Worth the Chance (Worth #3)

24. CHAPTER 24

CHAPTER 24

SIERRA

Erupting from my seat, I raise my hands and cheer along with the rest of the people gathered in the box for the Cougars first game of the season because my man has just scored a touchdown. The crowds are high fiving each other and chanting Kason’s name while the fans go crazy. I hug Margo beside me, and we jump up and down in our elation.

It’s been a week since that awful night and things are going much better than I could have hoped. The bruises have faded away, and Kason is no longer scowling when he sees them. Trevor is lucky he went to jail, or I have the feeling Kason would have been hunting him down.

I expected Brook to go back to being reserved, but she’s surprised me. I think that never having to go back to her mom and Trevor has relaxed her. She even went shopping with Margo on Friday while I was at work. Margo has taken her under her wing with her kind mothering, and Brook has really taken to her. Margo has stopped by my apartment every day to spend time with us .

“Happy Birthday, baby!” I scream even though he can’t hear me down on the field. He and his teammates are doing some silly dance, then he pounds his chest in the end zone before he runs to the stands and flips the ball to some little boy in the crowd wearing his number. The boy’s eyes light up as bright as a Christmas tree as can be seen on the jumbotron.

My man turned twenty-nine today. I woke him up with his first birthday gift of the day. My mouth. Then I gave him his second gift of gold football cufflinks before he left for the stadium. I have one more present to give, and I can imagine the excitement when he sees me in his jersey.

We made a bet that first weekend together, and I lost so here I am wearing his Jersey, with the name Morgan across the back and his number. I sit back down and notice someone sit down beside me. When I glance to my right, it’s a man I recognize, and he’s smiling softly at me. I met him the night of the charity gala. He’s Brax’s dad and owner of The Kinsley Agency. Unfortunately, his first name escapes me.

“Hello, Mr. Kinsley.”

He smiles fondly at me. “Please call me Charles.”

I smile back at him. He’s a friendly man from what I can remember. “Hello, Charles. Are you enjoying the game today?”

“I’m very much enjoying being here.” Weird way for him to answer, but I don’t question it. He leans past me and acknowledges Kason’s mom. “Hello, Margo. Nice meeting you again.”

“Nice seeing you again as well,” she replies.

He peers at me once again. “Are you enjoying your first game?”

“I’m loving it. You know I didn’t know much about the game before I started dating Kason, but he’s been a great teacher. Watching him play is extremely exciting.”

He tilts his head to the side. “Your family doesn’t watch it?”

“My Uncle Tony and Mark do, but I’ve never cared to watch it with them. ”

“And your parents, do they watch it?” I detect a note of sadness in his tone, but he smiles at me then and makes me think I must have imagined it.

“No,” I reply curtly. Not wanting to share my mom with him. He gives me a solemn nod but thankfully doesn’t ask any more about it. I know my mom never watched it, but who knows about the man who impregnated her.

Shooing any thoughts away of my mother, I focus once more on the game. Seeing my man running around out there is quite the aphrodisiac. I may have developed a uniform kink. I wonder if I can entice him to wear it home one day so I can have my wicked way with him. I giggle at my wayward sexy thoughts, and it has Charles turning my way once again.

“Tell me about yourself. What do you do when you’re not Kason’s cheerleader on game day?” Oh, now there’s a thought. I may just need a cheerleading uniform to go along with his football gear. We haven’t role played before, so I put that on my mental checklist of ways to have sex with Kason Morgan.

Charles is studying me with a furrowed brow, waiting on my answer. It takes me a moment to remember he asked about my line of work. “I’m a social worker for the Safe Haven Center. It’s a nonprofit outreach center that provides programs free of charge for youth from tutoring to therapeutic services. We have a gym and supply meals as well.”

“I’ve never heard of it. I’ll have to stop by and have a look.”

“Oh, that would be great.” The man is obviously loaded. I may be able to secure a sizeable donation from him. We could do with new computers in the tutoring room.

I instantly feel bad about my thoughts though because this man isn’t a wallet.

After that, we speak on and off during the game. Our conversation is easy and he’s a charming man. I cheer for Kason as he scores another two touchdowns by the end of the game. When people start to leave the team box, I shift back to Charles. “It was nice meeting you again. ”

“You as well. I plan to make a visit to Safe Haven soon.”

“I’d be happy to give you a personal tour.”

“And I look forward to it.” He shifts his gaze to Margo. “Have a nice evening, Margo.”

“Same to you, Charles.” With a final nod, he leaves. What a friendly man he was. So different than his son Brax who can be standoffish.

Taking my phone from my purse, I send a text to Kason with a heads up on some of the plans for tonight. Margo is going to stay with Brook, and I plan on giving Kason a night he’ll never forget.

Me:

Staying at your house tonight. I’ll see you when you get home. Congrats on your game and touchdowns birthday boy ??

I put my phone away and rush home to prepare for an evening that Kason will not soon forget.

Kason has told me the jasmine lotion I wear turns him on. I’ve made sure to buy candles in the scent and have two burning in his room, one on each nightstand. I don’t know if it’s the smell or that I’m so hot for him after watching him play today, but I want that man like I’ve never wanted him before.

I won’t lie that I’m a little nervous about what I’m about to do, but my need to give him a part of me no man has ever been given before is greater than any nerves.

He’s been prepping me with his fingers for a while now and has said he wanted to claim my ass, and tonight is the night I will give him what he wants. He has never shown me anything but pleasure, and I’m sure this will be no different .

The sound system is playing Please Me by Bruno Mars and Cardi B. as I’m in his bed on my hands and knees with my ass facing the bedroom door. I’m only wearing his jersey. He loves me in his team T-shirts but has made it known how hot he thinks I would look in his jersey. I didn’t see him before, during, or after the game so he has yet to see me in it.

After he texted me he would be home in about fifteen minutes, I climbed on his bed and held position for him. I know I won’t be able to hear him come in downstairs, with his floor being on the third floor, but I’m sure I’ll hear his steps on the stairs.

No sooner do I think it then I hear his footfalls. “Baby, you up here?”

I don’t answer; he’ll figure it out soon enough. The sound of him walking stops and I look over my shoulder and give him my best sultry gaze. He stands there and takes me in. He regards me intensely and zeroes in on my ass and pussy on display.

I lift my hand with the tube of lube in it. “Happy birthday, baby.”

He glances from the lube in my hand to my face, and I can see the shift in his eyes when he understands exactly what gift I’m offering him. His eyes darken, and his breathing picks up. After a few moments, he drops his bag and starts to undress. When he pulls down his underwear, his cock is already hard, and after discarding them, he begins to stroke his erection as he walks toward me.

“I love seeing you in my jersey. It’s so fucking hot.” He stops behind me and trails a finger from the top of my ass crack, between my cheeks and down to my slit.

“I love you,” I whisper, and his hungry eyes lock on mine. My words might be his biggest turn-on. He loves when I tell him that.

“Please tell me you’re sure about this because fuck if I don’t want to claim your fine ass.” His voice is husky in his arousal.

I wiggle my ass and say, “Take it, Kason. Fuck my ass. ”

He leans forward and kisses me hard before kneeling behind me. Then I feel the wetness of his tongue as he licks me from my clit to between the globes of my butt. This is new and I know it should feel taboo, but it doesn’t. It’s the exact opposite, it’s euphoric. I feel the wetness in my core.

He sticks one then two fingers in my soaked pussy before moving them to my butt and doing the same thing. I feel the stretch of my ass as he starts to push his digits in and out of me before scissoring them to widen the entrance to prepare for his shaft. I feel the stretching, and it’s not painful. His dick is big, and I’m under no delusions it won’t hurt, but people do this all the time and I’ve heard it’s pleasurable.

Grabbing the tube, he squeezes the lube onto my puckered hole. The chill of the liquid is in direct contrast to the heat of my core, and it sends a shiver through my body. He starts pulling his fingers in and out of me, making sure to apply the liquid inside my rim.

I scream when he unexpectedly slams inside my pussy. With how wet I am, he slides inside easily enough. “Oh my god,” I moan, and he starts to move faster and harder with each thrust.

We haven’t had sex since before the night of the attack, and I know I won’t last long. The walls aren’t thick in my apartment, and I was a little concerned Brook might hear us with how loud we get. Kason was right about my screaming; I’m not quiet when he’s hammering into me.

“You like that, baby? You like my dick fucking your cunt while my fingers fuck your tight ass?”

I nod because I sure as hell do.

“Words baby. Give me your words. I need to hear you say it.”

He hits me with a brutal thrust and my arms give out, my face falling onto the bed. “Yes, I fucking love it.” I’m on the edge of an orgasm. I’m expecting him to keep hammering into me some more so I’m disappointed when he stops and pulls out.

“W-why did you stop?” Damn it. I was so close. I straighten on my shaky arms and look over my shoulder at him again. He’s lubing his dick, and I’m slightly jealous of his hand. I know how good his dick feels.

Positioning the head of his erection at my rear entrance he encourages, “Relax your ass, baby. Deep breaths. Open for me.”

I try my best to relax as he pushes the tip inside. There’s a sharp pain but tolerable thanks to him stretching me and the lube helping his entrance. I fight to keep my arms straight and not fall flat on my face again. He enters a little further and there’s a slight pain that has me clenching my ass.

“Push out, Sierra. It will help,” he encourages through gritted teeth. He reaches around and slaps my clit, and I let out a soft whimper. “I said, relax.”

I take a deep breath and do as he says, and it helps. Inch by inch he slowly enters my ass and although there is some initial burning, it starts to recede as the pleasure takes over. In and out he moves repeatedly until he’s balls deep. He pumps gently a couple times then stops.

“Fuck, your ass is tight. You good?” I know he’s worried about hurting me. He shouldn’t be.

I look over my shoulder again. “Don’t hold back. Fuck me.”

That’s all it takes. His control snaps, and he thrusts into me. Slow at first then faster and harder when he sees how well I’m handling it and enjoying it. The pleasure isn’t like anything I’ve ever felt before. So fucking good. I start moving along with him, and he powers on.

“I’m not going to last long, I need you there with me.” He reaches around my body and starts to rub my clit. I’m moaning so loud I’m sure the whole city can hear me. He slaps my clit and the sting reverberates through my body. It was the last little push I needed. I fist the blankets as I shudder and start to clench. I see spots and detonate.

“Kason! Kason! Kason!” I scream. I know nothing but him. I feel nothing but him. Everything else doesn’t exist but him in my euphoria .

“Fuck, fuck, fuck. Your ass is constricting my cock.” Kason slams into me brutally before stopping. I’m vaguely aware of his dick jerking inside of me as I’m in the clouds with bliss rushing through my body.

When my quivering ends, my arms give out, and I fall to the bed with him on top of me. He lifts a little on his arms to relieve some of his weight from my back but his dick stays planted in my ass and the shaking slowly subsides. I lay panting beneath him.

I feel the sting of his teeth on my earlobe before he breathes into my ear. “Best fucking gift ever.”

I can’t help the giggle that slips out of me. When he chuckles in return, I feel his cock move inside of me.

Slowly, he removes his shaft from my ass. He rolls me over and lays back on me, staring into my eyes. I know he loves to see them when we’re intimate. “I’m going to have a bed made with a mirror as a headboard so when I have you from behind, I can see your beautiful green eyes.”

I laugh, but he doesn’t. My eyes widen. “You’re serious.”

“As a heart attack.”

Oh god. Now I’ve heard it all. “So you’ll never blindfold me and have your wicked way with me?”

He considers my question for a moment. “Now that you mention it, I may have to make an exception.” He smirks.

Oh, this man.

Leaning in, he kisses me tenderly before connecting our hands and removing us from the bed to go into the bathroom. He stops and glances at me. “Every time I hear this song, I’ll always think of claiming your ass.” I roll my eyes.

In the bathroom, he fills the tub and helps me in, climbing in behind me. Wrapping his arms around my middle, he moves me so my back lies against his chest and we just relax .

“I loved watching you play. I couldn’t keep my eyes off your tight ass in that uniform.”

“Ah. You like the uniform.”

“No, I love your ass in the uniform,” I correct him. He chuckles.

“And I’m officially in love with your ass,” he jokes, and I swat his arm.

“Can I expect to see you at all my home games?”

“Absolutely. I had so much fun with your mom too. She’s so sweet normally, but she really gets into the game. She threatened to go down and tackle the other player when he hit you out of bounds.”

Kason laughs. “The penalty gave us a first down, and we scored in that series so I’m glad he did.”

I think about my conversation with Charles then. “Oh, Charles Kinsley was there too. He said he wants to stop by the center and take a tour. He seemed really interested in it.”

His arms tighten around me before relaxing. “What else did he say?”

Kason’s voice is hesitant, and it worries me. I thought he liked Charles. They seemed friendly enough at the charity gala.

I turn over so my breasts are now lying on his pectoral muscles. His gaze searches mine, and his expression shows concern. Something is clearly up here. “Why do you ask?”

His lips tighten into a straight line so I know he’s stopping himself from saying what he’s thinking. Then he leans forward and kisses my forehead. “I’m sure you’re a little sore. Soak a while, baby.”

“Okay.” If he thinks I bought that bullshit line of concern, he’s dead wrong.

He stands, steps out of the tub, and wraps a towel around his hips before stalking from the bathroom. I sit and ponder what got into him. There’s something going on. I leave the tub and put on the robe hanging on the back of the door. When I enter the bedroom, the towel he had on is on the floor, and the joggers he wore home are gone .

I silently tiptoe down the stairs to the first floor. He’s not in the living area or kitchen. I sneak down the hallway to the office, and the door is shut. I press my ear to the door, and I hear his raised voice. He’s yelling at someone. Slowly, I turn the doorknob and push it open a little bit, enough to hear him better.

“What the fuck did you say to her? I told you not to approach her, and I would tell her.” Kason growls at someone. I’m not an idiot. It has to be Charles. His demeanor changed when I brought up that I was talking to him. He knows transparency is important to me, so now I’m pissed because I know there’s something he’s not telling me.

Throwing open the door, Kason turns around from his office window with his phone to his ear. His eyes widen in shock before he utters, “I’ll talk to you later.” After disconnecting the call, he says to me, “You should be soaking in the tub.”

He searches my face, and I know he’s trying to gauge if I heard anything. He’s about to find out the answer to that.

“What are you worried about Charles telling me?” His shoulders sag, and he doesn’t say anything, but I know he’s thinking as he slips his bottom lips between his teeth and chews on it. “Damn it, Kason. Tell me what it is.” I cross my arms in front of me. I don’t try and hide the anger I’m feeling for being kept in the dark.

Walking over to me, he picks up my hand, but I yank it out of his. No charming hand kisses are going to get him out of telling me what the hell is going on. I cross my arms over my chest again and take in his face. He looks crest fallen. “Can we sit on the sofa?”

I cross the room and have a seat. Instead of sitting beside me he kneels in front of me. There’s fear in his gaze when he peers up at me. “You’ve been through so much this week, and I didn’t want to add to it.” His tone is ominous, and I feel dread in my stomach. Whatever it is, it can’t be good. “Sunday night I didn’t go to a meeting. I went to see Charles. ”

“You lied to me? Why?” I feel sick. I hate being lied to.

“I had to be sure my suspicions were correct before I told you what I was thinking. I couldn’t tell you what I thought with certainty.” I nod for him to continue. I can see the pain in his features at whatever he has yet to say.

He takes a deep breath before confessing, “I went to see him because I had to know if he was your biological father.”

It takes a few moments for his words to sink in, but when they do, I feel as if I’ve been electrocuted from the shock of it. I open my mouth to speak, but no words pass through my lips. Open. Shut. Open. Shut. I must look like a damn fish.

He lifts his hands and cups my cheeks. “Baby, he’s your father. At the event we attended, he took a glass you were drinking from and had it DNA tested. He recognized the similarities between you and your mother, and your last name confirmed that you were Monica’s daughter. I planned to tell you that night, but then the shit went down with Brook and you were hurt. You brought her home, and there never seemed to be a good time to tell you because so much other shit was going on, but I promise I would have.”

Oh my god!

I stand abruptly, almost knocking Kason onto his ass before he catches himself. I begin pacing the office and rub my temples. This just doesn’t seem possible.

Charles is the married man who impregnated my mother.

Charles is the man who broke her heart and dumped her while she was pregnant.

Charles is the man who never wanted me.

Charles is the reason I grew up feeling unwanted and unloved by her.

Charles is the reason I was so scared to fall in love because of how badly he broke my mother.

I turn to face Kason who has sorrow in his eyes. “How did you know? ”

He reaches out to console me, and when I take a step back, he sighs. I understand a lot went on this week, but he should have told me.

“When you showed me their picture, I saw similarities. I couldn’t be sure because the picture was old and worn, but I couldn’t live with myself if he was and I never asked the question. I had to know the truth before I could tell you my suspicions.”

I think back on my interactions with Charles. That night at the charity he mentioned having possibly met me before, and I remember him studying me curiously. Then today when he was asking about my life and smiling… he knew I was his daughter the entire time.

I’m the daughter of Charles Kinsley.

The reality has me sinking to my knees on a sob, but Kason is right there to catch me. I don’t shy away from his touch this time. He picks me up, cradling me in his protective arms then carries me up the stairs to his room before laying me in his bed.

Before Kason, I never felt emotions like I do now. I’m softer and give into them. Falling for him has changed me. I was always so strong and kept them in check. Now I can’t help but feel.

We lay face to face for a long time, and he wipes away my tears with his thumbs caressing my cheekbones while I try to make sense of the bomb he dropped. The questions in my mind are endless.

I wasn’t wanted then, so why would he go through the trouble of the DNA test now? Does he worry I’ll want his money? Would he want some kind of a relationship with me now? Does he wonder what happened to my mom? Does he know that his rejection of us led her to such heartbreak that she couldn’t even love me?

I know Kason would never keep this from me without good reason, and his reason is valid, but he needs to know what I need from him going forward. “Please don’t ever hold back on me again. I don’t care what it is, I want to know. I can’t live in a gray area. ”

He breathes a sigh of relief. “I won’t.”

I wonder if he worried I would be angry with him. I’m not happy he didn’t tell me sooner, but he’s right, a lot of shit went down this week. “I need to know what happened when you approached him with your suspicions.”

He nods. “He didn’t deny you’re his daughter. He said your mother was the love of his life. Charles left your mother because his sons needed him.”

Charles has two sons, which means I have brothers, which means I know one already. Brax.

“Do his sons know?”

He shakes his head. “As of last week, no, he hasn’t told them. Charles wants to talk to you about it, but I told him to stay away until I told you. There was no way I was going to allow him to talk to you about it out of the blue. I was so mad he was with you today because he said he would wait.”

“Do you know his wife too? What all did he say about what happened?”

“His wife passed years ago, so I never knew her. He said he would talk to you about it first, so I don’t know anything else.”

I digest everything Kason is telling me, and I don’t understand why Charles wants to talk to me now when he never wanted me to begin with. It doesn’t make sense, and I hate not having answers.

“Call him and ask him to come over tomorrow night. I need to know what he wouldn’t tell you. I know me and wondering will most likely drive me crazy.”

“If that’s what you want then I’ll call him now.” He raises my hand and kisses it. “I love you. I hope you know I had your best interest at heart.”

“I know you did.” And I do know it.

He climbs out of the bed to make the call. I know my life will change tomorrow, but at least I can find out what happened all those years ago. His sons are as much in the dark as I am. How will they react to learning they have a sister ?

My life is about to change in a major way. I hope Charles doesn’t expect me to be excited by this news, like we’re going to have some happy father-daughter reunion, because if he does, he’s about to be sorely mistaken.

Kason set up a time to meet with Charles after I was home from work and he was home to be there for me. I’m anxious to hear his side of the story about what happened between him and my mother.

Last night after Kason set up the meeting, I asked him what his thoughts were on Charles, the man. He told me he thought of him as a fair and decent man prior to knowing he was my father. He also said he didn’t want to sway my feelings one way or another.

The gate buzzer sounds, and I look at Kason who is sitting on one of the sofas next to me. “Are you ready?”

“As ready as one can be,” I reply, twiddling my linked fingers in front of me.

Kason hits the button on the wall beside the door to unlock the gate and waits as Charles walks through it. Then Charles is standing in the doorway. He looks different than the other times I’ve seen him. I’ve only ever seen him in a suit, but he’s wearing jeans and a gray hoodie today.

“Kason.” He sticks out his hand in greeting.

Kason hesitates before he shakes it. “Charles.”

Kason leads him into the living room, and my gaze trails him the entire time until he sits on the sofa across from me before clasping his hands in front of himself. It’s the exact same way I’m sitting. Kason offers him a beer and leaves to grab one while we sit studying each other. I scan his eyes. The same green eyes I see each day when I look in the mirror. Kason comes back in with a beer, hands it to him, then sits beside me .

He’s different than he was yesterday when he smiled my way and the conversation was easy. I would call what he is now a bit timid, and there’s no grin to be found. Then again, I’m not smiling at him this time either.

“It’s nice to see you again, Sierra.” He sounds sincere, but I’m feeling a little pissy knowing the whole time he knew I was his daughter when we conversed yesterday.

“The last time we met you talked to me under false pretenses because you knew a secret I wasn’t privy to. At least we are now on the same playing field.” Charles arches a brow but nods in agreement. I waste no time getting to the heart of this meeting. “Tell me about my mom and your time together.”

His shoulders slump before responding. “When I met your mom, she was the most enticing woman I had ever met. We connected immediately. I tried to stay away, but the pull to her was so strong, and we started a relationship. I was consumed by her. I spent more and more time with her and less time at home.”

“At home with your wife and sons, you mean? Did you tell my mother you were a married man with a family?” There’s spite in my voice.

He shakes his head. “No, she didn’t know at first, and when she found out, she was madder than I had ever seen her.”

“How did she find out?”

“My wife. She had her suspicions and hired a private investigator to follow me. She confronted Monica with the truth that I hid. My wife could be a spiteful woman, and she was angry when she spoke to Monica. When Monica called me and told me what happened with my wife, I went to her. I told her I planned to leave my wife to be with her. It was the truth until…” he pauses and runs a hand through his hair. It takes him a few moments before he speaks again. “A tragedy struck and the decision was no longer mine to make.”

“What happened?” This is what I’ve been needing to know.

Charles frowns. He’s hesitating. I get the feeling he can’t talk about this easily if the slump in his shoulders is anything to go by. “I’m assuming the investigators told my wife where I went. She packed up our…” He stops speaking for so long that I don’t think he’ll finish. Whatever it is, he’s having a hard time getting through it. He clears his throat. “She got into a car after drinking heavily and drove to catch me with Monica. When she ran a red light, she crashed into a truck and died on impact. It’s because of that I lost…” He hangs his head.

I gasp and cover my mouth as Kason links his fingers with mine. The news has me stunned silent. His affair with my mom cost his wife her life.

When Charles finally lifts his head, I don’t miss the misery in his eyes. There’s no way this man is lying about this. “Because of my choices, I left my sons without a mother. My sons, especially Brax, needed me. I had neglected my family for love and my family paid the price. My boys needed me, and I needed to step up and be the father they deserved. I’d neglected them, so I broke things off with Monica for good. I didn’t deserve to have love in my life, not after my choices caused…death.”

I’m floored. This was not a scenario I had theorized. “Did you know she was pregnant?”

He shakes his head. “No. I promise you that I didn’t know. My focus became Brax and Isaac. I loved a woman I could no longer be with, and it was my burden to bear to live without her. Brax has never truly forgiven me to this day. He tolerates me at best, but I’ll never stop trying for his forgiveness.”

I don’t recall Brax being an overly friendly man, but he also wasn’t rude. I wonder if this is why he is the way he is. “Have you told your sons about me?”

He frowns. “As of last night, no. I felt I needed to talk to you first. When you are ready, I will talk to them.”

I’m not ready to speak with them just yet. I’ve only just learned who Charles is to me. “I’ll let you know when I’m up for it.”

“I understand,” he says with a nod .

I don’t know what to think anymore now that I’ve heard his side of the story. “I’m going to need some time to process all of this before we speak again. I don’t know if that time will be next week, next month, or next year.”

“I’m here when you think the time is right to talk some more. It was a horrible time in my life, but I want you to know that if I knew she was pregnant, I would have been there for you, even if I denied myself loving her. I’m asking you to give me a chance when you are able and willing to get to know me.”

I don’t know if I can do that. “My mother was heartbroken because of your leaving and that is something I don’t know that I can get past, but I’ll think over everything you told me. When I come to a decision, you’ll know.”

“You have two brothers in your life now as well. Even if you choose to not have me in your life, think about a relationship with them. I can only speak for Isaac, but I’m sure he would want to meet you.” Charles runs his hands down his face. “Brax may need a little more time to get used to the idea. He may come across as unfeeling, but it’s really because he felt too much at one point in his life.”

He makes Brax sound like a riddle, and I have no idea what to make of his words to describe him. I do feel I would be open to meeting them though, in time. It’s none of our fault that we never knew each other.

“Thank you for stopping by and explaining.”

“You’re welcome. Thank you for allowing me the time to talk to you.” As nice as he’s being, I can see the sadness behind his eyes.

Kason shows him to the door, and before he exits, he gives me one last hopeful look before he leaves. Then he asks a question I was sure he already knew the answer to. “Monica, your mother, how is she?” His question is hesitant.

Shit. He doesn’t know.

There’s no easy way to say it so I bluntly say the truth. “She died when I was eight. ”

His eyes widen before they drop in sorrow. He goes to speak before tightening his lips. He nods and faces away from me. After a couple of tense moments, he says before walking out of the door, “Goodnight, Sierra.”

I exhale loudly. I hadn’t realized I was even holding my breath. I feel Kason wrap me in his warm embrace. “What are you thinking?”

“I’m thinking I don’t know what to think.” I feel his nod against me. “I think my head may explode with all the information overload.”

“No decision needs to be made today. Take your time and know I’m here when you need to talk about it.”

That is the one thing I do know. That Kason will be there.

Right now, I will focus on us and take the time to consider if I want to add a new man into my life.