“Nuh-uh! I want myGwumpybecause he’s got agrou-wyvoice so he can be the cat.Rawr.” She giggled when she made the sound as she continued skipping my way.
She stopped in front of me, tipping her head all the way back to look up at me.
Strands of hair stuck to her pink, chubby cheeks as she held the book between two hands. A black cat with four big white shoes on its paws was on the front.
“You know how towead, my Mr.GwumpyGiant?”
Nerves tumbled in my stomach.
“Yeah, I know how to read.”
“Then you can do it.Pwease?” She swayed back and forth.
I scuffed a hand down my face. What the hell had I gotten myself into?
“Why don’t we let Mr. Cash rest?” Daisy urged as she came deeper into the main room. “He’s had a really long day outside trying to get the porch ready for you to play on, remember?”
“No, I want my Mr. GwumpyGiant!” Eva stamped her foot and pouted out her bottom lip.
Fuck me, this kid wielded some kind of magical power because I was muttering, “I don’t mind.”
No chance could I disappoint the little thing when she was looking at me that way.
Her face lit like I’d crowned her princess, which I might as well have with the way she had full command over me.
She snatched my hand with her tiny one and started to tow me toward the sitting area. “Comewightover here.”
She pushed me down into the recliner, then she…scrambled onto my lap.
Was pretty sure the blood must have drained from my face because Daisy was suddenly right there with concern written all over her gorgeous face. “Eva, sweetheart, I don’t think this is a good i?—”
“It’s fine,” I grunted.
“See, Mommy, it’s fine. He wants to, don’t you?”
Eva shifted around, her knees grinding into my thighs as she grabbed me by both sides of the face.
My chest swelled. So close to overflowing.
“Of course,” I forced out.
“Told you,” she told her mother before she plopped back around and shoved the book in my direction.
“Weadit!”
Blowing out a sigh, I opened to the first page.
Eva ducked under my arm and snuggled into my chest. Could feel her grin as she rested her head on me.
Fuck.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
Sweat gathered on my temples. Fuckin’ dripping down my spine.
Somehow, I managed to open my mouth and start reading.
In an instant, I could feel the way Eva got mesmerized. Totally enraptured by the story. No question, her little imagination carrying her away.
