Because This Is Forever by Lena Hart

country for his own company and
at his father’s request. Not being able to see or touch her had been
frustrating. He never made a big thing about his birthday, but Mia had wanted
to do something special for his big three-oh and he could think of nothing
better than to hide away somewhere with her, where they could eat, relax, and
make love. He had rented a vacation home and for one week, they had lived in
their own private oasis.
    They had
spent the days enjoying the quiet, country scenery and the nights…the nights
had been unforgettable. They couldn’t get enough of each other. She had been as
wild as he, clawing at his back, rising up to meet his heavy thrust. They had
sweated and panted and had gotten as close as two bodies could possibly get.
    Nate shifted
to hide his body’s reaction at the still vivid memory. Sometime during that
week, they had made Mikey. Though he still struggled between his anger and his unwavering
lust for her, he had no regrets. Together they had created another life. Though
he couldn’t accept or excuse her decision to keep Mikey from him, he couldn’t
ignore his role in making her feel as if she had to.
    “Daddy?”
    Nate instinctively
jerked at the name. Though it wasn’t an unpleasant sound, it was something that
would take some getting used to.
    “Yeah,
buddy?” he asked gently.
    “Can
I have some juice?”
    He
looked helplessly at Mia. He didn’t think he had any. He didn’t entertain much in
his apartment and was certainly not equipped to entertain kids as young as
Mikey, or guests of any age for that matter. He didn’t even keep liquor in his
apartment anymore. Not that he didn’t enjoy a drink on occasion, but after
their breakup, he had found himself indulging in the mind numbing liquid too
frequently. Fortunately, he had ended the bad habit before it had gotten a
chance to permanently root itself in his life. He now had a personal rule to
only drink socially. Never alone and never at home.
    “I
don’t think I have any.” Nate checked his watch. If he left now, he could
probably pick some up.
    “It’s
all right,” Mia said with a soft smile of understanding. “I think I have a
juice box in one of my tote bags.” She got up and fished through a large,
yellow and brown bag that had been left in the foyer. She still wore the light
sweater she’d put over her white cami, yet it did little to conceal her lush curves
hidden underneath. She walked back to where they sat and handed Mikey a green and
red juice carton.
    “Tomorrow
we can go shopping for groceries,” Nate said, watching Mikey suck up the red
liquid from the straw. Nate couldn’t stop looking at him. It felt too surreal,
looking at this little person who was a part of him.
    “Thanks,
but that’s not necessary,” she whispered. “We’re not staying long.”
    Irritation
at her dismissive words rose in him but he shoved it away. He didn’t want to
start another argument tonight, especially not in front of Mikey. There would
be time tomorrow to hash this all out.
    “We’ll
figure that out later,” he replied.
    Her
attention was momentarily stolen away when Mikey handed her the juice carton so
she didn’t argue.
    “Finished?”
she asked, grabbing the carton. At his vigorous nod, she placed it on the
center table and stood up. “Okay then,” she said, holding out her hand. “Time
for bed.”
    “But
Mommy, I’m not tired.” Mikey continued to whine, pout, and protest as Mia
ushered him back to the guest room. Nate watched the whole scene with
fascination and mild amusement. He knew a handful of people with children and
didn’t spend a whole lot of time with them, so he could only imagine the patience
needed to deal with that kind of energy. The way Mia was handling their son
seemed to come naturally. She was gentle yet stern, loving but still firm.
    Something
in him warmed at the sight. He had never experienced that with his own
parents—certainly never his mother. Was it something that came