Getting away with the Alpha's Pup

Chapter 16

Cherry

“Crisis averted,” I said to Maisy, who was eyeing me with a knowing smile as I got off the phone. “Carl’s getting her.”

“Ooo, another dinner date with Carl,” my assistant said suggestively as she got to work on the dress.

I rolled my eyes but couldn’t fight the smile from spreading across my face again. As I prepped the necessary books for the interns, got out samples of material, and set my designs on the long white table we’d be working at, I felt my excitement growing about Carl and the future that was developing.

It was seven o’clock by the time I let myself into my apartment. The students had kept me until five, and then I’d had to check over the takings for my store below before closing up for the evening. As I slipped off my heels in the hall, I felt a sigh of contentment as I stole barefoot down the hall and into the kitchen.

Two almost full dinner plates rested on the kitchen table, and I frowned. “Carl?”

Just then, Carl darted into the kitchen, wide-eyed, and his usually charming expression strained. “Thank god you’re back. Fern’s not well.”

My heart ricocheted through me. “Where is she?”

“In the bathroom,” Carl said, running his hands through his wavy brown hair.

I shot into the bathroom, panicked to find my daughter slumped against the wall by the toilet, clutching her stomach.

“It’s okay, Sweetie, I’m here.” I touched her forehead and saw the slight rash across her chest, and knew instantly what was wrong. Fern had a lactose allergy.

I darted to the medicine cabinet, taking out the antihistamine pills. I filled a glass of water and kneeled down on the tiles, making my daughter swallow the medicine.

“How was school today, Sweetie,” I asked, trying to distract her from her discomfort, but she just whimpered.

To engage her, I told her that AJ was in today, knowing that she always liked to hear which celebrities had visited the store. Ten minutes later, Fern was telling me about the Maths quiz she won in her class today and tugging me into the kitchen to admire the latest of her art pieces showcased on the fridge. Relieved that my little girl was okay, I let her entertain me with tales about the rest of her school day before getting her ready for bed and tucking her in.

An hour later, Carl and I had polished off the offending food while I listened to what must be his fifth apology of the night. “I’m so sorry, Hun. I just put butter in without thinking.”

As I started to clear the table, I said, “It’s okay. Fern’s fine.” But the tension from finding my daughter so clammy and in such pain hadn’t yet left me.

As if Carl could sense it, he topped up my glass of white wine and said, “I’ll clean up. Go put your feet up.”

In the living room, I recline on the comfy cream couch, enjoying the crisp Riesling in hand. Breathing in the scent of the houseplants dotted throughout the room, I felt calmer. There was a dozen or so mature plants, the fig, monstera, and cordyline, some of my favorites. A bit like when designing clothes and thinking about texture, I’d found myself buying and nurturing plants, their different leaves adding such a welcome diversity to the space.

When Carl joined me on the couch, he pulled my feet into his lap and started to massage them. Setting my glass down, I closed my eyes, my body humming with satisfaction and a shiver of desire as his expert fingers kneaded my bare skin. I wondered how they’d feel stroking the rest of my body.

We hadn’t done much more than kiss yet. He had been patient with me, knowing I wanted to be sure about him before we slept together. I’d explained that I couldn’t afford to be reckless with my heart, for Fern’s sake. He’d agreed from the start to our no sleep over rule until we were sure about each other.

I opened my eyes. “Okay, another ten minutes of this, and you’re absolutely forgiven,” I joked. My voice came out breathier than expected, highlighting how affected I was by his touch.

A spicy smile painted his face, and his voice sounded low. “I’d happily do this for hours.”

My gaze dipped to his lips, and Carl moved, his mouth crashing into mine as his body moved over mine. Our lips devoured each other, and longing swelled through me as his muscular body pressed against me.

As I surfaced for air, Carl’s green eyes skimmed my face. “God, I love you.”

And my tension skyrocketed again. We’d only been dating for two months. He must have read my distress because he moved away from me but didn’t take his bright green eyes off me.

“I know it’s soon,” he said, running a hand through his mussed hair. “But I’m going to tell you how I feel so you know I’m serious. About you. And Fern.”

As I sat up, I managed to get my tongue in gear, “I like you a lot, and I’ve loved spending time with you. I know Fern’s enjoyed it too.”

Awkwardness swam through me as I wondered if he’d retreat since I couldn’t yet say the same thing back.

But the same confident and charming smile remained on his face. “I wanted to tell you how I felt, Cherry. I love you, and I can’t wait to spend more time with you and Fern.”

Our kisses and caresses for the rest of the evening were tender and full of burgeoning feelings. With lots to think about, I kissed him goodbye at the door. A thrill of excitement wound through me at Carl’s confession, and after checking on Fern, I went to bed with my head full of him. Yet, beneath the buzz, worry gnawed at me. I’d told him about Fern’s allergy. I’d mentioned it as soon as we’d started dating. As well as reminding him the handful of times we’d cooked together here. How could he have forgotten something so important?