mouth agape. If he was mad at my bold display, he wasn’t hiding it well.

Propping my hand on my hip, I looked down at him with an expression infused with as much sincerity as I could muster. I decided I needed to touch him to drive the point home. So I leaned over and placed my hands on his knees to grab his attention. “I swear to you she’ll be safe with me. Even though the whole lurking in your garden thing probably doesn’t make me look the best, I swear I’ll bring her down here, right where you can keep an eye on us.”

I watched him stared back at me. His pupils were growing in size, which was a good sign.

“I swear I’m not some kind of stalker, even though that’s maybe what a stalker would say.”

A manic and exhausted chuckle escaped him, followed by a small nod of approval and a glimmer of gratitude in his tired eyes.

“If you’re sure.”

“Oh, baby. I would absolutely love to,” I replied sincerely. “In all honesty, I’ve really missed her.” I almost added “both of you,” but decided it was too soon for that.

He let out a sigh of relief and his voice softened as he replied, “That would be great, thank you. I appreciate it.”

With a reassuring smile, I reluctantly removed my hands from him and made my way up the stairs, two at a time, to Emilia’s room. As I scooped her up into my arms, her cries gradually subsided when she saw me, quickly replaced by the sound of her gentle cooing. Holding her close, I couldn’t help but feel a surge of protectiveness wash over me. It was too soon to feel all of this for them, right?

“Hello, my sweet darling. I’ve missed you,” I said, nuzzling her neck. Soft baby laughs and squeals came from her as I kissed her little neck.

“Let’s go see your tired Daddy. Girlfriend, we’re gonna have to talk about how you need to give him a little break once in a while. He’s a rookie and hasn’t even been to spring training yet.”

She giggled as I made my way out of the room, blowing little raspberries on the fold of the skin on her neck. Sweet baby smells flooded my nose, and I fell more in love with them by the minute.

My best friend Kian had suggested that I just walk up and ring the doorbell instead of skulking around like a criminal, but I had been too chicken to do it. Now I’m kind of glad I got caught in the bushes.

But I should have found the courage, because these two they were mine. I should have taken his advice and stopped by days ago, but I didn’t want to overstep. I wasn’t sure where all this boldness was coming from, but I kinda liked this new side of me.

I made my way down the stairs and walked into the TV room, where Jaxson was lying on the couch, knees spread wide in a relaxed position. He was fighting sleep, but smiled when he saw me enter the room with Emilia.

“A rookie, huh?” The smirk on his face lit me up like a damn Christmas tree with halogen lights.

“Yeah, well,” I stammered. “It’s the truth..”

His grin told me he wasn’t going to argue with me. He knew I was right.

“I’m going to grab her a pacifier from the kitchen.”

Jaxson blinked at me before I turned to escape his tractor beam of a gaze.

When I returned, Emilia was happily satisfied with her pacifier. He’d laid down, one spread knee still on the floor, the other tucked under his thigh. But it was obvious he was packing some heat, and I wasn’t talking about the gun. His muscled arm rested across his forehead, covering his eyes, his breathing even.

It was clear my man was utterly exhausted. I recalled his eyes were heavy with dark circles and his shoulders slumped in defeat. That twinge of guilt got even bigger for not checking on him the last few nights. I knew both he and Emilia were running on little to no sleep. And I hadn’t been able to sleep either. I’d experienced sleepless nights too, tossing and turning in my bed after spending an hour outside listening to them struggle.

I leaned in closer to Emilia, taking a deep breath and inhaling the familiar scent of a clean baby. “Let’s not wake up him up,” I whispered softly.

I carefully settled Emilia in the crook of my arm, her tiny hand curling around my finger. She was a precious little thing, so small and innocent, and as I watched her sleeping peacefully, my heart swelled with love for this child who was not mine but felt like family already. I couldn’t help but think about the future, about the possibility of having a family of my own with Jaxson. A family that included this beautiful baby girl.

Glancing over at him, I saw the lines of tension in his face ease as he rested on the couch. His chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm, a rare moment of peace amidst the chaos I’m sure his life had become.. I knew how much he cared for Emilia.

As I sat there, basking in the room’s warmth and these two people who were already in the process of stealing the rest of my heart, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this moment was significant.

Maybe it was wishful thinking on my end, but he was asleep, trusting me in his home with his child. He didn’t strike me as the guy that would do that lightly. Maybe he could feel the connection that was growing between us, the unspoken bond that seemed to tie us together in ways I couldn’t fully comprehend, no matter how many times the mate bond had been explained to me.

I watched Jaxson for a moment longer, his features softened in sleep, his guard down for once. The weight of his responsibilities seemed to have lifted momentarily, replaced by a sense of peace that settled over the room like a warm blanket.

Emilia stirred slightly in my arms, her eyelashes fluttering as she let out a soft sigh. I pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, feeling that overwhelming surge of protectiveness and love wash over me again. In that moment, I knew without a doubt that I would do anything to keep these two safe and happy.

As if sensing my thoughts, Emilia snuggled closer to me, her tiny hand reaching out to grasp at the fabric of my shirt. It was a simple gesture, but it sent a wave of emotion through me. Looking at Jaxson, I couldn’t wait for the future where moments like this were the norm, just a part of our everyday life. A family.

The word echoed in my mind, both terrifying and exhilarating in its possibilities.

Jaxson shifted on the couch, his eyes fluttering open as he stirred awake. He’d only been asleep about an hour. His gaze found mine, and for a moment, we simply looked at each other, a silent understanding passing between us.

“Thank you,” Jaxson murmured softly, his voice rough with sleep. “For taking care of her. And me. She seems to do well with you around.”

I met his gaze steadily, my heart brimming with unspoken words he definitely wasn’t ready to hear.

I nodded, a warm smile spreading across my face. “It’s my pleasure. Baby Whisperer,” I replied softly, careful not to disturb the tranquil atmosphere of the room. Emilia let out a contented sigh in her sleep, her tiny fingers still gripping onto my shirt as if seeking reassurance.

Jaxson sat up slowly, rubbing his eyes as he glanced at the clock on the wall. “I must have dozed off,” he muttered, running a hand through his tousled hair before looking back at me. “I really appreciate you looking after her. It means a lot.”

As he stood up and stretched, I couldn’t help but admire the way his muscles flexed beneath his t-shirt as it rode up under his hoodie. He tugged it over his head and took my breath away when his happy trail came into view. If I didn’t look away, I’d be sporting wood.

“I should probably get her back to bed and get out of you hair,” I suggested gently even if I didn’t want to go.

Jaxson nodded, gratitude clear in his tired eyes as he watched me carefully cradle Emilia. There was a vulnerability in his tired eyes that tugged at my heartstrings.. As I made my way back upstairs to her room, I tried to think about how to get myself invited over the next day. I wanted to spend as much time with these two as I could.

Placing Emilia back in her crib, I lingered for a moment, watching her sleep peacefully. My heart swelled with emotion at the unexpected gift that she was. I knew I would love my mate wholeheartedly, but Emilia had already had my heart.

Heading back downstairs, I found Jaxson in the living room, looking slightly more awake than before. His eyes met mine, and there was a softness in his gaze that hadn’t been there earlier.

“I owe you,” Jaxson began, his voice tinged with sincerity. “It seems like the only time I get any sleep is when you’re around. I’m grateful. I swear there are moments where I feel completely lost and unsure of my abilities, but having you around makes it all easier.”

I couldn’t help but feel a swell of warmth at his words, the gratitude in his tired eyes pulling at my heartstrings. “It’s no trouble at all, Jaxson. Trust me. I enjoy spending time with Emilia,” I replied, a small smile tugging at the corners of my lips. I didn’t add the and you part, even though I really wanted to.

Jaxson let out a chuckle, the sound rich and deep, filling the room with an unexpected lightness. “Well, you’re welcome here any time then,” he said, his tone more relaxed than I had ever heard it.

The invitation hung in the air between us, heavy with unspoken possibilities. My heart raced at the thought of being welcomed into their lives on a more permanent basis. Perhaps this was the opening I had been waiting for, a chance to show Jaxson how much I cared for both of them.

“I’d like that,” I replied softly, holding his gaze steadily. At that moment, there was a shift in the air. I could feel it, and I hoped to the Gods he could.

He broke our intense eye contact with a question. “Can I get you a drink?”

“Yes please,” I replied, “if you’re sure you don’t want to catch some more sleep.” I was willing to grasp anything that meant spending more time with him.

Jaxson stood up from his seat. “I’m awake now. I should take advantage of some adult conversation.”

I smiled as he crossed the room towards the small bar cart tucked in the corner. I watched as he poured us both a drink. He didn’t ask what I wanted, and I didn’t care what he gave me. It wasn’t about the drink. It was about being with him.

As he handed me my glass, our fingers brushed briefly, sending a jolt of electricity through me. Jaxson’s gaze lingered on mine, searching for something, perhaps reassurance or confirmation. I met his stare unwaveringly, my own emotions swirling beneath the surface.

We settled back into our seats, the comfortable intimacy of the room cocooning us in a warm embrace.

We were quiet for a moment, both of us staring at the TV that was muted.

“So, have you always lived here?” Jaxson’s voice had me turning to look at him.

I nodded. “Yes, except for my time at college in Philadelphia, I’ve always lived with my family. Do you think that’s weird?”

He tilted his head and shrugged. “Why would it matter? I was raised in Chicago, along with my sister. Even after our parents passed away, we stayed. We lived together actually… until recently, that is.”

His voice trailed off.

“I keep waiting for the day that I know without a doubt I made the right choice moving here,” he sighed, staring at the drink in his glass.

I wanted to tell him it was. He was right where he was meant to be, but maybe I just felt that way because he was my mate and it brought him to me.

Our gazes met and held and I could swear I saw a flicker of something more in Jaxson’s eyes. It felt like an acknowledgment of this thing between us.

A soft smile played on Jaxson’s lips, a mixture of gratitude and something deeper that sent a shiver down my spine. Without breaking eye contact, he placed his glass on the side table; the air crackling with tension.

“Rhys,” his voice was barely above a whisper, filled with unspoken words and emotions that hung heavy between us. “Really, thank you… for everything.” His hand reached out tentatively, as if seeking reassurance or maybe something more. Placing my own glass on the coffee table, I shifted to face him, our eyes locked on one another.

I didn’t hesitate as I closed the gap between us, my hand meeting his face in a tentative yet comforting sweep of my fingers. The touch sent another jolt of electricity through me, igniting a warmth in my chest that I couldn’t ignore.

“No need to thank me, Jaxson,” I breathed, the words barely a whisper as our eyes locked.

Jaxson lifted his hand to cover mine. He trembled just enough for me to notice, his gaze searching mine as if seeking permission. Without a word, I closed the distance between us, my heart pounding in my chest so loudly I was sure he could hear it. His breath mingled with mine and I gently brought my forehead to his. Our warm and steady, as we sat there in a suspended moment of anticipation.

And then, as if a dam had broken inside him, Jaxson brought his other hand to my face. Tilting my head to the side, he leaned in, his lips brushing against mine in a tentative yet achingly tender kiss. It was soft and hesitant at first, and I responded in kind, my other hand reaching up to cradle his jaw as our kiss deepened. A silent promise passed between us. In that moment, that connection took over. And we let go of our inhibitions.

As we broke apart, our eyes met. Jaxson’s hand found mine, fingers intertwining.

“Rhys,” Jaxson whispered, his voice filled with a raw vulnerability that tugged at my heart. “I… I didn’t expect this, but I can’t deny what I feel when I’m with you.”

“Me too,” I replied. “But I think we should take it slow, whatever this is.”

He nodded, “You’re right. We should get to know each other better.”

I smiled. “Yeah.” I wanted everything his eyes promised, but I also knew we couldn’t move forward until I told him the truth. Until he knew who I was… who Emilia could be.

Please let him take it well, I silently begged the gods. It had worked out for my brothers, so the odds were in my favor, right?

Or against you.

“I should go,” I said, even though the thought of leaving Jaxson felt like a physical ache in my chest. I pulled away and got to my feet, torn between the desire to stay and the need to reveal the secret that could end this before it even started.

Jaxson’s brows furrowed in confusion at my sudden decision to leave.

“I’ll call you,” I said before practically bolting out of there. “Get some sleep. You’re going to need it.”

A lascivious grin took over his face. “You too. See you tomorrow.”

Boy, would he ever.