Justice Falling (Falling #3)(46)

“Nate, don’t push it…” she warned.

“I make no promises.” I grinned. She rolled her eyes and pushed off me. She went back into work, and I watched her through the glass. Her yellow blouse moved with her body like a flag blowing delicately in the wind.

She settled at her desk, and then looked up at me through the glass. Her smile stretched wide and the apples of her cheeks pinked prettily. I waved and entered the elevator. Our gazes held until the very last moment when the doors closed. Bliss. She was my bliss, and I couldn’t wait to take her and her son out for the day.

If only I knew where I was going to take them. I’d call Mum. She’d have some ideas. Maybe I could get a call in before Collier’s news broke.

That was not going to be fun. At least it would take the heat off me and my love life. Poor bastard. When Eleanor Walker got wind that her son eloped, she’d be more than angry. None of us would be safe. She’d likely get on a plane just to smack some sense into the bloke. When it came to her babies, you did not mess with Eleanor Walker. Collier was going to be in a world of hurt. I snickered.

“Better him than me.”





Chapter 12





“Mommy, why isn’t he here yet?” Tanner looked through the blinds of our second story apartment.

“He’ll be here soon, honey. Relax.” I mentally did a check list. One change of clothes. An extra shirt, because you never know when he was going to spill an entire drink or fall in the mud. Food and toys...

“I’m gonna die if I don’t find out where we’re going.” He slumped away from the window and into the thick cushions of our couch. “Do you think he’ll like me?”

I stopped pulling things together. Snacks, sunblock, the extra clothes for Tanner and me for tomorrow just in case. I set the Capri Sun Roaring Waters pouch in my hand down and watched my son worry his lip. His little fingers twisted together and his brow was knitted in concentration.

“Baby, what’s wrong?” I sat down next to him and pulled my guy into my lap. “Tell Mommy.”

Tanner rubbed his face into my chest and clung to my arms. “What if he doesn’t like me?”

“Why wouldn’t he like you?” I asked, surprised. Tanner had always been confident and outspoken. What was it about Nate that had him acting so strange?

He shrugged. “Maybe if he likes me he could do big boy stuff with me. You know, play baseball and stuff.”

In moments like these I wanted to murder Tyler Thornton for leaving my son a fatherless boy. Every boy deserved to have their parents. Both of them. Like me, Tanner wished he had a complete family. My biggest worry about raising him alone was knowing he’d need a man in his life.

I didn’t want to get my hopes up about Nate. He’d seemed okay with Tanner and was making an effort to get to know him. That could change in a moment. He may not want to be tied down by a child…and they tie you down. As in boat to a dock, anchor to the ocean floor. It’s their world and you live in it kind of tied down.

Three hard raps came at the door and Tanner’s face lit up like he’d been handed a huge ice-cream sundae. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath and said a silent prayer that today went well, that the man I adored would have space in his life and heart for my son.

“Hey there, sport.” Nate entered, laid a large palm on Tanner’s small head and shuffled his hair. I needed to take him to get it cut. It was a bit shaggier than usual.

Tanner beamed at the bit of affection Nate bestowed.

I scoped out my boyfriend from head to toe. Nate was the epitome of male perfection. He wore a long sleeved Henley-style shirt in dark grey. It looked soft and well worn, something I’d love to snuggle into when I laid my head on his chest. The Henley sculpted perfectly to the incredible body I knew lay hidden beneath. His shirt went well with the dark designer jeans and trendy brown suede shoes. His slicked back hair was still wet from the shower.

Nate was doing his own perusal. “Like what you see?” I attempted to be coy.

“More than I should right now.” He nodded down to Tanner, and a sexy grin stole across his face.

“I’m so ‘cited, Mr. Nate. Where are we gonna go?” Tanner hopped from one foot to the other. He looked adorable in his blue overalls, yellow striped shirt and red hooded sweatshirt. Slung over his shoulders was a little backpack with black and white checkers mimicking a race flag with a couple of red and blue racecars on the pockets.

Nate leaned down to eye level with Tanner. “I have a full day of fun planned, but first, I’ve got something for you.” Tanner’s eyes widened. Nate pulled a shiny gold circle from his pocket. Next time I see you I’ll have a shiny gold coin for you he had said. He followed through. It was official. Nate was perfect.

“Oh my gosh! A gold coin. I’m rich!”

Nate chuckled and held up the coin. “It’s not just any gold coin. It’s a chocolate coin!”

Tanner’s mouth opened as wide as his eyes. “I can eat it too?”

“If you want to. Sure. And, just in case you want to, sport, I’ve got a few more. You can share with your best mate. Zach, is it?” Nate looked at me for verification and I nodded.

My son jumped up and down holding his loot. “Where we going today, huh, Mr. Nate?”

“I thought we’d start with the Brooklyn Children’s Museum.”