Page 15 of Infinitely Mine
A chuckle escaped my mouth, and I dug into my float, ignoring the side yes from Rowen. She stood and began to clear the table as I stood to help.
“No, you stay there. You’re a guest, and you brought dinner. I’ll clean up.”
My heart nearly skipped a beat when she smiled, warming me in ways that wouldn’t be polite to say in front of a kid. I ignored my body’s reaction and the twitch of my cock as I watched her walk into the kitchen, taking the pizza boxes with her so she could sort the leftovers and put them away. That woman had a fine ass. I had to tear my gaze away.
“I got a few things for you, Jacob,” I announced and placed the Avengers coloring book, colored pencils, and washable markers in front of him.
Jacob’s eyes widened. His surprised gaze bounced between me and the stack of gifts. He blinked. Twice.
And then his little chin wobbled.
Shit.
Before I could say anything, he launched from the chair and into my chest. I caught him, returning the hug as his little arms wrapped around my neck.
“Thank you, Mammoth! This is the best birthday ever!”
I jolted and met Rowen’s pretty eyes. “It’s his birthday?”
“Well, kind of. He turned six last week.”
“Happy birthday, Little Man.”
Jacob sniffled and leaned back, climbing from my lap and into his chair. “You’re my best friend, Mammoth.”
My hand slapped my chest over my heart. Wow. “That means a lot to me, Jacob.”
“I knew you would be nice,” he replied in a sing-song voice and opened his coloring book, finding a page with Spiderman. He ripped into the package of colored pencils and pulled out red, pressing the sharpened edge to the paper. “Ohhhhhh,” he breathed. “I love these!”
“I’m glad.”
“I’m going to start a load of laundry,” Rowen announced, and I could hear the emotion in her voice, but when I glanced her way, she’d already turned around.
When the room grew quiet, and we could hear Rowen start the washer, Jacob whispered a secret.
“My dad used to fight with Mama. He would yell and yell until it made my head hurt.”
I didn’t expect that, but I wondered if Rowen ran because of violence. “I’m sorry to hear that, Jacob.”
“He wasn’t nice like you. I hid from him under my bed when he got angry.”
Fuck.
“Does he live with you and your mama?”
“No. Mama told him he had to go because he hurt her.” Jacob’s finger lifted to his face. “She had a bruise.”
My Reaper chose that moment to rise to the surface, and I couldn’t hold back a growl.
“It’s okay, Helkin. He’s gone now.”
I forced the Reaper back before Rowen returned. “I won’t ever hurt you or your mama,” I swore.
“Dad said that too, but then he did.”
“How about I pinky promise?”
“What’s that?” Jacob asked, setting down his colored pencil.