"Don't have to tell me twice," Roan said, grabbing the car seat.
Seg continued to stare at Roan. He'd only been away from the man for a week, yet it felt like an eternity. He wasn't sure why he was this infatuated, but he was. He really was.
"Don't do anything I wouldn't do," Dare called out as they turned for the door.
Seg reached over and took the blanket from the car seat, tossing it over Liam, which made the little boy giggle. The temperatures in Texas weren't anything like up north, but it was chilly.
"Where to?" Seg asked when they reached Roan's truck.
He waited while Roan secured the car seat in the back seat. Once that was done, Seg situated Liam in it and watched while Roan fastened the buckles over him.
"Have you eaten yet?" Roan asked.
"No."
"I can cook dinner. If that's okay with you."
"It's more than okay with me." Seg had the overwhelming urge to kiss this man, right here in the open, but he managed to hold himself back. He was going to have to pay attention to stuff like that, because when it came to Roan, Seg lost all sense of decorum. It had never been an issue for him before.
"Follow me?"
Seg nodded, then touched Roan's hand briefly before turning toward his SUV.
SEEING SEG STANDING IN THE marina office, holding Liam in his arms …
Admittedly, Roan had never in his life felt the sort of emotions that had risen inside him the moment his brain processed what was going on. And to think, he'd spent so long running and hiding because he didn't want to burden anyone, when in reality the people in his life wanted to be there for him.
Of course, he thought about that often. Thought about how he'd pushed everyone away, making assumptions that shouldn't have been made. Yes, he'd been trying to protect his friends, not wanting them to endure the hell Roan had endured with Cassie. He also wondered whether or not things would be different if he'd been open about what was going on. Would Cassie still be alive? Would Seg be in his life?
As for Seg, it wasn't like Roan knew that would be the case though. It was merely a godsend, something Roan found himself giddy about.
Giddy.
Wow.
He knew for a fact he'd never used that word to describe himself or how he was feeling. Not ever. Yet he couldn't deny it now as he pulled into the driveway of his house, Seg's gleaming black SUV pulling in beside him.
Roan took a deep breath, then let it out slowly. He needed to chill. No way was he going to jump headfirst into something that might get him hurt. Or worse, get Liam hurt. The last thing Roan wanted was to get attached to someone who might not stick around. However, he refused to assume the worst. For the first time in what felt like forever-not counting Liam, of course-Roan had something to look forward to. Someone. He damn sure wasn't going to project his fears on their relationship.
"One day at a time," he mumbled to himself as he turned off the engine and climbed out of the truck.
Seg was instantly at the back passenger door, opening it for him. Roan released the car seat from the base and hefted Liam out of the truck. It didn't surprise him that the little boy had fallen asleep during the short drive home. He'd spent the better part of the day with Dare. That in itself would tire anyone out.
"Lemme get him changed, and I'll get dinner started," Roan told Seg as he headed toward Liam's bedroom.
"Or I could do one or the other for you," Seg suggested, closing the door behind him.
Roan stopped and turned, took several steps back, closing in on the sexy hockey player. He couldn't help himself. Roan reached for Seg's head, pulling him down for a quick kiss. Of course, quick didn't play into the equation once their lips touched. It felt right, being here with Seg and Liam.
"God, I missed you," Seg whispered, cupping Roan's head.
Roan's insides went haywire at those words. He already knew he was in serious trouble when it came to this man.
Knowing Liam couldn't take care of himself, Roan managed to pull away and headed right for Liam's room. He changed him quickly, which awakened the sleepy baby. Grinning like a fool, Roan lifted him into his arms. It was Liam's dinner time, as well, which meant he'd probably be back asleep in the next fifteen minutes. If Seg wanted to spend time with the baby, he would have to do so now.
When Roan returned to the kitchen, Seg was standing there, staring into the refrigerator. He turned and Roan held Liam out to him. The look on the man's face was pure adoration, and once again, Roan's heart did a flip in his chest.
"Hey, little guy," Seg said softly. "You up for some dinner, too?"
Roan got the bottle ready, then handed it over to Seg. While the two of them went into the living room, he got to work, pulling things out of the fridge.