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.”
