Logan Lancaster rolled down his window and ran a hand through dirty blond hair that was cut way too short. He’d probably call the hairstyle fresh while I viewed it as ugly. He eyed me with confusion, but the arrogant dick cracked a pearly white smile and waved at me.
“Hey, Mr. Timber!” Logan called out and honked the horn. “Come on, Faith! Time’s wasting!”
Son of a—
“In a minute, Daddy!” Faith answered.
I ignored Logan and didn’t return a gracious gesture. Instead, I gave him an unimpressed grumble, but only little Elle heard me because she whacked my shoulder gently with the back of her hand. My eyes never wavered from the motherfucker who was late to pick up his daughter and expected her to be at his beck and call.
“Behave,” Noelle warned as she pointed her index finger at me and turned to her daughter. “Daddy’s waiting, sweetie. Say goodbye to Mr. Timber.”
“Only if he promises to stay later.” Faith crossed her arms over her chest and eyed me up. “The least you can do is have supper with us.”
Jesus. This kid was good. Not only was she a sweet talker, but she also had sass like her mother. She drove a hard bargain too, with those cute little rosy cheeks pinched up into dimples and her hazelnut gaze sparkling at me. If I didn’t agree to her terms, Faith wasn’t budging, and Noelle shot daggers into me.
Fuck. My fucking cock jerked. The thickness grew rigid, straining against the restriction of my zipper, and I was goddamn uncomfortable. I needed relief. I’d do anything to get little Elle to quit staring at me.
“Fine. I’ll stay.” I sighed and tapped Faith on the head. “Jesus, kiddo. Do you need to be so intense?”
Faith uncrossed her arms. I held my breath while I waited for her answer, and my hard-on went limp.Thank you, Jesus.
“Yes.” Faith nodded and shrugged her shoulders. “Do you always have to be stubborn?”
I chuckled. “Get out of here, kid.”
I ruffled Faith’s hair.
Faith ran away giggling.
Smart ass. Women. They get their way no matter the age.
“Bye, sweetheart!” Noelle called after her daughter and blew her a kiss. “I love you!”
“Love you too, Mommy!” Faith shouted back and slammed the car door shut.
“Have her back for supper, Logan,” Noelle insisted as she walked toward the car and Logan pulled out of the driveway. “Don’t have her—”
“Yeah, yeah, I know...” Logan waved his hand out the window. “Don’t have her out past five because it’s suppertime.”
Noelle put her hands on her hips. “I mean it, Logan.”
Logan ignored Noelle, blasted music, rolled up his window and sped off down the street. I watched Elle slump her shoulders in defeat as the car disappeared, and I had apowerful urge to comfort her. To take her into my arms and tell her that everything would be alright.
Logan had shit for brains and no respect for Elle. Sure, she was over the top and wanted things done her way, but at least she was constantly trying to do the best for her daughter. She was being a mom, and a damn good one. Logan, on the other hand, was an entitled jerk who walked all over Noelle when he had the chance.
One punch. I’d show Logan who to mess with, and it wouldn’t bemyfiery little Elle. Logan would deal withme.
I clenched my hands into fists at my sides and cracked the knuckles to release the tension building up inside of me. The beast I kept at bay wanted to come out. I wanted to race down the street and tear Logan’s driver-side door off, haul him screaming like a goddamn girl out into the street, and beat his ass until he promised to respect the mother of his child. The only woman who probably ever gave a shit and still has to because he was the father of her damn kid.
Noelle turned around.
Slowly, I walked toward Elle, placed my axe against my shoulder and got ready to hug her. I couldn’t help the pull as I closed the distance, but Elle kept her face tilted down toward the ground, completely embarrassed by her scumbag ex-fiancé.
“I’m sorry about Logan. He—” I stopped Noelle with a tilt of her chin and placed my index finger on her lips.
“I don’t want to hear youeverapologize for that asshole. Understand?”
Elle blinked at me with surprise and murmured against my finger, “Got it.”
