His Wild Attraction: A Billionaire Romance Novel (Wild Billionaire Romance Book 4)

Chapter Twenty-Two Andres

“What?” she asked, her gorgeous eyes blinking up at me.

“Mommy! When is dinner?” Sammy called, his little feet making slapping noises on the hardwood floor.

“In a few minutes, Sweetie,” she called out, her gaze still locked on mine. “Andres, you don’t have to say things like that,” she said, her small hands touching my sides.

Fuck.

I loved having her hands on me.

“Yes, I do. Because it’s the truth. Now, listen to me, Gary is a piece of shit. He never deserved you. But I do, Angel. I will always treat you right. And if I don’t, just tell me, trust me, and I will turn it around. I fucking swear it.”

“I know. And I trust you.”

“Good. You also need to know you never have to apologize to me for anything.”

“Andres, that’s not?—”

“Yes, it is. And fuck him for making you feel bad for existing. That piece of shit,” I growled, having to close my eyes to control my temper.

Her mouth opened, and I knew she needed to hear this as much as I needed to say it.

“Listen to me, Ellie Ramirez, the fact that you”re alive and you’re human, that you’re you, that’s why I was fucking born. No, don’t look away, look at me,” I said, cupping one hand behind her neck.

“I-I,” she stuttered, and I knew what she meant cause I fucking felt it, too.

She might not be ready for this.

I might be moving too fast.

But I need her to know.

“You”re not responsible for his failures, or for mine. You never were, and you never will be. I made a vow to you, Ellie, my wife, and I will do better. I fucking promise. You believe me?”

“Andres, you don’t have to do better,” she said, shaking her head.

This woman.

This beautiful, warm, vibrant, powerful woman.

She holds the key to my heart in her small, capable hands, and she doesn’t even know it.

This woman, my Ellie, is everything.

“Nonnegotiable. I’ll do better. I’ll be better because it’s what you deserve,” I said, my gaze unwavering as I stared into her gold-flecked irises.

“You’ve done so much. Everything you promised. You don’t have to do anything else,” she said, but I shook my head.

“I’m not even close to finished,” I growled, dropping a hard kiss on her mouth.

“Mommy! I’m hungry! HUNGRYYYYY!” Sammy called again, and I pulled back just as he ran into the kitchen, roaring like a pint-sized monster.

My grin was real as I watched him close his mouth then slow down when he saw us. Careful to keep still, allowing him to see my arms around his mother in a gentle hug.

It was important he understood I would never hurt her. Sammy needed security and routine.

I’d been reading about childcare and how abusive situations could have lasting effects on a child’s psyche.

It filled me with murderous rage when I thought of any harm that prick Gary’s actions could have on Sammy’s precious little head.

Biting back on my thirst for revenge, I focused on what I could do to make it better.

No, I could not erase the past, but I could make sure he had a good future.

That we all had a good future.

And that started right here, with Ellie in my arms and ourson running inside the kitchen, seeing us hugging, asking about dinner because he had no other cares in the world.

Sammy needed to know that love and affection could exist between two consenting adults. That his mother was in good hands, and so was he.

As our son, he would always know he was safe.

That boy is so safe with me. So is his mom.

“It’s almost ready, Sweet Boy. How about we play a game until Mommy calls us?” I said, not taking my eyes off Ellie.

“Okay,” Sammy agreed.

But he was still watching, so I leaned down to give his mother a small peck on the mouth. The shy smile she gave me in return was so worth it.

And when I picked up Sammy so he could kiss his mom, too, well, Ellie full on giggled.

Fucking adorable.

“You two cuties need to get out of my kitchen so I can concentrate, or we’ll never eat,” she teased, ruffling Sammy’s hair.

“Cuties?” I said, frowning, unable to help myself.

“You know you’re cute. Now shoo,” Ellie said, rolling her eyes.

“Uh oh. We better get out of here, Sammy, so Mommy can finish cooking.”

“Yeah! Let’s get out of here, Dad!” Sammy giggled as I placed him back on the floor.

He ran inside the other room squealing, unaware of the effect his words had on me. My heart stuttered, and I faltered a step.

My gaze flashed back to Ellie’s, and I saw her swallow. Her skin was white as loose leaf.

“Oh, um, Sammy heard Michaela talk about Adrik and she called him Daddy. Then he asked what he should call you. H-his father was never really a part of things, but he, Gary that is, insisted Sammy call him Papa. I thought maybe if it was okay with you, Sammy could call you Dad?” she asked, biting her lower lip.

I cleared my throat, inhaling a sharp breath.

Fuck. Was it hot in there?

I nodded my head like one of those stupid bobble head dolls. Trying to force the moisture in my eyes to go back inside my head.

“Yeah. That’s okay,” I replied, ignoring the husky quality my voice took on.

Dad.

That little boy wanted to call me Dad.

Pride, the likes of which I never felt, filled me, and before I could do or say anything else, I crossed the couple of steps separating me from Ellie, and I pulled my wife to me with one hand on her neck.

Then I crushed her mouth beneath mine.

I didn’t trust myself to touch her with any part of me other than on her lips and where my one hand gripped the back of her neck.

“Andres,” she whimpered.

“Thank you. Thank you so fucking much,” I told her.

“Come play, Dad!” Sammy called out from the other room.

“I better go see what my son wants to play,” I whispered back.

Ellie nodded, and I had to admit, I may have strutted a bit as I walked inside the living room and play-tackled my sweet little boy.

My son. He’s mine now, too.

Nothing could have prepared me for the wave of emotions that had crashed into me when Sammy had called me Dad.

It was an honor. One I’d never expected.

Goddamn.

I loved that woman. I loved her boy.

They were part of me now. Ellie and Sammy were mine. I had them in my home and in my heart.

Mine on paper.

And in person.

I had a family.

A wife and son I adored.

I would do anything to keep them safe and secure. Anything to make them happy.

And I will never let them go.