Chapter 32
Two weeks later, Ben held tightly to McKenzie, cradling her to his chest as he stared hard at Gracie and Fraze. “And Delilah already told you where the extra milk is?”
“Yes, she told us everything,” Fraze said in an exasperated voice.
“Milk is in the freezer, favorite blanket is in the crib.” Gracie looked between the two of them with amusement. “If she starts freaking out, we take her for a walk outside and let her look at the trees.”
Ben couldn’t seem to let go of McKenzie.
Delilah stood by their front door, looking gorgeous in a red sleeveless dress. She and McKenzie had moved in the very next day after Kyle and Damien had been defeated. She’d also taken the knife to Marlana’s house for safekeeping—it had been Delilah’s idea. “I just don’t want it around if it’s going to attract more trouble. Especially not with McKenzie here.”
“Ben, come on,” Delilah said, grinning at him with lips stained the same color as her dress. “We have reservations.”
McKenzie made a gurgling sound and patted Ben’s cheek.
Fuck reservations. He needed to make sure McKenzie had the best care and protection possible while they were away. It was his and Delilah’s first official date—a romantic dinner at a mountain restaurant.
Fraze reached for the infant, but Ben couldn’t seem to let go of her.
“Ben,” Delilah said. She twirled around in a way that made his cock twitch.
Finally, Ben looked at Gracie. “You promise you’ll take care of her?”
“Dude, you’re going to be gone for a total of three hours,” Fraze said.
“I promise,” Gracie said, her dark eyes solemn.
Fraze still had his arms outstretched, but Ben placed McKenzie in Gracie’s arms.
“It’s like I’m not even here,” Fraze complained. “You know I’m gonna hold that baby as soon as you leave.”
Ben growled at him, but his heart wasn’t in it. “Thanks for watching her,” he said. “Just remember, if she gets fussy—”
“Take her outside, let her look at the trees. Got it,” Fraze said.
Delilah laughed as Ben joined her on the porch.
“What?” Ben asked, closing the door behind him.
Delilah walked to Ben’s new SUV—red like his truck. Someone had told him it was the safest vehicle on the market. He’d traded in his truck for this, and he’d bought a second one for Delilah in a midnight blue to match the tattoos on her arms.
She was still grinning at him with laughter in her gorgeous brown eyes.
“What?” he asked again.
She climbed into the car, tucking the fabric of her skirt around those delectable legs. “Just, when I first showed up here in your driveway, I never would’ve thought you’d have separation anxiety for McKenzie.”
“I don’t have separation anxiety—”
Ben’s phone buzzed in his pocket. Shit, was that Fraze and Gracie already? Had something gone wrong? He froze, unsure if he should run back to the house or answer the call. He pulled the phone out and stared at the screen.
It wasn’t Gracie or Fraze.
“Who is it?” Delilah asked. “You look worried.”
“It’s…it’s Doug.” Ben swiped the screen to answer the call.
“Hey asshole,” Doug said.
Ben sighed. Would his twin ever grow up? “What?”
“I’m coming home. Things aren’t working out too well here in Idaho.”
It was probably mean of him, but Ben couldn’t help laughing. “Sure, bro, you’re welcome to come back. Just know that your bedroom is completely filled with your niece’s baby gear.”
There was a pause. Then, “You’ve gotta be fucking kidding me.”
“Nope.”
“Rafe told me Chase’s baby and the baby mama were staying with you temporarily. I thought they’d be out by now.”
Ben stood next to Delilah’s open car door, then bent his head to kiss her smiling mouth. “They’re living with me now. Delilah’s my mate.”
“That’s twisted, dude.”
“Not at all, actually.”
“Never mind, I’m staying here,” Doug said.
“Fine by me.”
Doug swore and hung up. Ben smiled at his phone. Doug would change his mind and come back eventually. Ben couldn’t wait to see Doug trying to deal with a baby in the house. He had a feeling Doug would find his own place as soon as possible.
“Now, were you teasing your brother?” Delilah asked.
Ben felt himself smile. “Maybe.”
“Is that the kind of thing you can mark off in your calendar?” she asked, her tone vaguely reprimanding.
“Nope.”
She held her hand out. “Let me see that calendar.”
“Why?” He pulled it from his back pocket and gave it to her.
She flipped through to the current month and eyed the empty squares. Then she brought the calendar to her lips and pressed a perfect kiss to it. Her lipstick stained the page.
“As of now,” she said, “you’ve redeemed yourself, Ben. You never had to do this—only an already good person would have even attempted it.”
He could only gaze at her. How did she know that he’d needed someone to say that?
Delilah reached for Ben’s face and pulled him down to her. Those red lips of hers were so soft and she tasted so good, like vanilla and sugar…
Someone knocked on the driver’s window. Ben looked up with a growl to see Fraze standing there, McKenzie in his arms.
Laughing, Fraze said, “We humbly request that you take the sexy shenanigans—Gracie’s words, not mine—to another locale before you scar this poor child’s mind. And ours.”
Ben kissed Delilah one more time on the mouth just to spite Fraze, then pulled back, grinning at her.
Fraze walked away, laughing.
Ben gazed at his mate fondly. “Ready for our first real date?”
“Always ready, with you.”
* * *
Savage Penance,the next book in the Fierce Mates: Corona Pride series, also features a bad alpha dad—Ben’s twin brother, Doug! Grab it here, or read on for a little taste.
Preview of Savage Penance
The truck’s cab was full of tense quiet as Doug pulled into the drive. Ben’s jaw was clenched—he was pissed.
“Look, I was an asshole,” Doug said. “I still am. I’m never gonna be as good as you and I sure as hell will not ever be as good as Chase. So I’m gonna check on the mom, get her info, and pass it on to Marlana. Then I’m peacing the fuck out of Montana.”
“You’re such an idiot,” Ben said.
Doug nodded. It wasn’t news to him. He parked the truck and started to climb out.
Ben stayed put. “First off, you can’t just abandon your daughter or son. It’s a dick move.”
“They’re better off without me.”
“Right now, I don’t doubt that,” Ben growled, “but it’s still a dick move. Second, you’re looking in the wrong place.”
Doug opened his mouth to retort, but froze, then sputtered, “What do you mean?”
“Looking for the mom of a toddler…in a fuckin’ bar?” Ben laughed.
“It’s where we met,” Doug said, frowning.
“Yeah, but single moms generally don’t hang out in bars. Then again, she might not be single.”
A flare of rage ignited in Doug’s chest. “What?”
“She could have a husband now, or a boyfriend,” Ben said, oblivious to Doug’s confusing jumble of feelings. “Either way, she’s unlikely to go to a bar when she has a little kid at home. I’m not saying she won’t, but there are better places to look for her.”
“Like where?”
Ben climbed out of the truck and slammed the door. Doug met him on the other side.
“Like daycares,” Ben said. “Parks. Library song and story time.”
“Library song and story time?”
Ben nodded.
“Have you been to library song and story time?” Doug asked, narrowing his eyes.
“Yes, I go every week.”
Horrified, Doug stammered, “Why?”
* * *