Chapter 18
EIGHTEEN
Envious Wrath
Jack
Sweet Jesus. We made it back. I thought I’d die with a hard-on out in the snow. Stiff as my goddamn dick because little Elle wouldn’t leave me alone.
During the entire journey back, I wanted to kiss Elle’s damn soft lips again. I wanted to tackle her into the snow and ram my cock deep inside of her, so I could hear her moan my name with her sweet mouth.
I figured I’d pleasure Elle and be done with her, like eating a meal I had been craving, and then finally, I’d grow sick of her. Nope.
I had my best friend’s daughter on the brain, and I couldn’t fucking shake her.
I swear to fucking God, I had a stiffy the whole time I lugged this damn tree back to Elle’s property. I needed a release, but there was no time to jerk off. The kid was home. Her part-time father had brought her back early. He sat parked in the driveway, waiting for Elle to come home.
Faith opened the car door and made a beeline straight toward me at full speed.
I dropped the trunk into the snow when she hugged me and wouldn’t let go.
Her asshole father’s eyes shot dagger laser beams at me with a red bullseye as he got out of the vehicle and ambled toward us with his arms crossed.
Instant boner killer.
Thank God.
“You did it, Mr. Timber!” Faith exclaimed as she squeezed my leg, and I wanted to shake her off. “You found a Christmas tree!”
Logan Lancaster seared with envy. He squinted; those blue eyes clouded over with jealousy until they resembled tiny beads, and his mouth snarled into an uncomfortable smile. I patted his daughter’s head, and the motherfucker’s nostrils flared.
“I sure did, kid,” I said.
Fuck. This was fun. Give Faith the attention he wouldn’t provide his daughter, and the asshole was ready to blow his top.
“I think I’ll stay awhile,” Logan announced while he watched me and glanced at Elle. “Our family has some catching up to do.”
Logan touched Elle’s wrist. My eye twitched. I glared at his caress of the area I had pinned over top of her head.
Asshole wanted to play? Fine. Game on, dickhead.
I leaned down to Faith and whispered in her ear, “I made sure I picked out a big jolly tree.”
Faith giggled.
Logan took a step toward us, but Elle placed a hand on his chest. “No. It’s time for you to go.”
My eyes shot over to Elle, who caught my stare. She sensed the tension between us, and her glare warned me to cool it, or my ass would be gone too. I couldn’t do that to Faith. I had promised the kid I’d stay, and the way her eyes twinkled up at me with wonder made me not want to screw this up.
Logan argued, “But—”
“Faith. Come say goodbye to Daddy,” Elle interrupted and pulled out of Logan’s grasp. “It’s time for him to leave.”
Faith let go of me.
“Bye, Daddy.” She hugged Logan around his midsection while his eyes never wavered from mine. “See you soon.”
“Sooner than you think.” Logan smiled down at his daughter. “I’m going to swing by tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?” Elle shook her head. “I thought you had an important meeting.”
“I’ll cancel it.” Logan smirked at me and glanced down at Faith. “Spend some more time with my family. We’ll decorate the tree. Right, sweetheart?”
“Sorry, Daddy.” Faith shrugged and smiled up at me. “Mr. Timber is helping us.”
Elle was uneasy. Her body language displayed both anger and anxiety. For once, her beautiful cinnamon eyes pleaded with me for help.
“He is. Is he?” Logan questioned as he crossed his arms in front of his chest and glanced at Elle. “Is this true? Another man is in the—”
Elle grabbed Logan by the shirt and pulled him to the side, out of earshot of her child so Faith couldn’t hear the argument about to take place because of her father’s jealousy.
The poor kid didn’t need to be caught in the middle of her parents’ crap.
I lifted Faith up into my arms, and she giggled with glee.
“Let’s go get Chip,” I said while I carried Faith away and glanced back at Elle. “He needs to do some doggie business.”
“He can’t take my daughter—” Logan’s voice faded with distance.
I hummed a grouchy Christmas song while I walked to help block out Elle’s conversation with her ex, but I caught wind of it.
Logan had the impression I was the new guy in her life.
I threatened him, and the bastard should be intimidated.
I had little Elle screaming for me out in the middle of the woods.
Fuck. I was in too deep. Now I was helping Elle.
I should take the kid back, head back to my place, and lock the damn door behind me. Forget decking the fucking tree, screw supper, and neglect everything to do with my neighbor. Go back to being enemies who wouldn’t dare be around one another, who couldn’t stand the idea of getting close.
I froze on my doorstep with my keys in hand. I put Faith down and shook my head. She gazed back at me with confusion wrinkled on her innocent face, and I hated the thought of breaking her heart, but I had to. This was for the better. For all of us.
“I can’t,” I sighed.
“Don’t worry, Mr. Timber...” Faith took my house key and unlocked the door. “I’ll get your dog.”
Before I could protest any further, Faith turned the doorknob and opened my front door. She welcomed herself inside. Snow trailed onto the floor as she searched for my dog and disappeared while she called out for him. This kid had a damn mind of her own.
Fuck. There went my plan. I couldn’t turn back now.
“Faith!” I yelled out and banged my hand against the door frame. “Chip! Here, boy!”
Suddenly, I heard thumping, and Chip made a mad dash around the living room corner with Faith laughing behind him. His tail wagged back and forth while she tried to catch it. He smiled at me like a giant goofball with excessive slobber dripping onto the floor, and he charged straight for me.
Oh, shit. The Chip attack. I braced for impact.
Chip jumped up paws first and connected with me. I fell backward through the front door and into the snow. His wet tongue connected with my cheek, licking repeatedly in excitement, and Faith giggled behind him.
“Down, boy!” I laughed as I pushed him back by his face and attempted to sit up. “Get off me.”
Chip laid a paw on my chest and barked at me.
“You’re trapped, Mr. Timber.” Faith stroked Chip on the back.
“Okay. Okay.” I petted Chip and surrendered to the greeting. “One last kiss.”
“Me first,” Faith demanded and turned her cheek to Chip.
Accidentally, Chip licked Faith on the nose. She laughed so hard she had tears of joy streaming down her cheeks. She wiped the slobber off her face with the sleeve of her jacket.
“Good job. Me next.” I tapped my chin, Chip laid a big wet one on me, and I ruffled his fur. “Good boy. Now, get. Go take a piss.”
Chip barked and ran over to the inflatable.
My dog lifted his leg and took a leak right on a self-serving nemesis character.
Attaboy, Chip. I hate the mayor too. He was a pompous ass.
I sat up in time to hear a car engine roar to life and exhaust fumes smoke out of the muffler on Logan’s vehicle. Elle stood with her hands on her hips while her ex backed out of her driveway and sped off. He was pissed.
I got up, brushed snow off me, and patted Chip on the head when he rushed back to me. He wagged his tail and leaned his head into Faith while she gave him love. There was no way he’d go back into the house without her.
Elle turned toward us and shrugged her shoulders. “Who’s ready to order supper?”
“Me!” Faith bounced up and down with her hand high in the air.
Elle had dealt with her ex and stood her ground. She didn’t cave, and I was damn proud of her. I flashed her a smile.
Fuck. I made little Elle blush. Goddamn it.
I’d have an uncomfortable boner in no time.
Chip barked at Elle several times, and she flashed him the cutest grin. Her cheeks were all rosy while she bent down to my dog’s level and clapped at him to come. He didn’t hesitate and ran in for some affection.
“Well, we won’t get rid of Chip anytime soon.” I shrugged with a chuckle and rubbed my hands. “He’ll want some food too. What’s on the menu, ladies?”
Faith and Elle answered in unison, “Pizza!”
Perfect. A slice of heaven with cheese, pepperoni, and meat. Nothing could go wrong. Dinner with my neighbor and her daughter wouldn’t hurt anyone. All I had to do was stop my damn heart from racing every time Elle looked at me with unspeakable lust in her eyes.