His Secret Obsession
Chapter 123

(Jack)

I couldn't stop staring at this woman in front of me..the way she talked and laughed just captivated m she and Patrick were kids. The whole time she was telling the story, my eyes didn't know where to loo That's right..we had been talking for two damn hours straight and I haven't felt a single bit of awkward This is freaking new to me..it felt so natural and easy. Is this what dating is like? I have a feeling it's jus We had already eaten our burgers and were now working on Milkshakes that a woman named Fran br composure whenever she walked by and gave me a thumbs-up or a huge grin while pointing to Lacey. "Here you go kiddos. We are closing in an hour so better wrap it up." She winked before placing the bi "I was thinking I could take you one more place before dropping you at home. If that's okay with you? our kid is going to be damn cute too between the two of us..just saying.

"Okay, let's go." I smiled before extending my hand out to Lacey, helping her stand. I honestly have ne We were walking out the door when Lacey suddenly froze, making me stop and look down at her. then Right by my truck stood Mitch Ballard leaning against the front end...

What the f**k was he doing here?

ever before. Right now she was in the middle of telling me about the annual trip to the Oregon coast Lacey and her family would go on every summer since either getting lost in those clear blue orbs or her full pink lips that kept reminding me of what we had just done two hours earlier.

r hesitation.

who makes it this way. She is such a natural flirt too..and the worst part is that she doesn't even know it.

s. She has worked here for as long as I could remember and seemed more than happy to see who I was on a date with. I tried my hardest to keep my

e table. I put a fifty down, which left a fifteen-dollar tip, and turned towards Lacey.

d her before giving one of my signature smiles and watched as she nodded her pretty little head yes. Damn, the mother of my child is f*****g gorgeous.. And

n such a cute pregnant lady in my life. It's hard not to smile like an idiot whenever I look at her.

wed her gaze and felt my mood go to shit immediately.

"Well, what do we have here?" He teased in a smug tone, making Lacey hold onto my arm tighter. "Let's just ignore him, Jack. I don't want to ruin the night." she whispered, making me let out a sharp b "I heard the rumors Lace...that you got yourself knocked up. I always knew you were desperate for atteout this..wow.." He laughed, making rage burn inside of me as I swear I was readying myself to tackle the prick and beat his a*s. "You're just pissed because I finally moved on from an abusive asshole like you.." Lacey muttered in a Mitch didn't seem to expect that either by the shocked expression he now wore.

s I clenched my fist instinctively..f*****g Mitch..I'm sure one of his bone-headed buddies saw us here and gave him a call.

"If you call begging at my doorstep to take you back 'moving on' then you sure did a great fucking job you want to fix stuff with me." He motioned to her stomach, and that was when I had enough. I was ab

ne, making me do a double take. I did not expect her to say that..

e. But you didn't have to go this far to make me jealous Lace..I was more than ready to take you back...well, before this shit. You are not keeping that thing if lunge at the asshole and show him just who he was messing with but before I could Lacey must've had the same idea because she stomped straight over to

him and slapped him hard across the face. The sound ricocheted off the nearby trees as my jaw was now hanging open.

I raced over to Lacey's side, my hands gripping either side of her waist just in case Mitch tried anything but I knew not to pull her away. She needed to do this...

"I haven't spoken to you in two and a half years Mitch..you fucking ruined me..you made me feel like I was worth absolutely nothing..I felt more valued in one night with this man here than I did the whole five years that we dated." She was fuming...damn..I have never seen Lacey like this..why was I getting turned on right now?

"I truly hope you open your eyes and see just what you have lost and fucking learn from it Mitch..because I will never go back to that hell..I don't love you...in fact, I despise you..so please get your head out of your ass and move the hell on..because I have." And with that Lacey turned on her heel, and grabbed my arm before dragging me to the car and practically shoving me into the driver seat before going around and sliding into her own seat.

Mitch just stood there frozen in shock as I started the car and honked the horn, making him jump in the air before stepping to the side..just staring at the truck as we pulled away.

It was quiet for a few moments before Lacey burst out into laughter, prompting me to do the same as we both couldn't hold it in anymore.

"Oh god...I have been wanting to do that for so fucking long." She gasped, making me beam at her brightly.

"I'm proud of you. That was fucking amazing." I praised her, making her smile back at me proudly as she stared into my eyes.

"That was pretty amazing wasn't it?" Seeing this side of Lacey just made me fucking fall for her even more.

"Are you okay though? Let me see your hand." I requested while putting the car in park and stopping at our next destination. I watched as she slowly reached over, placing her palm face up in my hand as I studied it intently. "Yeah, I'm okay..A little surprised I did that, to be honest, but maybe it had to mostly do with the pregnancy hormones." She laughed, making me smirk as I lifted her hand and delicately placed a kiss against her red palm.

"Is it bad?" She breathed, her eyes filling with pure lust as she darted her tongue out, wetting her lips sensually causing my heart to skip a damn beat.

"You'll live..as for Mitch..I have a feeling we won't be seeing him around for a while." I gave her a lopsided grin.

The urge to crash my lips against hers began to occupy every thought I had and I knew I had to get Lacey out of this truck....because I don't think I can hold back much longer. I kissed her hand once more before turning the truck off and sliding out the driver's side. I wanted to take Lacey somewhere special..I know this is impulsive as fuck and I might be moving too fast..but I want to show her I am ready to do this...especially after tonight. It just confirmed things even more for me..

"I want to show you something." I whispered, my hand reaching for hers before grabbing a flashlight from the side of the door with my other.

"Just keep an open mind okay? I know this is a lot..and you don't have to decide anything now..but I have been looking at places." I explained, making her nod tentatively as I walked us down the driveway..I wanted to surprise her..to show her that I could do this. Either way, I was going to move out of Allen's place. It was time for me to grow up and move out. I need a safe home for my future kid..I need to get out of that bachelor pad because no matter what I have to change some things..yeah this might be all Lacey fueled, but it also opened my eyes to take a real hard look at the way I have been living.

Turning the bend, we were instantly met with the two-story home that I looked at a few days ago. It definitely needed a lot of work..but I know I can do this.

I couldn't help but glance towards Lacey as she looked the house up and down. The front had a wrap-around porch with a swing that fell down on one side. The outside lights were on because I asked Hank, the guy who owns it, to leave it unlocked for me tonight. He buys properties and flips them but wasn't able to complete this one yet, so I would get a really good deal on it.

"What is this place?" Lacey asked softly as I helped her up the stairs and onto the porch.

"Well...that's the thing." I began, trying to replace a way to say this without freaking her the fuck out. I don't know what the hell happened to me.. one-minute commitment and having a kid scared the hell out of me..and now I'm all in..but not just that..I'm a scary amount in.

I want this life so fucking bad..I want what Allen had..hell, I want what fucking Asher and Em have..as horrible as that is to admit. But I could see that life..I just feel it deep down that she is it..I have for six damn months but was too afraid to confront those feelings. Now I am struggling to keep them in..how insane is that?

The words Allen told me kept running through my mind..when you know, you just know..when you know this person is the one you want to spend your life with, it doesn't happen how you think. Love doesn't follow a timeline..it consumes you. But you can't confuse love with lust..because lust is fleeting..lust is something that can be fulfilled and eventually fizzle out..but love, it makes you grow. It makes you want to be the best version of yourself for that one person whose happiness matters more than your own. And right now..Lacey is that person who I want to make happier than anyone in the whole world.

"I want to buy this place Lacey, I want to buy it and make it a home. Not just for me and our kid but for you too."