The dry earth and gravel crunch beneath the soles of my sneakers as I step out and turn to help Millie out of her parents’ SUV. Her father surreptitiously eyes our clasped hands and scrutinizes me when I plant a kiss on the side of her head. If he thinks I won’t be showing his daughter affection in front of him, he’s got another thing coming. I’m a grown man, and I will kiss my woman whenever I damn well please. With her consent, of course.
“Uncle Ezra,” a tiny voice squeals from the door of the cabin.
Heart stuttering, I turn to Millie.Uncle?
“Looks like you’re not justDaddyanymore,” she whispers.
Without bothering to hide from Ethan, I swat her on the behind.
I’ve barely turned toward the house again when a little body crashes into my thighs, halting me in place. With her head tipped back, Bea holds her arms up. Unable to resist, I awkwardly scoop her up, realizing in this moment that I can’t remember ever picking up a small human like this.
The second she’s situated on my hip, she buries her hands inmy hair, wiping a sticky substance on my neck in the process. She smells like jam and peanut butter, so I hope that’s all it is.
“Where’s your man bun?” She pouts, pulling the flat bill from my head and dropping it onto the ground. “I asked Daddy for a man bun so we could match, but…” She taps her head, gesturing to the lopsided pigtails Asher must have insisted on instead.
I barely know her, but my chest warms with affection for the precocious girl.
“MaybeUncle Ezracan do your hair later, Dolly.”
With a blinding smile, Bea throws herself into Millie’s arms, practically giving me a heart attack at the sudden move.
“Sorry about that.” Asher appears, picking up my hat on the way to greet us. “I hope you don’t mind the uncle thing. She learned about family trees this week and assumed that since Millie is her aunt, that you must be her uncle.”
“Totally fine,” I assure him, secretly honored by the distinction.
Rachel and Ethan make their way to one of the cabins lining the gravel drive while Asher leads us to ours. The structure is small but airy, with an open-concept kitchen and main living space flanked by a bedroom on each side. Duffel bags in tow, Millie and I claim the larger one with the en suite bathroom, and Kane retreats to the other.
Once we’ve abandoned our things, Bea drags me to the sliding glass door, and I follow her out onto the deck.
“This is my mommy’s lake,” she says, lifting her arms up again.
Holding her in the crook of my arm, I follow her petite finger to the calm water about fifty yards away.
Confused, I frown at Millie and Asher.
“Daisy Lake,” Asher says. “It’s the lake my wife was named after.”
“It’s very pretty,” I tell Bea, and she beams with pride.
“Okay.” Asher claps. “Let’s go see what Mimi and Papa are up to next door.” He scoops his daughter from my arms despite her protests and takes the path in the back. “Dinner’s at six,” he calls over his shoulder.
“Last night was fun.” Yawning, Millie wraps an arm around me.
Eyes closed, I soak in her warmth. Waking up to a naked Millie will always be my favorite way to start the day.
“I think I still have marshmallows in my hair.” I pull on the strands stuck together on one side of my face.
Unsurprisingly, Bea was glued to my lap while we sat around the bonfire last night.
“She’s really claimed ownership of you, hasn’t she? Should I be worried?” she teases.
I roll and pin her onto her back. Sucking on her neck, I inhale the scent of her coconut shampoo mixed with a hint of sweat and a touch of campfire smoke. “The only one who can claim me is you, honey.” With a grunt, I grind my hard cock against her thigh.
Just as she digs her nails into my ass, there’s a knock at the door.
“Are you guys coming to breakfast?” Kane calls from the other side.
“Coming,” Millie shouts.
