“You found a good use for your art,” I said, hoping my comment would draw her interest. The heavy sculpture of a human form had made a good club.

  “When I made that piece,” she said, “I didn’t realize it would double as a weapon. Ironically, it’s the best artwork I’ve produced. And it didn’t even get damaged.”

  “It’s definitely the most practical,” I said, and her eyes dimmed slightly. Damn, I hadn’t meant to insult her art. “And beautiful,” I added.

  “Thanks.” Her voice was low as she turned her face away from me.

  I had to tamp down on my desire to take her in my arms. Would she come to me? Would she let me hold her as I had earlier in the day? What would happen if I told her how much I loved her? If she had that knowledge, would it change her plans, whatever those were?

  But trapping her there wasn’t fair to her, so I steeled my heart and forced myself to speak of other things. “I suppose I should fill you in on the situation,” I said.

  “Is John Stout in jail?” she asked.

  “Locked up,” I confirmed. “You don’t need to worry about him for a while—or the other guy either.” I explained about their smuggling ring and all the charges that they were now facing.

  She sighed. “That’s good news, at least.”

  She swung her head so our eyes met. I could never excuse the way Stout had harassed and stalked Lily, but I understood how a man could be attracted to her, attracted enough to make some questionable choices. God knows I had. I’d gone into a relationship with her knowing it had no future, knowing it was counter to my own goals in life, unable to stop myself. Those thoughts roared through my head, but I didn’t say them. I was recounting the facts for her to reassure her that this was all over.

  “I should have done more to make sure you were safe here. If I’d been more careful, I could have ended this mess sooner.”

  “This isn’t your fault,” Lily declared, leaning closer to me. “Not at all. You saved me today. I may have clubbed Stout over the head, but I couldn’t have escaped both of those men.”

  “You shouldn’t underestimate yourself,” I said, but I was damn glad I’d been there anyway. I didn’t want to think about what might have happened to her if Stout had gotten to her. And since he’d been planning to go on the run, there’s no telling whether I ever would have been able to find her. I might still be losing her to the internship in New York, but at least I’d know that she was safe and happy. That was what really mattered. “I guess that’s it.” I didn’t want to go to bed, not without her, but that phase of our relationship was over. Before I could rise, though, she caught my arm, preventing me.

  “I have something to say,” she said. “This might not be the best time, but I don’t want to wait any longer.”

  I steeled myself, waiting for the inevitable and wondering why it had to be tonight. I knew what was coming. She was officially giving me her notice that she was leaving. And I was going to have to let her go, even wish her well. Christ, that was going to be hard. “Okay.”

  “I’ve been struggling with the decision about the internship. A few months ago, I would have dropped everything to go,” she admitted. “But now…” She focused on her hands, clasped in her lap, while she spoke. “Now, everything has changed.”

  “How so?” I asked, feeling a glimmer of selfish hope.

  “I told you when I first met you that I couldn’t commit to being a nanny long term because I was still trying to figure out what in life would truly make me feel happy and fulfilled. And now I’m sure I know what I need.” She looked me in the eye. “You and Sofia.”

  A conflict raged in my chest. I could have her in my life, but at what price? She’d have to give up an amazing opportunity at the career that she wanted. I couldn’t do that to her.

  Slowly, I shook my head. “I don’t want to get in the way of your dream.”

  “Aren’t you hearing me?” Her soft voice was growing in strength. “The internship is not my dream.”

  “Not the internship itself, no—but it’s a foot in the door to the comic book world. That’s what you want,” I argued, wondering why even as the words came out of my mouth.

  “That’s what I used to think, but now I’m not so sure. I do love art—that has always been true. And I want to keep working to develop my skills. But are comic books really the right medium for me? I love to draw, I love to paint, I love to sculpt—I just want to create art out of what I see, what brings me joy. Being a comic book artist is all about creating characters and stories, and that’s not the part of art creation that really grabs me. I think the reason I assumed it was right for me was because I had my aunt’s example. She was proof that you could be an artist, have a successful career, and be happy. But her way is not the only way. I need to find my own path for my art. And before you ask, I don’t know what that is yet. I’m still figuring it out. I do know one thing, though: I know that whatever future I have, I’ll only be happy if you and Sofia are part of it. A big part of it.”

  When she ended her speech, her cheeks were pink. I could relate. I forced myself to suck in a breath as I processed the full force of what she’d said. She intended to stay with us, with me. Everything else was secondary to that.

  I reached for her, hauling her onto my lap.

  “Your arm,” she cautioned, even as she put hers around my neck.

  “Isn’t bothering me a bit,” I said, beginning a kiss that held all the passion I’d pent up during the past days. I nipped at her lips before sliding my tongue into her mouth. I groaned at the contact. I wanted more of that, more arousing friction between us, everywhere between us. I loosened her shirt from her jeans, tugging it upward and tossing it behind me.

  “Do you want to go upstairs?” she asked between kisses. She knew my preference for making love in bed, but I was thinking the living room couch was looking just fine. We’d get to my bed later.

  “Here,” I said, unsnapping her front-closure bra. She shimmied out of it, the movement of her breasts ramping up my desire. As if that needed any help. I was hard and ready to enter her, but I had so many things I wanted to do first.

  “That’s unlike you,” she commented as she helped me out of my T-shirt, easing the sleeve over my bandaged arm.

  “I’ve loosened up,” I said.

  She leaned back, studying me. “Have you? Or have I just come to understand you? I think inside,” her fingers walked up my bare chest, “you wanted some color in your life, some clutter, strange clay creatures baking in the oven, and finger paintings.”

  “I think I did,” I agreed, “and you’ve brought them to me. Now that I’ve had them—and you—I can’t live without them.”

  “You won’t have to,” she said. It wasn’t like me to need assurances, but she seemed to understand that tonight I needed to hear the words. “I promise I’ll be here for as long as you want me.”

  Forever? I wanted to ask, but that question could wait for another time, for the perfect time. My lips slowly tracked down her neck to the crook of her shoulder as my hands slid past the waistband of her low-waisted jeans to cup her butt.

  “Less clothes,” she murmured and stood to undo her jeans. She pushed them down her hips with a seductive wiggle. I thought about helping, but I was enjoying the show as her pink panties decorated with little artist palettes were revealed.

  “Cute.” I grinned. “Those are so you. Now, take them off.” A devilish gleam showed in her eyes at my command. By the time her panties were on the floor, my dick was pressed painfully against my zipper. “My turn.” I rose and worked my pants down, taking my boxers along with them to save time. I looked at her and caught her smiling as her gaze dipped to my erection.

  “I think I’d like to sculpt you,” she said, reaching out to stroke me, “just like this.”

  “You couldn’t exhibit that anywhere,” I pointed out, wildly turned on by her suggestion.

  “It would be just for us. I’d have to study you very closely. That’s the way with artists, you know. We like to examine and get hands on with our subject matter.” She tossed a pillow on the floor and dropped to her knees in front of me. Her hands gripped the backs of my thighs as she drew my dick into her mouth. When she dragged her teeth the length of me, it was all I could do to stay upright.

  “Get a good enough look?” I gritted out a few minutes later. At some point, I’d sunk my hands into her thick hair. She put one openmouthed kiss on the tip before looking up at me. God, she was beautiful and sexy—and mine.

  “For now.” She rose and placed her hands on my shoulders, pushing me down on the couch. I went willingly. When I stretched the length of it, she lay on top of me, rubbing her cunt against my erection. “I like that,” she breathed as she dragged her breasts against my chest, “and this.”

  She had led our lovemaking for long enough. I was enjoying the hell out of it, but I wanted to pleasure her. I said a word of thanks for long arms as I slid my hands over her butt and touched her between her thighs from the back. She gasped in surprise, but I didn’t relent, playing with her as she had me. Finally, when she was panting my name, I reached over to snag my jeans so I could get the condom out of my wallet. Once it was in place, I guided her onto my erection.

  We moved together as one, pleasuring and pushing, kissing and nipping, until our orgasms hit at the same time, rocketing through us.

  Afterward, she rested her head against my chest, falling asleep almost immediately. I grabbed an Afghan and draped it over us. I’d take her upstairs soon, but I wanted her to rest first. I had plans for the remainder of the night, plans to show her how much she meant to me.

  18

  COLIN

  “I’m going to do it, sir. I’m going to take the step you always thought possible for me.” I stood in front of the Admiral’s gravestone. I often visited the final resting place of the man who had taken a chance on three unruly juveniles. I knew my brothers visited, too. On the Admiral’s birthday, all of us who were in town came together. The Admiral had done more than raise us. He’d made us who we were as adults by offering tough love and amazing empathy.

  Being a parent myself now, I had new respect for the old guy who had given up his leisurely retirement years for us, the Vale brothers. The childless man had understood us as individuals, made sure we had what we needed. For me, the Admiral had chosen the game of bridge to challenge my analytical mind and channel my attention. And he’d listened to me, recognizing my need for a family.

  “I got the family I always wanted. I love my brothers—you know that—but my family is even bigger now. The McCallisters are my cousins—and my friends. Plus, I’ve got a daughter who is truly mine, even if I’m not her biological father. And I have a woman—Lily, you’d like her—who’ll be my wife, I hope.” I had plans to propose that very evening. “So I get to be a husband and a dad and have the storybook family I wanted so much as a kid. You always knew that was possible for me, even when I couldn’t see it myself.”

  I chuckled and looked around the cemetery, where azaleas were in bloom, spreading their pink and white petals across the grass. “My family didn’t happen in the usual way, but I wouldn’t change anything about what I have. Well, except add a few more kids, if Lily’s willing.” I thought she would be, since she was so great with children, but I wanted her to be free, too, to pursue her dreams. We’d make it all work out somehow. I no longer doubted that was possible.

  “I hope, sir,” I said, focusing on the grave again, “that I can be half the father to my kids that you were to Zach, Alex, and me. Half of what you did would be damn special.” I could almost hear the old guy’s voice arguing with me, telling me that I’d be the best father my children could ever wish for. That’s what the Admiral would say. For the first time in my life, I believed it.

  “Wish me luck, sir. It’s time to propose and have a wedding.” I was sure Lily would accept. She’d promised me on the night I’d been shot that she’d stay with me for as long as I wanted her. Since that was forever, since I loved her more deeply than I would have thought possible, I felt sure we’d be together and create the family of my dreams, our dreams.

  “I’ll let you know how it goes,” I said before resting my hand on the stone marker for a moment.

  As I walked away, I smiled in anticipation of what the day would bring. My next stop was to pick up Lily from her art class and drop her off at Chance’s house, where Sofia was already playing with Ray. Just as I rolled into the parking lot, Lily came out of the building. Her smile was wide as she said goodbye to her classmates and headed for my truck.

  How the hell had I gotten so lucky as to find her? Well, I hadn’t really found her. I’d advertised for a nanny, she’d shown up on my doorstep, and then she’d changed my life. I got out to help her stow her bag of supplies in the back.

  “Good class?” I asked after I kissed her. She was always happiest after leaving the sculpting classes. She said she hadn’t decided which medium of art she enjoyed most, but I could tell.

  “Awesome. I’m working on something special.” She had an enigmatic smile on her face.

  “What?” I imagined a nude statue of myself and hoped she wasn’t creating that in class for all her classmates to see.

  “Not that.” She blushed, seeming to read my thoughts, which happened a lot. “Something else for you, though.” I opened the truck door for her. Once she was in, I leaned closer.

  “Tell me,” I whispered, brushing my lips lightly against hers.

  “Only if you tell me what you’ve got planned for tonight.” Her hand stroked the side of my neck—a sensitive spot for me, and she knew it.

  “Nope.” She’d been trying to wheedle the information out of me ever since I’d asked her to block off the evening for a special event.

  She gave a little shrug. “I guess we’ll both have to be curious, then.”

  I got in and started driving toward my cousin’s house, unwilling to give up. “Is it something you can use for self-defense?” I teased.

  “It’s heavy enough to do some damage, I suppose. That’s the only clue you’re getting, by the way.” When I didn’t comment, she huffed. “I expect one clue about tonight in exchange.”

  “You should establish the rules of a bargain before giving information. I’m under no obligation, since I didn’t agree to reveal anything.” Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her cross her arms over her chest. “In the spirit of goodwill, however, I guess I could offer something.”

  “What?” She pounced.

  “It’s a formal occasion. There are new dresses waiting at Chance’s house for you and Sofia.”

  “You bought us clothes?” she exclaimed.

  “With Mandy and Carolyn’s assistance,” I clarified. I might have managed something for Sofia, since I’d purchased clothes for her before. Figuring out a style and size for Lily was a complete mystery. Mandy and Carolyn had saved my bacon on that one.

  “Now I’m even more curious about what you’ve got planned, but you’ve given me a clue, so I’ll be satisfied for now,” she said as we pulled into my brother’s driveway.

  As soon as we got out of the truck, Sofia burst from the house and ran toward us. She veered to Lily first, who picked her up and gave her a hug.

  “How’s my girl?” Lily asked, kissing Sofia’s cheek.

  I loved it that Lily said those words to Sofia. I wasn’t the sentimental type, but my heart melted when I heard them.

  Sofia whispered something to Lily.

  “Really?” Lily responded with exaggerated surprise.

  “What’d she say?” I asked.

  Lily and Sofia exchanged a glance. “That’s a secret between us girls. Say bye-bye to Daddy. We’ll see him again later today.” Lily passed Sofia to me, and my daughter embraced me, planting a smacking kiss on my face.

  “I’ll see you both soon.” I put my other arm around Lily, holding both of them for a moment and fighting the temptation to stay with them. But I wanted to stick to the plan I’d carefully devised and executed over the past week.

  Lily

  “Let me see,” Sofia said as soon as Colin’s truck was gone from sight.

  Pleased that she had kept the secret, I pulled the piece of pottery I’d crafted for Colin from my bag. It was a carefully rendered ace of hearts on one side. On the reverse, the pattern replicated one of the decks of cards that Colin held so dear. I had started it a few weeks earlier, and at one point I’d thought it might be my parting gift to Colin. Now I knew it would be something else.

  “Will your daddy like it?” I asked.

  Sofia nodded and gingerly touched both sides before smiling up at me. I slipped it back in the bag, waiting for the perfect opportunity to give it to him. Maybe that night; maybe I’d wait for an even more special occasion.

  During the afternoon, I chatted with Mandy while the kids played and napped. Mandy didn’t mention anything about fancy dresses until five o’clock, when she made a show of checking her watch.

  “You and Sofia have one hour to get ready,” she announced. “Go have a look in the spare bedroom.”

  Taking Sofia by the hand, I climbed the stairs and went to the front room. On the bed, two dresses were laid out. I wasn’t sure what I’d expected, but it wasn’t this. Mine was a true formal, the kind of dress I might wear to a fancy New Year’s Eve party. Sofia’s was petal pink with white roses embroidered on the bodice. The skirt had layers of ruffles going to the floor.

  Sofia squealed in delight and rushed to touch the fancy dress. Next to it was a pink headband and white patent leather shoes with a little matching purse.

  “I think she likes it,” Mandy commented from the doorway. “What do you think of yours?”

  Stunning was what I thought. It was jade green with a sequined halter-style bodice and a column skirt that went to the floor. The skirt might have been plain but for a cascade of ruffles that went down one side, adding a little sassiness and elegance. I loved it.

  “Beautiful,” I said, picking the gown up to find a pair of black sling-back heels and a jewelry box from Carolyn’s store, All That Sparkles.

 

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