Sleeping With The Single Dad Read online

  I couldn’t remember the last time I was this happy.

  “Finally, you’re both up,” said Olive, not taking her eyes from the food cooking on the stove. “Sit down, breakfast is almost ready.”

  Katie and I shared a curious look as we took our seats at the already-set kitchen bar counter.

  “What you got cooking there, kiddo?” asked Katie, leaning forward and trying to sneak a peek at what was simmering on the stove.

  “Good things come to those who wait,” said Olive, busy at work with the spatula.

  “Well, it smells great, whatever it is,” I said, giving Katie’s leg a squeeze over her robe.

  It had been several months since Katie moved in, and though I was a little anxious about the idea of getting into a serious relationship, those fears were quickly allayed as soon as she finished re-moving in her things. Olive was ecstatic, of course- I was beginning to think she wouldn’t ever forgive me for getting rid of Katie.

  With Katie around, and how wonderful it was, I found myself shaking my head in disbelief at how hesitant I had been to commit to a serious relationship. Having Katie around the apartment simply made my days brighter, and more joyful.

  Which is why it was not a difficult decision at all to ask her to marry me.

  She said yes, of course, and not wanting to wait to plan a ceremony, we took a quick trip on my private plane to Las Vegas, where we tied the knot. We were eager to get married, and glad we did, but I promised Katie a more elaborate ceremony. But we agreed to give ourselves the summer to relax before getting mired down in wedding planning.

  Weeks after, we received some more good news: Katie was pregnant.

  It was all a lot to be happening, and in a spontaneous fashion that was quite contrary to how I would normally do things. But it was all welcome and wonderful nonetheless.

  Olive finished up whatever she was making, and walked over to us with a cast iron pan in hand.

  “Eggs benedict with a side of Applewood smoked bacon,” she said, scooping the food out of the pan with a gleaming, silver spatula and placing in onto our plates.

  I looked over at Katie with an expression of surprise. Knowing Olive, however, I shouldn’t have been.

  Olive set the plate down and joined us, and we dug into the food, talking about the day ahead. These light chats over breakfast were beginning to become my favorite parts of the week; it was amazing how much joy and warmth my family was bringing to my life.

  A warm, loving look on her face, Katie smiled at me, a smear of hollandaise sauce on her lower lip. With a soft swipe of my thumb, I wiped it from her face before bringing her close to me for a quick kiss.

  “Ugh, not at the table,” Olive said, not looking up from her food.

  I looked down at Katie’s belly, noting that the bump was growing more and more noticeable by the week. Her pregnancy was unexpected, but more than welcome. And I was slowly learning to appreciate the unexpected.

  “I love you, baby,” I said, pulling Katie close and placing my hand on her leg.

  “I love you, too,” she replied, her face in that same warm, open expression that I couldn’t imagine my days being without.

  “Alright guys, love-in’s over,” said Olive, now flipping through a book as she ate.

  “And I love you too, kiddo,” I said, reaching over and mussing her hair.

  “Love you guys, too,” she said, looking up and smiling at us both for a brief moment before turning back to her book.

  And as we sat in the kitchen, the city around us, the morning light filling the apartment with a soft, orange glow, I found myself filled with a feeling of contentment that I never thought possible. I didn’t know what the future might hold, but I knew that whatever it did, we would be ready to greet it together, as a family.

  About the Author

  J.J. “Jane” Bella has always enjoyed reading since she was a little girl, reading everything she could get her hands on.

  Today she loves to write contemporary steamy romance stories for her favorite readers.

  Plotting sexy and sweet novellas while walking her dogs has always proven to be an exciting experience on a hot summer day.

  Wouldn’t you play with strong Alpha Males, wild Bad boys, and wealthy Billionaires if they provided you with happy endings too?

  J.J. lives in New England with her husband of many happy years, three children and two family Papillon’s.

  You may just find her writing on the lake, at the ocean, by a brook, in the middle of a NE snow storm, or on the deck in the Fall.

  She also loves to hear from her readers and to share Hot new sweltering stories with everyone.

  J-J-Bella-867865666650460

  [email protected]