Hannah knew things would change once Anton knew the truth, but she hadn’t expected it to go quite like the last month had.

On that first night, things had been awkward. Melody, in her always cheerful attitude, happily showed him art projects and math tests, sharing about her world like she would any other new person in her life. But they hadn’t connected at all that first night. It was just them getting to know each other and figuring out what this new relationship would be. And it was that for Hannah as well. She might not be meeting a parent or child for the first time, but she’d never had a co-parent, and she’d never had another person to schedule with when it came to Melody. She was used to having her all to herself, but also being responsible for every detail. There was some relief in his help, even if she missed out on some of her time with Melody.

Usually, the three of them spent time together. The first weeks, that’s all she would have allowed. Anton must’ve sensed that or that Melody wasn’t ready, because he didn’t even ask. But it had been almost a month now, and in the last week, he had taken Melody to school, which Hannah had to admit helped her out a lot, and he’d taken Melody out for dinner alone. Hannah made sure many times that Melody was okay being alone with him. She gave her instructions to text or call if anything felt uncomfortable. But her worry and warnings had been for nothing. Melody loved spending time with her father.

Hannah wasn’t surprised that he used his money to win them both over. That first night, he’d brought chocolates. An acceptable gift. But the next time he showed up, he brought her a fat check. He claimed he’d looked up what amount of child support he should have been paying and that the check covered a good part of what she’d missed over the years. He also promised many more large checks in the future.

She tried to refuse, but he was right. Had he known from the start, he would have helped her somehow with money. And they needed it badly. She hid from Anton just how badly, and this check would help her keep hiding it. She didn’t want him to think he could show up with money and that Hannah would fall into his arms and let him be her only support. She liked working and having that part of herself. And she liked knowing that she had done it alone for the last ten years. She hadn’t needed a man to survive, and she still didn’t.

But the checks weren’t the only thing he came bearing. Every time he came, there were gifts. Jewelry for Hannah, video games for Melody. A new phone case, new books and sneakers. So much clothing for both of them that Hannah’s laundry load had doubled in the last weeks. Melody looked forward to the gifts. What nine-year-old wouldn’t? But they’d had a lot of conversations about them, too. That money didn’t equal love and that it wasn’t the most important thing. Also, that Daddy might not always bring a gift. She shouldn’t expect something every time. Yet, he never let her down in that regard.

Then there were the questions. Some were easy. How had she met Daddy? Hannah told Melody the story of her first day in a new school and the cute boy who’d stood up for her when someone tried to bully her. But the other questions were harder. Why hasn’t Daddy been here before? Why aren’t you married to Daddy? Will you ever marry Daddy? Some of those were questions she hadn’t even been able to answer herself.

Hannah’s biggest change had been in her thinking. She almost had no choice but to think about Anton. He was at their apartment many times in the week, or he was taking Melody to or from school. He was calling and texting both of them, but he asked Hannah questions constantly. It seemed he wouldn’t be satisfied until he knew every detail of the last nine years. They’d spent several evenings going through photo albums and talking about things they’d done together over the years.

As Anton got to know his daughter and grew closer to her, he got to know Hannah again and grew closer to her, too. Some time in the last weeks, Hannah had softened to him in a way she hadn’t since high school. There was always the physical side of things. She hadn’t been able to deny that since the day she saw him walk into the restaurant. She wouldn’t allow herself to be alone with him because she knew what would happen.

This change wasn’t about the physical aspect of their relationship. This was the emotional side. She’d let him in again. She’d opened herself and trusted him. She’d made room for him to hurt her, and in that, she knew her feelings for him were being stirred up after all this time. Seeing him with Melody made it all worse. He was a good father. She loved seeing them together and it was easy to picture them all living together when he was there, helping Melody with her homework.

Tonight, they’d all been out to eat. These were the best times. When they acted like a family. People who didn’t know them thought they were a family. Anton took them to nice places. Places they never could have gone before. It made Melody happy, and Hannah was happy, too. She was still cautious, knowing all that happened in the past, but these glimpses of family life made her want more.

Anton got out first and held the door open for them.

She rolled her eyes at him as she passed him. “You do have a driver for that, you know.”

“I like to be of service to my ladies.” He winked.

Melody scampered up the stairs and Hannah and Anton followed behind her.

“That place was amazing,” Hannah said. “I could eat there every night.”

“We can arrange that.”

“No.” She swatted his shoulder playfully. “I’d weigh five hundred pounds eating like that every night. I’ll have to hit the gym extra hard tomorrow.” That was another benefit of having Anton around. Now she could not only afford a gym membership, but had the time to go and work out, too.

Overall, the changes in all of their lives seemed to be for the better. Melody was happier than ever, work was going great for Hannah, her and Anton had a comfortable co-parenting, semi-dating relationship. They weren’t usually physical. He didn’t kiss her most of the time when he was visiting, but there wasn’t a complete lack of affection, either. Hannah tried to deny it, but she was falling for him again. And this time, she didn’t think she wanted to stop herself.

After they got Melody to bed that night, Hannah lingered in the hallway. Usually, he left after Melody was in bed or right after they’d finished discussing schedules or some detail concerning Melody. Tonight, she had something else in mind.

“I, umm… I just wanted to say,” she said, “that this last month has been really great. I love seeing you and Melody together and it’s clear that you’re a good influence in her life. She’s needed a father, and you’ve turned out to be a rather good dad.”

“Thank you for that.” His smile was bright and genuine. “I had and still have, no idea what I’m doing, but it’s nice to know you think I’m okay at it.”

She chuckled. “I think you’re more than okay.”

“Yeah?” He raised an eyebrow and leaned against the wall, his eyes lowering into an intense gaze.

“Yeah,” she said. She took a step closer to him. “Everything is so different now, but in some ways, it’s just like being in high school again.”

“Except that now we’re the parents instead of the students.”

“Right. Responsibility. Who knew we’d be so good at it?”

He laughed and took her hand. “There are lots of things we’re good at.”

Hannah pulled her lower lip into her mouth. There hadn’t been a day she didn’t want him. It was difficult to be around him so much and not be kissing him. She took a deep breath and stepped closer.

Anton knew exactly what she wanted. He pulled her close and began a long, passionate kiss. They hadn’t kissed like this since that first day, when they’d been so shocked and excited to see each other. Now the kiss was just as hot, but this time, it had more love behind it. More than just lust.

Her fingers found their way to the back of his neck and she pulled him closer as the kiss heated up. Her heart raced and her whole body felt hot. She was wet for him already.

He moved his hands slowly down her body, pausing to caress every inch of her. When he reached under her skirt and rubbed her, she let out a moan. They were still in the hallway, too close to Melody’s room.

Anton picked her up, wrapping her legs around his waist and carried her into her bedroom. He sat her on the edge of the bed and pushed her skirt up. She watched him pull her panties down tantalizingly slow. The anticipation built. When she felt his tongue on her, circling her clit with flicks and sucks, the sensation of pleasure rushed over her. In minutes, she was coming, tugging at her own hair as her body responded to him.

He gave her a seductive grin and unzipped his pants. She bit her lip again, waiting for him to enter her. He took his time pushing down his pants and then his boxers. He was teasing her, and she could barely stand it.

“Anton,” she whispered, begging.

He pressed the tip of his dick against her, rubbing in her juices.

“Please,” she said, quivering with desire.

“I like it when you beg,” he said.

He pushed just the head of his cock into her. She wanted to scream. She tried to move her hips forward, to put more of him inside her. He held back, not fully entering her.

“Say it again,” he said.

“Please,” she moaned.

Finally, he gave her what she wanted. He slammed into her in one hard thrust that made her cry out in pleasure.

He didn’t hold back again. He grabbed her hips and pulled her toward him as he pounded into her. Harder and faster he thrust, making her quiver all over.

He let out a moan and slammed in again. As he came, she came again.

She let out a long sigh of satisfaction as he climbed onto the bed beside her.

“See,” he said. “Told you we were good at lots of things.”

“Mmm.” She rolled over and wrapped her arms around him. “But that’s just one thing, really.”

“We can make it two. Or three or four.”

He started kissing along her neck and it didn’t take long for things to heat back up. She could still feel his juices dripping out of her when he slid back in.

Side by side, facing each other, they moved together. He brought her leg over his waist and grabbed her ass to pull himself in deeper.

Their bodies were still hot from their recent love making and didn’t take long for them to climax again.

This time, he stayed inside her for a long while as they cuddled.

“I think I should probably go,” Anton whispered after a while.

“What? No.” Hannah nuzzled into his neck.

“I don’t want to confuse Melody by being here in the morning. She would probably have some questions.”

“I guess you’re right.” She sighed and sat up to watch him get dressed.

“Won’t be long before I’m back, though.”

She walked him to the front door. He took her in his arms and kissed her.

“I love you, Hannah.”

Her mouth popped open, but before she could respond, he closed the door behind him and was gone.