“Where’s Adele?” Kai asks.
“Here she is,” I say. “I kept her in the nursery until she left.”
“Thank you.” Zane gathers Adele into his arms.
The love he has for his daughter is clear to see on his face. It only makes him sexier, which I would have said was impossible a few weeks ago.
“Does this mean you’re filing for custody?” Eli asks.
“Hell, yeah, I am. I’m not letting anyone take Adele from me.”
I love how fiercely he protects his daughter. How deeply he loves her. I want him to love me and be fiercely protective of me.
I stiffen. I don’t want Zane – the player – to love me. How silly. I don’t love him. Why would I want him to love me?
Liar. You’re falling in love with him.
I want to deny it, but after watching Zane square off with Daisy to protect Adele, it’s undeniable. I am falling for Zane.
Shit. These feelings can only lead to heartbreak. Zane may be ready to be a dad, but he hasn’t changed his standpoint on relationships.
“Okay,” Eli says and I startle. I forgot I was standing in a room with the Raider brothers. Great time to have an epiphany.
I inch backwards until I’m in the kitchen. Boozer follows me. He stands at the door to the yard wagging his tail. Good idea. I’ll take him for a walk and clear my mind.
We slip outside. I wait a few moments, but when no one comes after us, I make my way around the house and down the street.
Boozer barks and tugs on his leash when he notices the neighbor, Addy, dragging her Christmas tree toward a cart parked in the middle of the street.
“Boozer, no!”
My shout seems to incite him as he breaks free and dashes to the Christmas tree. Addy shrieks and drops the tree. Boozer promptly lifts his leg and pees on it.
“Stop!”
I swear, if dogs could roll their eyes, he’d be rolling his eyes at me now.
“Sorry, Addy.” I snatch Boozer’s leash from the ground and yank him back.
Addy clutches his chest. “He scared me, is all. I didn’t notice you walking him.” She glances around. “Where’s Zane and Adele? I want cuddles.”
I ignore her question. I don’t want to discuss Zane or Adele now. “What’s happening?” I motion to the wagon filled with Christmas trees.
“The neighbors got together and rented a cart to bring our Christmas trees to the beach for the Smugglers’ Blaze.”
The Smugglers’ Blaze is a New Year’s Eve bonfire on the beach. The inhabitants of the island gather around and drink moonshine while saying goodbye to the year. I’m usually there working sinceRumrunnerhas a booth selling drinks. Until the crowd gets too rowdy. Then, Harper shuts us down.
Addy narrows her eyes at me. “And don’t think I didn’t realize you changed the subject.”
I shrug. “What is there to say? I’m out walking my dog. Adele and Zane aren’t with me.”
“Hmmm… You two have been getting quite close since you’ve been living with him.”
I roll my eyes. “I’m the nanny. Of course, I live with him.”
“Uh huh. Live with him.”
“Since when are you into small town gossip?”
