If there were any doubt about the connection and chemistry between us, tonight obliterated it.Being inside of her felt like home. It felt like where I was always meant to be. And it was hands down the best sex of my life. I’ve nevercome so hard in my life. For a second, I thought her tight pussy was going to break my goddamn dick.
I know she doesn’t want to feel any of this. I know she’s scared. She says it’s because she will hurt Lyra and me,but the truth is she’s scared we’ll hurt her.She thinks she doesn’t deserve happiness and love. She thinks she is too damaged.
I’m going to show her I love those broken pieces. She’s not the same girl from all those years ago. Part of her is gone forever, but what’s been left behind is a graceful strength she doesn’t realize she has. That girl Maddox and Ryder nicknamed ‘Brat’ because she tended to throw fits when she didn’t get her way has been replaced by a sensitive and compassionate woman that’s seen too much.
What happened shattered her spirit. I would give anything to change that.But thenaïveté and innocence that was stolen have been replaced by resilience and determination.Her spirit may have been shattered, but she has risen from the ashes, and those scars are evidence of her strength, making her that much more beautiful.
She doesn’t see any of it. She only sees the panic and fear that cripple her. She only holds the guilt andregret of the things that happened. But she’ll see soon enough. I’ll make sure of it.
I must finally fall asleep because a tugging on my arm has me blinking against the light coming into the room. Two big blue eyes give me a wide grin around the fingers in her mouth. “I watch toons with you, Daddy?”
I open my arm that’s not wrapped around Cara, inviting her in. She wastes no timeclaiming her favorite spot. I look to the two girls in each arm,and I swear to God I’d give up everything else in the world to keep this forever.To stay cocooned in this bubble where it’s just us, completely separate from the rest of the world.“We can’t watch toons in here. Cara is still sleeping,” I whisper to her.
Lyra looks atCara with a frown. “I not like Cara sweeping with you.”
My browsdip between my eyes. I’m not going to let a toddler dictate my relationships, but thatdoesn’t mean her words don’t affect me. Especially since I thought she loved Cara.“Why don’t you like it?”
“Betuz,” she huffs with an overdramatic eye roll that could give a teenager a run for their money. “I wantsher to sweeps with me.”
I bit the inside of my cheek to keepthe laugh from coming out. The tightness that was in my chest moments ago evaporates into warmth and fullness. “I thought big girls slept by themselves,” I tease a little.
“Big boys does too, Daddy,” she says with way too much sarcasm and sass for such a little thing.
Well damn.
Not sure how to argue with that.
“Yeah. That’s true, but Cara gets scared when she’s alone,” I try to explain in a way she might accept.
“She can sweep with me. She not be alone with me.”
Shit. I’m gonna have to fight my own kid for the girl because Cara doesn’t know it yet, but she’s staying in my bed. If I have to tie her ass to the bed, she’s not sleeping anywhere else again. Ever.
Except, I got nothing. No argument that my too-smart toddler would understand. I feel Cara vibrate with silent laughterbeside me. I look at her. Her eyes are closed. Her face is nearly expressionless. Except for the slight twitch at the corner of her mouth, I’d think she was still sleeping.
“Go to the front and find your crayons. I’ll come turn on cartoons in just a minute,” I tell her with a kiss on her head.
She pouts because that’s not what she wants, but she actually does what I say without a tantrum. When the door shuts behind her, Cara begins to giggle.
I move quickly, dragging her body under mine. Exactly where she belongs. Unless it’s on top of me. “You really are a brat,” I tease with a nip to her chin.
“Oh my God,” her giggles increase. “A two-year-old just outsmarted you.”
“She’ll be three in a month,” I argue like that makes it better. “Why didn’t you help?”
“Are you kidding? I had no argument for her. Looks like you have competition, Mr. Allen.”
“I’ve got news for you,Ms. Pierce. Either way,I win. You don’t get the kid without the daddy.”
She bites her lip with a smile,but I see the shadows rolling in. I press my forehead to herswith a sigh. “Don’t do that,” I tell her, knowing where her mind goes. “You’re not bad for her.You’ve been beyond great for her.If I thought she wouldn’t be safe or cared for with you, I would never have let yoube responsible for her.”
She gives me a doubtful smile. She rubs herself against the erection laying between us, making me groan. “I have a feeling I know why you accepted so quickly.”
I press my body further into her, grinding myself into her. This time she groans,and I smirk. “One, just because I was thinking with my jealous dick doesn’t mean I didn’t consider Lyra.Two, if I didn’t have a little girl waiting on me in there,I’d have your ass for that little stunt.”
“Jealous?” Her brows furrow. Mine mimic her not understanding what she’s asking. “You saidyour ‘jealous dick.’What were you jealous of?”
“It doesn’t matter,” I laugh. “Get you cute ass in the shower while I take care of the princess.”
