Filed To Story: Secret Shifters Next Door Series PDF Free
“I’m in the same boat. I never dreamed I’d be pregnant again, much less with a—no offense—complete stranger’s baby.”
Tate nodded in agreement. “No offense taken. How about this? We take the next few months to, sort of, hang out. See if we’re compatible? I don’t really like the idea of my kid growing up in separate homes, getting shuffled around on weekends and holidays, but if things between us aren’t what we want, that could work. I’d really like things to work out, though, or at least try to see if they could work out.”
His proposal hit me hard and fast, and I leaned back, stunned and shocked. Tate had basically just said he wanted to spend the next few months seeing if we could be an item. Like, a live-together, raise-a-kid-together, have-a-home-together couple. There was nothing wrong with that idea. He was gorgeous, kind, smart, and really seemed to want what was best for my girls and me. The only problem was that if things didn’t work out, there was a chance my heart might get shattered into a thousand pieces.
“I guess we can see how things go,” I said after a moment’s hesitation.
Tate grinned. “Sounds great. I’ve got to go. There’s some work stuff I need to take care of. Call me if you need anything.”
“I don’t think I’ll need anything. I wouldn’t want to burden you or anything.”
He rolled his eyes. “Harley, you’ll have to get used to the idea that I’m going to be around more often if we want this to actually work.”
“Right.” I closed my eyes, embarrassed as hell. “Sorry, you’re right. It’s just a ton of stuff to get used to and deal with.”
“I get it. It is a lot. I’ll go at your pace, but I warn you, I’ve never been a patient man,” he said with a wink.
Tate stood to leave, then leaned down to kiss me goodbye. Warmth shot down my neck to my chest and stomach when his
lips touched mine. I didn’t pull away, instead I opened my lips and flicked my tongue out, exploring his lips. The kiss deepened, becoming more urgent and passionate. For a second, I thought I heard Tate growl.
When he finally pulled away, his eyes seemed to burn with hunger. The warmth I felt as he kissed me changed. That look was like nothing I’d ever seen in anyone’s eyes before, and the warmth seeped down from my stomach to between my legs.
“I’ll see you later,” Tate whispered, then turned and left without looking back.
My body felt scorched once he was gone, seared by that look he’d given me. It sounded bad, but it wasn’t. It was pleasurable. Something I thought I might like to experience again. I blushed thinking about it and talked myself out of taking a cold shower.
When the girls got home later on, I was inundated by Jordyn’s stories about all her new teachers, the new friends she’d made, the way the school was laid out, even the options for sides they had at lunch. It was a lot, even for Jordyn. Her excitement was palpable. Mariah looked at me at one point and rolled her eyes, which told me she’d probably already heard all this on the bus.
Finally, Jordyn smiled mischievously and glanced at Mariah. “Mariah needs to tell you about the boy.”
Frowning, I glanced at Mariah, who was turning red. I looked back at Jordyn. “What boy?”
“There was a cute guy waiting out at the bus stop for her.”
Mariah sighed. “Stop making a big deal out of it, Jordyn. Kayden just wanted to give me back the binder I forgot in fourth period. He was just being nice.”
“He’s super cute, like a full-on heartthrob.” Jordyn batted her eyelashes at Mariah. “Oh, Kayden, thank you
so much for my binder. Maybe I can say thank you with a big wet kiss.”
Mariah pulled a chunk off the banana she was eating and threw it at Jordyn. The white flesh of the fruit struck her right above the eye and splattered across her face. All three of us burst out laughing, Jordyn was nearly crying by the time she was able to stop laughing and catch her breath.
“Okay, that’s it, watch your back. I’ll get you for that one,” Jordyn said, grabbing a paper towel to wipe her face.
I wiped the tears of laughter away from my eyes as my mind went back to the idea of boys. Of the two girls, I knew Jordyn was the one who would end up being the most boy crazy. It showed. Mariah and Jordyn were both gorgeous, and I’d be crazy to think they hadn’t already caught the eyes of boys at school.
After wiping off her face, Jordyn said, “Okay, I’m going to go add a bunch of my new friends on social media. Bye.”
She ran upstairs, and I glanced at Mariah. She was finishing what was left of her banana. “So, Kayden?”
“Oh my gosh, Mom,” she said with a laugh.
“I’m just asking. Sounds like he’s got his eye on you.”
“Good Lord. Okay, sure, he’s cute… well, really cute, I guess. He really was only returning my binder, though.”
“Okay, I’ll leave it alone,” I said with a smile.
Mariah’s face changed. It was like she’d instantly thought of something. Her brow furrowed, and she chewed at her lower lip. She glanced at the stairs, almost like she was looking to see if Jordyn was coming back. It was a strange shift.
Before I could ask what was wrong, she said, “Um, is Tate the father of the baby?”
It was like I’d been standing on the beach, enjoying the warm sun, relaxing and happy, and then a massive freezing wave had slammed into me. Tumbling under the water, barely able to breathe, cold and shocked. My eyes widened in surprise.
After a few seconds, trying to collect myself, I stammered, “What… what are you talking about, Mariah?”
“Mom, I heard it last night. When they were putting the security system in, he asked if you were carrying his baby.” She sighed and shrugged. “I heard it. I just wanted to know if it was true.”