Chapter 21 #2
Vissarian chuckled again. “I thought that might make your day. You were right about the morals clause. It was explained to Damien and his manager in black and white.”
“Any idea of the person in the photograph who trashed the other house?”
“Not yet. We’ll find him.”
I only hoped he was right. If he hadn’t been found when I returned, I would hunt him down like a damn dog.
As soon as I ended the call, I headed up the stairs toward Nina’s room, stopping just outside the door.
I’d been lucky in that I’d managed to convince her teacher to send Nina’s lesson plans via email. She’d been reluctant at first since Lainey hadn’t taught in years, but she relented after I played the sympathy card. Since everyone had heard about the attack, that had bought me cred points.
Plus, it didn’t hurt that our family had given millions to the private school.
Hearing Lainey’s voice always caused the same reaction. My breath hitched and the desire began to roll out of control. I’d learned to think of some pretty awful stuff to block out my desire when doing family time. But it was tough.
Very tough.
“That is exactly right. See?” Lainey said, her tone entirely different. “You didn’t think you liked math.”
“Why are you so good at it?”
“I dunno. Just something I picked up in school.” She changed her voice and whatever she was doing was making my little girl laugh. I hadn’t heard Nina so happy since I could remember.
She’d turned into a little adult when I hadn’t been looking, taking care of me when it should have been the other way around. I moved closer, taking a peek.
The two of them were crowded around a desk with Nina’s laptop. There were papers and several pencils on the surface. Lainey was using old-fashioned methods of teaching whatever the hell Nina was learning in math.
I was a terrible father. I had no clue. The few times I’d tried to help her with homework had turned into a colossal failure.
“What about art class?” Nina asked in a voice I knew all too well. It was the princess voice used when she’d been caught doing something wrong.
“Not yet. Not until you read me the passage in the book I mentioned and tell me what it’s about.”
“Ah. Do I have to?”
Her little face was scrunched up. She wasn’t used to someone who didn’t cave, giving her exactly what she wanted.
It was damn difficult not to laugh. From where I stood, I noticed a beautiful drawing on an easel, vibrant in color.
I guess I hadn’t paid close enough attention to the fact that my daughter was a budding artist.
The representation of the three of us was… magical.
And haunting.
Yet it tugged at my heartstrings. Especially when Nina started reading. It didn’t matter the story, what I heard was Selena’s voice the few times she’d read to me.
It struck me as hard as everything else had. I’d wasted so much goddamn time. If I didn’t stop now, both my life and hers would change dramatically.
When Nina was close to finishing, Lainey took over, helping her pronounce several words. I could tell Nina was excited that she’d finished the passage. As smart as my daughter was, she’d had trouble reading in public.
“That was amazing!” Lainey said and threw her arms around Nina’s shoulders.
“You think so?”
“I do. I think you’re going to be ready for reading that to your daddy for his birthday.”
What the fuck? My birthday. I did a few calculations in my mind. That was in two days. Well… Shit. I backed away, realizing I’d just spoiled a surprise.
A few seconds later, I pretended like I was on the phone as I walked toward the door, ending the fake call just before knocking.
“Daddy. Don’t come in.”
When Nina raced toward the easel, Lainey came rushing toward me, winking as she ushered me out.
“No peeking. You never come up here.” Lainey pushed me back even further into the hallway until I almost tripped.
My reaction? I grabbed her, pulling us both against the wall until she was firmly placed in my arms. “It is my house.”
“What do you think you’re doing?” she demanded as she wiggled in my hold.
“Just keeping you from falling.”
“Uh-huh. You heard and you saw the picture.”
I placed my finger across my lips. “Shush. I won’t tell if you won’t tell.”
“Maybe you can convince me to keep your secret, but it will cost you.”
Narrowing my eyes, I hemmed and hawed a little. “Would a trip into town and maybe ice cream and a little shopping help? I also heard there’s a petting zoo.”
Nina squealed, racing from the room, throwing herself into my arms.
“I think that’s a yes,” Lainey whispered, her smile a reminder that my brother was right. I’d already fallen hard for this woman.
Standing silently for a moment, seeing the way she continued to interact with my daughter brought several emotions and another intense ache in my heart.
Yet this time, instead of feeling little more than sadness or the same level of anger that had never vanished, I felt something I’d never expected.
Hope.
“Okay, girls. Let’s pack it up and get ready. Time to have a little fun.”
“Dad. Could we get an alpaca when we go home?”
Nina’s question was so sincere, said without any amusement, and I didn’t react at first. Until the question settled in. Coughing, the entire lick of ice cream from the already dripping cone spewed all over my face.
The girls immediately shifted into a fit of giggles.
Lainey pressed the back of her hand across her mouth, laughing so hard she almost dropped her cone. Nina stumbled backward on purpose, her giggle turning into an adorable little snort.
Meanwhile, I licked my lips, shifting my very pointed gaze from one to another. “Wha… what did you ask?”
Without hesitation, Lainey stepped forward, wrapping her long fingers around my arm holding the cone and rising onto her tiptoes. In one fell swoop she pressed her lips against mine, darting out her tongue and licking away the drops.
Almost instantly, the heat spiraled between us and I wrapped my arm around her, pulling her close. For a few precious seconds, there was no one else around. Just the two of us. Just the intense chemistry. Just the fire.
The kiss became even more passionate, her tongue finding mine. The taste of her was sweet and sinful.
“Dad. Your ice cream is melting.”
Nina’s voice jarred both of us. Lainey pulled away, a tiny gasp slipping from her lips as she realized she’d kissed me in front of my daughter for the first time. With her eyes open wide, the hint of horror creating a luminous glow, my hunger only rocketed way past the surface.
“Mmmm… I think I prefer your choice of ice cream to mine.”
My words were laced with all kinds of innuendos and without missing a beat, Lainey smashed her cone into my face.
Now the two of them were close to becoming hysterical.
“I’m going to get you both for this.” My statement was muffled as I tried to wipe away the chilly goo with the back of my hand.
“You were kissing. I caught you. My daddy has a girlfriend. My daddy has a girlfriend.” Nina’s singsong voice carried to just about anyone in close proximity.
A sudden wash of embarrassment tickled Lainey’s face with a hint of the perfect shade of rose. She inched closer again as if worried what I would do, her eyes never leaving mine as she used her handful of napkins to wipe my face. The action was subtle yet sexy as hell.
Thank God the ice cream cooled me off or I’d be in some kind of trouble.
I glanced over my shoulder at Bernie and Tony, both men assigned to follow us. They were grinning like loons. Maybe it was overkill to have them as security, but no matter the lack of activity and zero threats made, I wasn’t taking any chances.
Not with the two people I cared about the most.
“I pegged it,” Nina added.
“What?” I managed.
“You’re getting married. You’re getting married. I’m going to have a new mommy.”
As had occurred before with Nina’s declaration, Lainey and I looked at each other.
Questioning.
Wondering.
And hell, maybe hoping. Was that ridiculous at this point? You bet. There were far too many reasons the relationship wouldn’t work but for now, we could pretend. And enjoy.
“He couldn’t handle having me around all the time, Nina. You know how your father is.” Lainey’s voice dripped of sarcasm and we both glanced at my daughter.
Who promptly rolled her eyes, nodding profusely. “Oh, yeah. You’re right. Daddy is a softie.”
I did so enjoy hearing them laugh. As if they didn’t have a care in the world. As if they both knew I would do anything to protect them.
And I would.
Something felt off, a strange sense of instinct rolling into my system. I blocked out all sound and scanned the area around the quaint square of shops and eateries, searching for the reason for the interruption.
Immediately both men sensed my discord, shoring their shoulders and both doing the same thing I was doing.
The touch of Lainey’s hand on mine dragged my attention back to where it should be. “What’s wrong?” The hint of fear in her voice grabbed a claw full of anger.
“Nothing. I heard a noise. That was it.” Even as I tried to pass it off, her eyebrows were raised, her mouth twisting in frustration or anxiety.
“You need to relax. Everything is fine. We have a petting zoo to head to. Remember? You promised.”
Just trying to laugh it off was not my strong suit, but I did my best. “You are absolutely right. Are you guys ready to see the alpacas?”
“Don’t forget the donkeys and they have ponies. And chickens. I think a pig, but I don’t want to have a pig at the house. I think she’d be too big.”
The return to normalcy and family activity.
Just like any father.
Yet the nagging remained.