Total pages in book: 174
Estimated words: 172061 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 860(@200wpm)___ 688(@250wpm)___ 574(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 172061 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 860(@200wpm)___ 688(@250wpm)___ 574(@300wpm)
He glanced at Colin then back at Addy. “But you and Maci should make sure you don’t leave anyone out. Wouldn’t want Nolan or Colin or our little Finn to get the boot from your party.”
“I don’t want the boot,” Colin drawled, like he knew exactly what Cash was referring to.
I bit down on my bottom lip to stop the rush of affection. Hit by a swell of it with the fact that Cash was giving my children gentle instruction.
Like it was his job.
Like he’d been meant to help shape and mold them into caring, considerate human beings.
“I don’t gots no boots,” Eva sang as she pranced around on the toes of her white leather sandals, holding onto that teddy bear Cash had bought her, refusing to let it out of her sight.
Another low toll of laughter escaped Cash’s mouth.
I could get lost in that sound.
“No need for any boots,” he said in his brusque way, though tenderness rippled from him. “Now everyone in or we’re going to be late. If we don’t get over there, the girls will send out the search party and that’s the last thing we need.”
“Don’t worry, Mr. Big Grumpy Giant! I’m going to make sure we play with everyone.”
As of this morning, Addy had turned a corner. Had whispered in my ear that she thought Cash was ‘nice’.
“You never forget the ones you have in your heart, remember?” she added as she climbed into the back of the SUV.
Those eyes lifted to me when she said it.
Piercing.
Penetrating.
Shaking the ground beneath my feet.
He seemed to have to pry himself away, and he turned and swept Eva up from under the arms. “Let’s go, little ragamuffin.”
She squealed as she threw her arms around his neck. “I not a wagamuff-in.”
“Sure you are,” he said, ruffling a big hand through her hair before he ushered Colin into the back. Then he swung Eva around and buckled her into the car seat on the passenger side.
While I stalled.
Just watching.
Taking in the most precious scene.
My attention dropped to his mother’s simple ring that I wore on my finger. A wave of nostalgia and old affection pressed in at the edges of my consciousness.
As if it could be real and not this messed-up arrangement we had made.
He turned back to me. “Are you coming, or are you just going to stand there staring?”
Staring seemed like a prudent idea.
Too bad getting closer to him seemed even better. A fool’s game as I ducked my head between my shoulders and scurried up to where he had the front passenger door open and waiting.
Of course, my toe caught on a rock and I fumbled forward. Not enough to fall. Just enough to send a rush of humiliation lighting on my cheeks.
Only Cash grinned.
Soft and slow and adoring, and God, my heart was not going to make it.
I regained balance, though with every step toward him, the air seemed to thicken.
His aura saturating the atmosphere.
Fresh pine and the faint trace of oil and sweat.
Pure masculinity that had me knocking at the knees.
His brutally handsome face lit by the radiance of the sun and his hulking body vibrating with all that strength.
My lungs were barely functioning by the time I made it to within two feet of him. I managed to gather myself enough so I could peer into the backseat.
I frowned a little when I realized all three children were in brand-new car seats and boosters.
“I thought you got the car seats from my car?”
He gave a slight shrug. “Figured I might need them.”
“Oh.” It left me on a wheeze, then I realized there was a different smell coming from the car.
The unmistakable scent of new leather.
My frown only deepened. “Is this your car?”
I realized then I hadn’t seen it before, but it wasn’t like I’d been out rummaging around in his giant detached garage that contained three or four different vehicles plus a bunch of motorcycles.
Something I’d barely peeked at the couple times that he had the massive rolling doors wide open.
“Is now.”
“Since when?”
He gave another nonchalant shrug. “Since this morning.”
My eyes must have bugged out of my head because he was suddenly right in front of me, stealing the air.
“Made a commitment to you, which means I’m going to take every step required until we put this threat to rest.”
“So you bought a new car?” My brow pinched as I looked up at him.
Too bad it was like staring at an eclipse.
Blinding in its darkness.
“The car is nothing, Daisy. It’s the lives inside it that matter.”
My heart squeezed. Squeezed so painfully and beautifully that I nearly lost footing.
Lightheadedness rushed in, though in its wake, I was wrapped in a bough of comfort.
“Thank you, Cash.” I could barely get it out around the fullness in my throat.
“Only thing I want is to take care of you.” A moment’s vulnerability seeped into his harsh features.