“Robbie, I am your dad. It’s okay with me. It’s more than okay.”
Robbie sat up and wrapped his slender arms around Beau’s neck again. “Thank you,” he whispered.
“You don’t have anything to thank me for,” Beau said gruffly. Seeing Robbie wrapped in Beau’s arms was something that I’d never take for granted. It was a hard earned victory for both of them.
“Uh huh.” Robbie leaned back. “You didn’t have to take me. I could still be in that group home.”
“No way.” Robbie settled back into his pillow and Beau tucked the blanket around him, a big yawn taking over his body. “Time for bed, buddy. We’ll have more time tomorrow to talk and play.”
Beau stood up, and I followed.
“Dad?” Robbie’s small voice saying that simple name had us both turning back to face him. “Is . . . April going to be my mom?”
I could see panic written all over his face at Robbie’s question. I put my hand on his arm. “Robbie, I would like that very much, but I never want to replace your mom.”
“My mom died,” Robbie said. “She didn’t love me enough to stay.”
I crouched down next to his bed. “That’s not true, Robbie. She was sick.”
“The drugs made her sick?”
I nodded. “Yes.”
“She’d be happy I was with my daddy now. And you, April. You love B—Dad, right?”
I glanced over my shoulder at Beau, still frozen in place from Robbie’s question. “Yes, Robbie. I love him. He’s the greatest man I’ve ever known.”
He nodded, accepting my answer. “He loves you, too. We’ll be a family now.” Robbie rolled on his side like it was that simple. Well, I guessed it could be. “Good night.”
“Good night, Robbie.” I leaned down and kissed his temple, watching as Beau came back and ruffled his hair, and we made our way out of the room.
I shut the door softly behind us, turning to see Beau resting his head against the wall, his chest heaving like he’d just run a marathon.
“Beau.” I placed my hands on his firm chest. “What’s going through your head? Talk to me.” It was dark in the hallway, and I could barely make him out, but I knew enough to know he was battling with something.
He reached his hand out and pulled me flush to him. He bent down and buried his face in my neck and wrapped his arms around me. I began running my fingers through his hair, sighing as my body relaxed against his. God, I’d missed him. I wasn’t sure if I would ever have this again.
His body shuddered, and that’s when I felt it. Tears dripped down my neck and chest. They were coming from Beau. His hands gripped the back of my shirt as he let go. I couldn’t stop my flow of tears from joining his. We were silent, both of us clutching on to the other in the darkness of my hallway, but no words were needed.
“April,” he said finally, his voice barely a croak. He sniffled, lifting his face from my neck. He was baring himself to me; every single part of him was wide opened and exposed right now.
“Beau.” I lifted my hands until I was using my thumbs to wipe the tears from under his eyes.
He shook his head like he was trying to rid himself of whatever he was thinking. He kissed me, his lips soft and gentle against mine. “Thank you,” he said against my lips. “For everything. For not being afraid of me. For loving me. For wanting to be part of our life. I . . . I have a son.”
“Yes you do, and he’s amazing, just like his father.”
He studied me for a second before grabbing my hand and leading me wordlessly down the hall to my bedroom.
Beau closed the door silently behind us. I heard the click of the lock and smiled. It had been what I was wishing for but was afraid to hope for too much. He’d been through a lot, and I wasn’t sure if he was up for anything more.
My room was dark, but he found me easily, coming up behind me and pulling my hair off of my neck. When his lips touched the skin of my neck, my knees buckled and a small moan escaped my lips. The combination of his soft beard and warm lips made my eyes roll in my head.
Beau wrapped his arm around my waist as I sagged against him. His lips kissed up and down my neck and ear, his breathing erratic as he became aroused, pressing himself into me as he continued to kiss me.
“Beau.” I reached my arms behind me so I could touch his face.
He turned me so I was facing him, shifting my hair on the other side so he could suckle the other side of my neck. Goose bumps broke out on my skin as he simultaneously set me on fire and gave me the chills. My fingers traveled down his chest and lifted his shirt. He broke away for a second as I pulled it over his head. Feeling his bare skin against my fingertips had me throwing my head back farther. He took that opportunity to travel down my chest, his mouth leaving marks on my shirt as he kissed and bit through my clothes.