“I’m sorry. I wasn’t even thinking when I reached over and got him out.”
He stood there. Not uttering a word. I’d started to make my way to him, to hand him his son, when Stella stepped in front of me.
“He always falls asleep in the car. When he was little, Brock used to have to drive him around to get him to even go to sleep.” She faced Brock. “Is he in your room or ours?”
“He mentioned wanting to stay in your room.”
Stella turned back to me. “He knows he’d probably be in there anyway. The nights can get long for a five-year-old.”
I nodded, still not sure what to do with the sleeping boy in my arms.
With one last look at his son, Brock turned and headed into the hotel, following Ty, Kaylee, and their father.
“Stella,” I asked. “Did I do something wrong, taking him out of the truck? Brock was looking at me like I had.”
Her soft smile made me relax some. “No, honey. I think it’s because it’s always been Brock and Blayze and, of course, us. He’s never had a mama, and I can see by the way my son looks at you that he wants you in his life in a more meaningful way.”
She winked, and I blushed.
“Well, we haven’t really known each other for very long.”
She waved me off and then covered Blayze’s ears. “I met Ty Senior on a Wednesday at a church youth group meeting. We went on our first date the following Friday night after the football game, and by Sunday, I had given him my virginity and known he was the man I was going to marry. Some folks don’t believe in love at first sight, but I do. And, like I said, my son looks at you like I’ve never seen him look at another woman. Not even Kaci.” Her head nodded down to Blayze. “Don’t think so much, Lincoln, honey. Live life and have fun.”
I grinned. “Would you mind if we grabbed something to drink later? I have something I need to talk to you about.”
Stella beamed with the thought that she might be able to talk girl talk with me. “Heck yes. Let’s get settled into the room, and then we’ll head to the bar and get us something to drink before dinner. You ask me anything you need to know about falling for a man like my Brock.”
And with that, she turned and walked into the hotel.
I stood there, holding on to a sleeping five-year-old boy and wondering how in the hell his grandmother had been able to just read my mind.
Kaylee poked her head out the hotel door. “You coming in or what?”
After walking into the hotel, I realized that this little boy was heavy. I made my way over to the couch and sat down. Blayze held on to my neck tighter, and I found myself falling even more for him, just like I was falling for his daddy, who was currently checking in.
My eyes swept over his body.
I stared at the black cowboy hat. Yummy.
Moving my gaze down, I took in the long-sleeved blue ranch-style shirt he had on. It fit him perfectly and showed off his broad chest. I’d always thought bull riders were on the smaller side, but Brock had muscles. Not like a bodybuilder, but he was built in all the right places. Chiseled was how Kaylee would describe him. I’d gotten a feel of those muscles when I’d danced with him.
My eyes landed on that perfect ass nestled in those Wranglers. His jeans didn’t fit him loose; they were snug on those thighs.
Is it getting hot in here?
A little farther down, and there was the cherry on the cake. The cowboy boots.
I’d always been a sucker for a cowboy, and being from Georgia, we had our fair share. But none of them were like Brock Shaw. None of them had made my insides quiver and my lower stomach pulse with desire. None of them had made me want something more, like I did with Brock.
Kaylee turned to head my way. When she stopped in front of me, I glanced up at her.
“Have you no shame, Lincoln Pratt?”
“Huh?” I asked, confused.
“You’re holding the man’s son and looking at him like you want to strip him right here and take him.”
“He’d probably like that,” Ty said, making Kaylee jump and me giggle, my cheeks heating.
“He’s heavy, ain’t he?” Ty asked.
“Yes, he his. But he’s sleeping so soundly. I don’t have the heart to wake him up.”
About that time, Brock walked over with his room key in hand. He stood in front of me and grinned. I guessed the initial shock of me taking his son out of the truck had worn off.
“Let’s bring him up to my room for a bit,” Brock said, lightly pushing the hair back from his son’s forehead. The sweet gesture touched me and made me sigh internally.