OUR LITTLE SECRET

Part 32

Your kiss, however, was short lived as Mara began to whimper, her cries becoming increasingly strident.

"It seems that our little princess is hungry again," Cillian chuckled softly, his lips curving into a wide grin. "Maybe, while you feed her, I will go downstairs and put Max to bed in the living room, say goodnight to the others and then join you up here," he proposed, brushing a strand of hair away from your face affectionately.

"That sounds good," you sighed dreamily, watching him lean down to plant a lingering kiss on your exposed neckline, sending shivers of delight coursing through your veins, before kissing Mara's forehead. "But don't you think that it would be a little confusing for Max if you were to stay up here with us? Sharing a bed with me and all," you wondered aloud, your fingers absently stroking Mara's soft cheek.

"Max will understand," Cillian reassured you, his gaze flickering across your face. "He actually asked me the other day why I am not dating you now that you had my baby and he even offered to babysit Mara for us when he is older so that I can take you out for dinner sometimes," he chuckled, leaning down to brush a kiss over your lips.

"Oh my god, he is such a good kid," you responded, your heart swelling with pride and affection. "He is so mature for his age," you added, snuggling closer to Cillian.

"Yes, he is," Cillian agreed, his fingers tracing slow circles on your back. "And I think that he really likes you even despite all the horrible things his mother has told him about us and our affair," he added gently before finally giving you some privacy to feed Mara.

He walked out of the bedroom, softly closing the door behind him while you sat down on the armchair in the corner of the room to feed Mara.

She latched onto your breast greedily, her tiny mouth sucking rhythmically, while you stroked her soft, downy hair gently. You could hear the faint noises downstairs; voices rising and falling in volume, punctuated by the occasional burst of laughter.

A few minutes passed as you nursed Mara, gazing out the window at the darkness outside and, eventually, Cillian returned, tiptoeing silently into the room. He quickly checked on Mara, stroking her head softly before looking up at you, his gaze melting into yours.

"You know, about what I said earlier, I really meant it," he whispered quietly, his voice hushed and filled with emotion. "I do love you, Y/N," he confided, reaching out to trace a path up your arm. "And I think that we should live together instead of separately, for Mara's sake," he continued, his gaze never straying from yours.

Your breath caught in your throat, your pulse quickening as you studied his earnest expression. "Cillian, I...," you stammered, searching for the right words. "I will need some time to think about that," you admitted softly, your heart thumping wildly. "I just don't want to rush things because I am worried that you might change your mind," you clarified, watching his gaze flickering across your face. "Despite, I am not the kind of woman your fans would expect you to be with and I know that this will not be ideal for your career. I am sure that there will be backlash and I am not ready for us to face any of this just yet," you admitted apprehensively, swallowing thickly.

"Y/N, it's not like the world doesn't already know about us after what Frank did," Cillian replied calmly, reaching out to trace a path up your arm. "But, if you need time to think about it, I respect that," he assured you, his gaze flicking across your face. "I promise to wait for you to make your decision," he continued, his voice low and soothing.

You closed your eyes, inhaling deeply before opening them again slowly. "Cillian, I am so scared," you admitted softly, your voice trembling slightly. "What if I commit to this and then, in a year from now, your career breaks down because of me and you decide to leave," you voiced your fears, your grip tightening around the blanket covering your lap.