Tame the Beast : Small Beach Town, Single Mom Romance

“Yes.” I smile, and he settles his head right over my shoulder, watching her with adoration as if she’s really his. As if she’s his whole world just like that too. As if he will love and protect her until his last breath while gently drawing his fingers over her back.

More tears stream down my face because there’s nothing, nothing, I wouldn’t do to have this. For this to be real and not a dream that’s about to end as soon as I tell him the truth and he runs for the hills. Thanking his lucky starts it was all a misunderstanding.

“Dad, do you want to cut the cord?”

Matteo gulps, nods and with tears in both of our eyes makes the cut.

Mine are from happiness mixed with longlining like I’ve never known before.

His?

I’m not sure.

14

Matteo

“I did not give you the gift of life. Life gave me the gift of you.” – Unknown

God, she’s so tiny. How is it possible for her to be so small? What if something happens to her? How is she supposed to survive in this vile world all alone?

No, she’ll never be alone. Time for a career change I guess, because I ain’t gonna leave her side. Like ever.

Maybe I can set up the bar at the cottage? To-go bar? Yeah, that’s what I’m gonna do.

While I was lost in my planning, Zoe took off her shirt, her gorgeous full breasts spilling free and as my mouth watered my little girl got busy latching onto her nipple.

How normal is it to be jealous of your own child?

Yeah, thought so…get a grip, Matteo! But there is no gripping what I’m feeling right now. There is no containing the explosive, confusing emotions coursing through me.

There is everything in there, but the most prominent one is longing. A sense of rightness. Of being at the right place at the right time. And an attraction to Zoe that goes way past simple, trivial lust. Sharing this experience with her…it was…it was everything I never knew I wanted. And now I’m afraid there is no going back.

But is it really fear I’m feeling?

Because it feels awfully a lot like excitement and…love?

I’m not sure how much time passes as I just lay over Zoe’s shoulder, watching our daughter munching on her breast happily as I stroke her soft skin when the nurse comes back and takes her away from Zoe’s chest. A feeling that has my heart squeezing painfully sets in. Panic. I’m panicking.

“Matteo?” Zoe’s arm lands on mine. “Are you okay?”

“Why are they taking her away?” I ask without moving my eyes from the tiny bundle.

“They need to clean and weigh her.”

At that moment she starts wailing loudly and I tense up.

“Are they hurting her?”

“No, no. This is normal.”

“But they will give her back, right?”

“Yeah.” I can hear the smile in Zoe’s voice. “They will.”

“I’ll just go stand over there.” I point to my baby and march up to the table thing they have her at. “Beastie, just look at her!” I exclaim, gazing at the tiny bundle. “Have you ever seen a prettier baby? What am I saying? Of course you haven’t. No one is as perfect as my Mellie,” I tell the nurse who smiles at me.

“Did you just name my daughter?” Zoe’s question sounds from behind me. I look over my shoulder, shooting her what is considered my signature smile and nod. “Sure did.”