Page 43 of Timelessly Ours
I shake off the image and step back inside, needing a cold shower.
Fifteen minutes later, my hand is on my cock and it doesn’t get any better. Because I still see her coming toward me, pressing herself to me with nothing but a towel between us; not only accepting my terms but raising the stakes the only way she knows how.
How could I expect any less from her?
Nicole Kane always fights fire with fire.
Nicole doesn’t speak to me the next morning. Her hair is tied in a ponytail loosely over one shoulder, her expression is flat and her eyes are tired. I can tell she hadn’t slept much. It’s the first time all week I’d walked into the kitchen in the morning and she was actually sitting at the counter across from Rory.
Usually, she’s washing dishes or double-checking Rory’s bag and the morning checklist on the bulletin board.
This morning, she’s made mini pancakes. A little on the clumpy side, but my daughter doesn’t seem to mind. For herself, Nicole made a bowl of blueberries and coffee.
“I don’t want sliced banana,” Rory whines.
Nicole takes a slow casual sip. “Then I’ll give you a whole one.”
“I don’t want any banana. I just want pancakes.”
Setting her coffee down, she glares at my little girl. “You either eat the banana or last night’s broccoli that I let you toss in the trash. I’ll go dig it out right now, it’s your choice,” she growls.
Rory stabs a slice of banana with her little fork and shoves it in her mouth.
Rover abandons his breakfast bowl and is at Nicole’s feet. She absently scratches the top of his head between slow sips.
So far, the dog has been the first to acknowledge me when I walked in—but still doesn’t leave her side. Other than him, no one spares me a glance as I move about the kitchen. Rory out of guilt because I called her out for her behavior last night during bath time. And Nicole because…because I yelled at her and she’s giving me the cold shoulder.
Okay. I didn’t just yell. I was unsympathetic and cold. The probation warning probably didn’t help matters either.
But it’s for the best. If this isn’t working, then everyone suffers. Especially Rory. It’s why I’ve avoided live-in nannies in the past. I don’t need someone moving in here only to be scared off by my daughter.
I walk over to the counter where they both sit and kiss the top of Rory’s head. “I’ll see you later, sweetheart. I’ll be home in time for dinner, okay?”
“Okay, Daddy.”
I glance at Nicole, who’s expression is stoney as she picks off blueberries she doesn’t like, still pretending I’m not in the room. “You should wait until she’s done with her coffee before you argue about anything.”
It’s my first attempt at damage control but it does nothing.
Rory follows my glance and nods. “Like with you on Saturday mornings?”
I chuckle. “Yes. Like with me on weekends.” With a final kiss to my girl, I grab my jacket and head to the arena hours before I need to be there.
I don't miss having a wife. That's for damn sure.
After Claire, that’s the last thing I need. My ex-wife is unfortunately far from gone from my life. Since Angel moved out, her visits have been less frequent, but I’ve had to repeatedly make it very clear that I’m not interested in a friendship much less giving us a second chance.
But there is a very distinct difference here. When Claire and I fought, I never felt the urge to make things better just so I could see her smile again.
12
“Good morning,” the receptionist greets me with a warm smile as usual.
“Morning, Rosie.” I smile back and hand her a pumpkin spice latte. “It was buy one get one free today at Starbucks.”
“No, it wasn’t.” Rosie blushes gratefully.
I wink. “Give this compulsive liar a break, and take the coffee, will ya?”
