Chapter 119: Chapter 119
Kyra’s POV
"Thanks for the dinner again, Mr. Walter."
He smiled as he closed the car door behind me. "I should be the one thanking you for this evening. And please, call me Caleb."
I bit my bottom lip and nodded, his scent lingering pleasantly in the cool night air. "I’m going inside now. Thanks for the ride."
I waved before turning and entering the condominium tower. I had left my car at the company because he’d picked me up for dinner. We had talked about various things, and he had actually offered to help me again professionally, but I declined. I already had Emily by my side, and I thought she was enough.
"Mommy!" Snow’s energetic voice welcomed me as I entered our unit.
I smiled and lifted her into my arms, walking toward the living area. That’s when I noticed someone sitting on the couch, carefully collecting Snow’s toys and placing them in a storage box.
"Nathan?" My forehead creased in surprise.
He looked up at me and smiled. "I was just waiting for you. Ana has a headache so I told her to sleep early."
I nodded. "Thanks."
He stood and fixed his crumpled long-sleeve polo. I watched as he grabbed his coat from the couch, readying himself to leave.
"I’m sorry. I met someone and already ate outside."
"It’s okay. I was just really waiting for you and... Ana cooked so we already ate."
I put Snow down, and she immediately ran toward Nathan. My breath caught as she took his hand in hers, the gesture so natural it made my heart ache. The smile on my daughter’s face and the happiness in Nathan’s eyes while watching our daughter made my chest tighten painfully. Sylvia whined softly inside me, urging me to tell him the truth. Should I tell him about her now? But...
"Will you come back again tomorrow, Nathan?" Snow asked, her voice hopeful.
Nathan smiled and squatted in front of her, his posture protective and attentive in a way that only an Alpha could be with a pup. Even without knowing she was his blood, his wolf Alaric was responding to her.
"Just at night, sweetheart," he replied softly. "I have work during the day so..."
Snow nodded happily. "It’s okay, I understand. What’s important is you’re visiting me every night."
I bit my bottom lip when Nathan glanced at me and chuckled before looking back at Snow. "You want me to visit you every day?"
"Yes!" The certainty in her voice was unmistakable.
Nathan’s minty scent wrapped around Snow, growing warmer. My heart raced. Could he somehow feel it, even without knowing?
"Uh... Can I get some water before I leave?" he asked.
I looked at his face. "How about... a coffee before you leave? You seem sleepy and you’re driving so... I think coffee would be better."
He smiled and rubbed his eyes. "I guess you’re right."
"Snow, go to our room. Wash your feet and go to bed."
Snow nodded and waved at Nathan. "Goodnight, Nathan."
"Goodnight, sweetheart."
I couldn’t suppress my smile, though I had to turn away and press my lips together when Nathan suddenly looked my way. I walked toward the island counter while he sat on a stool facing me.
I made two cups of coffee, one for each of us.
"Snow is full of love. You raise her very well."
I smiled at his comment. "Thank you."
He stared at my face while I sat on the stool opposite him. The steam from our coffee cups seemed to be the only thing between us. He was so close that our scents were beginning to mingle in that familiar way they once did when we were mates.
"Was it hard? Raising her alone?"
I looked into his eyes. "It was hard but worth it."
Slowly, he nodded and looked at his coffee. "How about... Kieran Carver. Does he know... that she’s his daughter?"
My heartbeat doubled as I watched his curious face, waiting for my answer. My throat seemed to go dry, and my mind fell into chaos. I knew Nathan would ask such a question eventually, but I hadn’t prepared myself for it so soon.
"It’s okay if you don’t want to answer," he said. "I just... want to know, but I can wait... until you can finally open up to me... hopefully."
I sipped my coffee and he did too. The silence between us made everything more awkward. His eyes were making me weak and scared. I suddenly feared telling him the truth about Snow, afraid of what it might change between us.
We finished our coffee without further conversation. When he said he was leaving, I stood up to grab his empty mug just as he did the same, and our heads bumped into each other.
"Ouch!" I groaned because it hurt. He immediately cupped my face, his thumb gently caressing my forehead as he looked at me with worry.
"I’m sorry. Are you okay?" When our gazes locked, I gasped, realizing the closeness between us.
He swallowed hard after noticing it too. My heart raced as his eyes repeatedly glanced at my lips.
I held my breath as his eyes settled on mine. He was studying my reaction.
My hands, resting on the island counter, slowly balled into fists. My toes curled as I gradually closed my eyes when his face moved closer.
It was so slow. Everything seemed to disappear. All I could think about was the anticipation for his lips to press against mine. There was a hollow in my heart that I felt was slowly being filled as he came closer and closer.
My fists tightened and my heart pounded loudly. I could feel him getting closer and—
"Mommy!"
I jumped in shock and immediately stepped back, bumping into the kitchen counter behind me. Nathan startled too, nearly losing his balance as he tripped on the stool, but luckily grabbed the counter in time.
I gasped and looked toward the staircase where Snow stood, hugging her doll, watching us with innocent eyes.
I felt my cheeks burning and couldn’t bring myself to look at Nathan, though from the corner of my eye I could see him staring at me while biting his bottom lip.
"You’re still here, Nathan!" Snow said happily.
I quickly walked to her and lifted her into my arms. "He’s leaving, sweetie. Why... why did you come down?"
"I can’t sleep, Mommy. I was waiting for you."
I looked at Nathan and he understood. He grabbed his car keys from the island counter and walked toward us. I was shocked when he suddenly leaned closer. I immediately turned my head to the side, thinking he would kiss me in front of Snow, but I was wrong.
My whole face burned with embarrassment when he planted a soft kiss on Snow’s forehead and then gently caressed my arm.
I looked at him and he smiled at me. "I’m going."
"O-Okay," I stammered, mentally cursing myself.
"I’ll message you when I get home. Is that... okay with you?"
I was still dazed. I found myself nodding, completely oblivious to Snow’s innocent stares.
My heart continued racing as I watched Nathan walk toward the door. I chose not to see him out because I couldn’t calm myself after two embarrassing encounters.
I had closed my eyes when he was about to kiss me. It was stupid after telling him I needed time to think. The truth was undeniable, I was still in love with him. I was still completely drawn to my daughter’s father.
