26. Dillan
26
DILLAN
I t’s insane how everything can flip on its head in just a few weeks.
One minute, I’m assisting Lizzie in delivering her baby, and the next, I discover the child is mine. While the initial shock wore off fairly quickly, it doesn’t alter the reality that everything has changed. I notice a shift in my priorities. Slipping into the role of “Father” is undeniably challenging, and truth be told, I’m not entirely prepared for it. Then again, most men aren’t.
Sure, I know the logistics of caring for a newborn, but beyond that, I’m clueless about where to even begin.
I learn as we go, and after a while, the three of us settle into a steady routine—and, finally, Lizzie gets her phone turned back on. Juggling work, fatherhood, and a relationship is no walk in the park. I understand that for things to work out with my new family, changes are unavoidable.
I drop subtle hints about Lizzie and Isaac moving in with me, but she seems to miss the cues every time. She insists that the help Pippa and Mrs. Loughty give her is invaluable. I have a number of trips and medical seminars lined up, but with the unexpected arrival of our little one, I’m doing my best to shuffle things around. Cancelling some of my engagements isn’t too much of a hassle, but there are a couple that I’m tied to. I have pressing matters awaiting me in Tennessee, and while I would love Lizzie to accompany me, I understand that traveling with a newborn can be challenging. Once the traveling is behind me, I know I won’t need to worry about another trip for a few months and can fully concentrate on matters at home.
Assigning any new patients to my colleagues helps alleviate some of the workload. It has been something I have wanted to do since we became fully staffed, so Isaac’s arrival is the perfect excuse to move forward. The clinic runs like clockwork, and I have the utmost confidence in their abilities to handle things. For a short while, I only see patients who are close to delivering, but once they have, I take much-needed time off to be with my family. There are occasional emergencies that I have to fill in for, but for the most part, I’m there whenever Isaac and Lizzie need me during the day.
The second Lizzie can return to work, she does. I had hoped she would take more time to recover, but she’s determined to move forward now that she’s rented the studio, and it’s in the process of being renovated.
She waitresses mostly nights, so she drops Isaac off at my place for the evening before heading to work.
I once asked her where exactly she works, but she keeps it incredibly vague.
My assumption is that it’s probably a run-down place she feels hesitant to share with me. I don’t want to push her. Sooner or later, she’ll open up to me, or perhaps she’ll simply quit the waitressing job once her studio renovation is finished.
Despite the challenges of adjusting, witnessing Isaac’s growth and transformation week by week brings me immense joy. His once-gray eyes gradually shift to the same shade of blue as mine, while his facial features become more defined. He’s undeniably curious, his wide eyes constantly exploring his surroundings, taking in everything within his sight.
Balancing baby duties, work, and not living together leaves Lizzie and me with scarce alone time. The moments we do manage are often spent catching up on the day’s events or succumbing to exhaustion.
Lizzie wants to take things slow, anyway, so I don’t mind. However, it’s still a challenge.
After desiring her for so long, the proximity is both a tease and a torment. Having her within arm’s reach, yet unable to fully embrace our alone time, is driving me more than a little insane. Granted, we fool around plenty. Actually, the second our son is asleep, we can’t keep our hands off of each other.
Still, I eagerly anticipate the day she’s fully healed.
Motherhood agrees with her, and she looks more beautiful than she ever has. The pregnancy only enhanced the curves I adore, and every time I see her with Isaac, I want to kiss her until neither of us can breathe.
In short, the countdown is on, and I’ve got my eyes on the prize: the imminent return of full-naughty mode.
M y alarm goes off, and I reach over to swipe at my phone screen. Lizzie will be over with Isaac in a few minutes, and I’ve taken the opportunity to try to catch up on some sleep.
There’s a knock at the door, so I force myself to roll out of bed, barefoot, bare-chested, just in my jeans.
I was hoping to catch a shower before they arrived, but it seems Lizzie is early.
“Hey, sweetness.” When I let her in, she gives me an apologetic smile. I don’t miss how her gaze roams my naked chest, clearly relishing the view.
“I’m so sorry.” She kisses my lips. “I know I said I’d be here at three, but one of the girls called out, and Marlene asked me to come in early.” She pushes past me before I can say anything and drops Isaac’s car seat and diaper bag on the couch. “I texted you, but you didn’t respond.”
“I was sleeping,” I say through a yawn, running a hand through my disheveled hair. I shuffle over to her and wrap my arms around her waist. “Come here, you.”
I pull her into a hug, and she chuckles, returning the embrace. As soon as I press her closer against my body, my dick stirs. I can’t help myself. Her scent envelops me, and I run my hands up and down her ass before sliding them under her blouse and across her bare stomach, up to her perfectly plump breasts.
“Holy crap,” she mutters into my ear. “Dillan…”
“You feel fucking fantastic, baby.”
Her nipples instantly harden with excitement, pebbling against my palms, and she whimpers in delight. I brush over them with my thumbs, barely touching them, just enough to feel them grow even harder.
Her breath catches when she tries to reply. “I can’t stay…I gotta get to work.”
“Lizzie, baby, no. You’re overdoing it,” I rumble in that voice she likes, continuing to tease her puckered nipples. “You’re working too much.”
“I can handle it…Dillan,” she says with a ragged intake of breath. I feel the subtle shiver that runs through her, and her knees buckle slightly under the tender touch. She almost purrs when I tug slightly. Her voice, hoarse and filled with longing, whispers, “Stop…I’ve got no time to change, and I sure as hell don’t need soaked panties during my shift.”
A smirk plays on my lips against her cheek, amused that she’s staying put. I roll her nipples between my fingers, alternating between caressing and squeezing them. When I tug hard, she arches up into me, sweet sounds filling the room. I already see myself licking her clit. Slowly. Torturously slowly. “That’s a clear sign you should take time for yourself if you ask me.”
“ Yes .” Her breath is heavy, then she shakes her head. “I mean…not today. Sorry, babe.”
I pull away from our embrace, my cock protesting—to fix her with a stern expression. “Lizzie…”
“I know, Dillan. I know.” With a heavy sigh, she steps back and smooths the blouse of her waitress uniform down. “And trust me, normally I would whole-heartedly agree with you. And even though I’ve got my studio now, whatever savings I had went toward fixing it so it’ll be ready for opening. Until it actually starts making money, I can’t slow down. I’ve got two rents to pay, and now with Isaac…”
She glances into the mirror next to us and adjusts her top, two beautiful nipples peeking out through the fabric . Sweet Jesus.
“You know I have whatever Isaac needs handled,” I argue, willing my blood to stop rushing south. “All you have to do is say the word and I’ll?—”
Gently, she places a hand on my chest to stop me. “You’re an amazing help. The automatic shipment of diapers, wipes, and formula you set up has been a godsend. Thank you so much for taking one thing off my very full plate.”
“I would like to take more, if you’d let me.”
“I know. And if I think of anything, I’ll let you know.”
It’s hard to not let my mind wander, but I manage.
I cup her face with both hands and kiss her, long and slow, savoring the feeling. Lizzie melts against me. I feel her tongue slide into my mouth, her hips pressing against my erection, but before I can really kick up the heat, Isaac starts to whimper.
Turns out, my son is the perfect cock-block, and I love him with all my heart.
Reluctantly, we draw away, and I retrieve our son from his car seat. Lizzie checks her phone for the time and bites her lip. “Shit, I’ve got to run if I’m going to get to work on time,” she says. “I’ll miss you.”
I bounce Isaac to calm him. “I’ll miss you too, baby.”
“Oh… And just so you know…” Lizzie gives me a smirk, and her eyes grow mischievous. “…the doctor says I’m fully healed.”
Holy shit.
Best fucking news.
I’ve been dying to hear those words.
My cock has been dying to hear those words.
“Please tell me that means what I think it means.” I have to make sure.
“You know it does.” She winks, tugging the lobe of my ear with her teeth.
I know it does.
Ladies and gentlemen, we’re back in business.
Without a hitch, thoughts of me stepping behind her and pushing her against the mirror crash into my mind. Seamlessly, I picture myself running my hands up her thighs and slipping my fingers between her legs to feel the dampness there, waiting for my touch. I visualize unzipping my jeans and pushing aside her panties or—better yet—ripping them straight off her. I catch myself slowly entering her, invading her, stretching her with my cock, almost to the point of pain. And, just for kicks, I imagine taking her from behind, while she meets my eyes in the mirror, one of her hands resting over mine between her legs as I brush my finger over her clit, the other laced with my fingers on the mirror, leaving their mark as her hot breath leaves steam and?—
I stop myself.
With the kiddo cradled in one arm, I loop the other around her waist and pull her in close. “Guess what?”
“What?”
“I know exactly where you’ll be spending your night tonight,” I rumble into her ear, tipping my chin toward my bedroom. “I cannot wait .”
“Mmm, you and me both. But right now, I’ve got to run.”
She gives me a short kiss—while also brushing my cock with her palm for the shortest second ever— fuck, woman —then bolts out the door a second later. She’s such a God damn tease. I love that woman.
“Your mother doesn’t stop for a second, Isaac.” I remove his hat and coat. “How are you doing, little man?”
He seems happy to be out of his car seat and gives me a wide, toothless smile. He hasn’t quite started laughing yet, but he breathes excitedly and kicks his feet every time I do something he enjoys. Smiling back, I place him in his playpen to wiggle around freely.
A fter checking the time, I head to the kitchen. I’m just about to make myself something to eat when the door opens, and Gavin strolls in.
“Heyo! Dill, snag your bike, we’re hitting the road! Oliver, Miles, and Damon are ready and waiting. Cal’s dealership just got some fresh wheels in. Time to feel the wind in our hair!” Gavin actually quit his job and started his own business. He paid me back the $100,000 two weeks ago—with a big grin on his face. I’m well aware Gavin is living his best life as his own boss. Despite his regular routine of complaining to me about his “stress,” I can see through the act. Miraculously, he always finds enough time to hit the town with the boys—and, naturally, tries to coax me into joining.
“Can’t, Gav. I’m busy.”
“With what? With rubbing one out? Put on a fucking shirt!” The threat of losing his balls hasn’t made him calmer; that much is clear.
It takes him a second to notice Isaac, and when he does, he grins and walks over to look down at him. “So, this is the little monster that’s been keeping my best bud busy.”
“Don’t call my kid a monster,” I growl.
“It’s a term of endearment. Come here, kid. Come see Uncle Gavin.” Gavin bends down to pick Isaac up, who immediately starts whining.
“I don’t think he likes you very much,” I tease. “Not that I blame him.”
“He’s fine, he’s fine.” Gavin tucks Isaac into the crook of his arm and starts making faces at him until the baby is calm. “See, happy as can be. And how about you, Baby Daddy ?” he teases. “How are you doing?”
“Damn exhausted.” Grinning, I sit at the kitchen counter and take a moment to yawn. “But madly happy and in love. Wish she’d finally move in with me.”
“Why hasn’t she already?”
“With all the traveling I was doing, she needed her friends to help with the baby. But now I’m back and not going anywhere for a while. Still, we’ve hardly spent any time together. Well, not as much as I want to, anyway.”
“Not surprised. The woman is a workaholic.”
“Once she gets her studio up and running, I’m sure things will calm down a little.”
“Well, then, what are you going to do about it in the meantime? Don’t just sit around and wait,” Gavin says, taking a seat on the sofa.
I walk into the kitchen to get some coffee going, knowing I’ll need caffeine if I’m going to make it through the evening. “I asked her to spend the night. She won’t be back until late, but at least I’ll be able to see her for a bit.”
“Hey, you’re putting in the effort. Good for you. What are you planning for tonight?”
“Planning?” I ask, lifting a brow in question.
Gavin gives me an exasperated sigh and looks down at Isaac, who is too focused on trying to shove his fist in his mouth to notice. “Your father is hopeless, little man. Looks like I’m going to have to show you the ropes when you get older.”
“I resent that remark, asshat. I’m not hopeless,” I say, adding the coffee grounds and turning on the coffee pot. “I planned some alone time with her—if you know what I mean.”
“No, what’s that? What do you mean? Netflix and chill with the Netflix and chill? Heading to your room, giving the pickle a tickle? Do you even remember your dick’s end goal in life? Its sole purpose? It ain’t pissing, that’s for sure. It ain’t for jerking off either.”
I see no point in elaborating to Gavin on the medical reasons behind temporarily putting intimate time on hold after a pregnancy. He’ll come to understand the realities as soon as he steps into fatherhood—no need to spoil the surprise for him just yet.
“Parenthood is time-consuming, especially when paired with a job,” I mention, grateful the machine swiftly brews up our coffee in less than two minutes. “She’s already exhausted enough from waitressing.”
“All the more reason to help her take her mind off work.”
The wheels in my head begin to turn as I consider his suggestion. It isn’t a bad one. And he’s right: planning a small surprise for Lizzie will help her think about something other than her mountain of responsibilities.
“You know, Gavin, I have to give you credit,” I tell him. “Sometimes you do have good ideas.”
“I’m going to pretend like you aren’t making fun of me, and I will accept that as a compliment.”