"I've seen the way that man is around you and Zoe, honey, and can guarantee he's not going anywhere."
"About tonight."
His narrowed eyes had her shaking her head.
"I'm not trying to wiggle my way out of going to dinner. It's just that we had some inventory in today and a new theme I'm trying to fine tune." She pressed her lips on his. "How about we have dinner here?"
His expression lightened.
"That's actually a very good idea. I will finish up at the publishing house and swing by to tuck Zoe in before coming here."
She leaned into him, inhaling his expensive scent. "I love that you're in her life."
He rubbed a hand up and down her back. "And I'm staying. Nothing short of death could make me leave."
Lifting her head, she studied his face. "I'm holding you to it." The insistent ringing of her phone had her reaching for the instrument.
He loved watching her expression change to the brisk take-charge one that had her clipping orders to whoever she was talking to. It was strangely arousing. He enjoyed watching her work and was proud of her. She was innovative and always thinking up ways to bring another element to the business.
"I'm sorry. Crisis with a shipment." She kissed him long and deep and had his juices flowing.
"Christ!" He whispered against her mouth. "Now you're making it harder to walk out of here."
"Later." Her mahogany eyes promised things that had heat flowing through his body.
"I'll hold you to it." Planting a rough kiss on her lips, he put her away.
*****
"Would you like some hot chocolate?"
He had come back downstairs after tucking his daughter in. He had also weakened by reading her two stories instead of the required one. She, like all females, especially the very beautiful ones, knew how to twist people around their little fingers. He decided wryly that his daughter had learned early.
Just managing not to glance at his watch, he nodded and followed Abigail's mother inside the pristine kitchen with its acre of cheerful green and blue counter.
"Zoe as well as Abby loves my hot chocolate." She glanced up as he took his seat around the counter, objectively noticing the lock of hair on his forehead and the way the teal blue of his sweater brought out the blue of his eyes.
His beauty troubled her. As well as his reputation in the past. He was spending time with both of her babies and the last thing she wanted was to see them hurt.
"The secret is in the type of milk and of course the cinnamon." She selected two thick mugs and poured. "My granddaughter inveigled you to read her another story."
He looked so charmingly sheepish, she felt her heart melting as she handed him the cup.
"She knows how to get around me." He admitted. Picking up the cup, he blew away steam and sipped, eyes widening. "This is the best hot chocolate I ever tasted, and I've been around the world."
She beamed at him and sat.
"I don't want to start with the usual."
One thick brow lifted as he studied her face. Abigail looked so much like her that it was uncanny. "You want to know my intentions toward your daughter."
Arlene circled her finger around the rim of the cup. "She was hurt by you."
He tried not to wince at that. "Yes."
"I would hate to see that repeated. It's not only her, but also Zoe as well."
His mouth tightened and he wanted to tell her that it was between him and Abigail but held his tongue. "I can assure you that there won't be a repeat. I have no intention of hurting either of them. I happen to be in love with your daughter, and my little girl means the world to me."
