“You should add some caramel.” Knowing women love it since, “Archer’s sister, Esmee, is addicted to that shit.”
She leans forward and places the mug on the table. “No, thank you.”
Frustration hits me and it makes me grumble, “You clearly like sugar, every woman is allowed to indulge in sweetness every now and then.”
“Right. Indulge. Most women might, but not me. Have you seen my ass?”
I can’t help but smirk. “Seen it, felt it, gripped it, kneaded it, ran my tongue all over it. Pretty sure I nipped it with my teeth too. All of it should give you one hell of an impression I enjoyed every inch of your curves.”
Her cheeks flush adorably and yet it makes anger flow through me by the way she lets society dictate hints of her life.
“Let’s make it a rule. Deny yourself something you clearly enjoy again and I’ll spank that ass to remind you society doesn’t make the rules. You’re the only one in control of your life.”
“Says the person who basically gave me no choice and took me with him,” she huffs, and then her shoulders slump. “Sorry. It’s just that . . . a few weeks ago my father died. Now everything falls on my shoulders. And did I mention it’s draining to focus on all tasks while raising a three-year-old? My father set everything in place so the company would basically run itself but Gordon keeps showing up, reminding me of stuff I shouldn’t have to be bothered with, but for some reason he thinks I’m the one who needs to take care of it. Then there’s you, and the whole move here, and I know I basically have myself to blame for relocating here, but—” She’s starting to incoherently growl out some more words before she sighs and says, “I feel like I lost control of my life the day my father gave me the ultimatum almost four years ago.”
“The whole reason you wanted to become a single mother,” I state.
“Not the only reason, but one of them. My father wanted me to marry Gordon for the benefit of the company, leaving me little to no choice. But the main reason I became a single mother had more to do with filling a longing to give love and show my kid a world can be filled with a good balance.”
“Work, love, family, value, and respect to give all. Well, sweetheart, didn’t anybody tell you? Life sucks. There is no balance. Life happens and you have to sail through that shit on your own and take each step as it comes. It’s called living for a reason, and through hardness or loving people around you, you learn to adapt and create your own future. You did that with Denise. You’re struggling now but when you’re done struggling and are able to catch your breath, you will rise above everything all on your own.”
“That’s just it. It’s one thing after another, and I can’t seem to catch my breath.” The way every single word comes out—laced with pain and defeat—hits me straight in the chest.
I squat down in front of her and place my finger underneath her chin to make sure her eyes are on me when I tell her, “Your ass is on my couch, and as soon as you saw me again you told me she was my kid. This means I’m here right here next to you and am available to help and for you to lean on, okay? Come to think of it, you don’t have a choice in any of it. Your only focus for now is to let your ankle heal. Denise, do you have a babysitter for her or does she go to preschool?”
“I haven’t had the time to do any of those things. I was still unpacking from moving into the new house.”
“Okay, then we will discuss these things tomorrow. It will be good for the both of you to let her start preschool. But like I said, for now you need to focus on you. We discuss stuff, I’ll handle it.”
“Bossy,” she grumbles, making me smile.
“Woman, I’m a firefighter as well as a biker. I thrive on orders in heated moments. Either me giving them or I follow orders from my superiors. Both the MC and my work is a foundation where you learn to place your life in the hands of others and make sure you have their back too. You were on your own dealing with everything before we ran into each other again, but it ends now.”
The hope shining from her eyes make me lean forward and gently brush my lips against her forehead.
“Lie down and try to relax. I’m going to make a few calls.” I stalk out of the room, because if I don’t, I’ll do what I want to do; take her mouth instead of pressing my damn lips against her forehead.
CHAPTER THREE
– LEONTINE –
I hate this. I hate it, and it’s not fair. Why do I have to sit here in the shade while I can only stare at Kain who is currently teaching our daughter how to plant seeds? This is the reason why I moved to a small town instead of living in an apartment without a garden.
Though I seriously doubt if anything will rise out of the muddy mess, but I guess we’ll see. A deep sigh rips from my body at the thought since I hope I’m allowed to see if anything grows due to this being his backyard and all.
It’s been three days and he hasn’t said a word about the test results. And I know he must have received them, right? He mentioned how they have a special lab and it would be a priority. I don’t need a test; I know she’s mine, and Kain is her father.
Laughter draws me to the here and now where Denise is watering Kain instead of the dirt. No matter how grumpy I was a moment ago, I can’t help but laugh along with them. Kain’s eyes hit mine and my heart skips a beat. Why does this man have such an effect on me?
It was the same the day we met. Once we locked eyes, I was a goner; I wanted nothing more than to be consumed by him. Normally I’m shy and don’t seek male attention but he was the first guy I tried like hell to flirt my ass off with. I still can’t believe we ended up in bed together that day.
Scorching memories assault my brain and I can feel my cheeks heat. I rip my gaze away and reach for the glass of lemonade on the table next to me. The sweetness assaults my tongue and I can’t help but close my eyes and enjoy something else Kain gave me. Dammit, why does everything this man does have to be perfect and addictive?
“I would say ‘a penny for your thoughts,’ though the way the blush is decorating your cheeks I’d say it’s not suitable to be voiced out loud with our daughter standing near.”
A gasp leaves my throat and combined with a sip of lemonade it throws me into a coughing fit.
“Are you okay, Mommy?” Denise asks and starts to furiously rub my back.
I try to clear my throat and rub the tears from my eyes with both hands, thankful Kain took the glass from me during my coughing fit.
“I’m okay,” I croak.
“Maybe I should make mommy wet, it’ll make her feel better.” Kain smirks as he holds out his hand, pointing at the watering can Denise is holding.
What’s with the sexual innuendo? My cheeks flush some more and if I keep this up, I’ll turn into a freaking tomato.
Then it hits me . . . he said our daughter. I swallow a few times and ask on a whisper, “You have the test results?”
“I do,” is all he says and I know he’s going to go back to do some more gardening and end this discussion before it started.
I know I should wait till tonight when Denise is sleeping but I can’t help but whisper hiss, “You could have mentioned something.”