“Eli—”
“I don’t think I’ve made a secret of the fact that you’re it for me. We can go slow to the marriage part if that’s what you want, but I’m not going away. I love both you and Cammie. You’re mine to hold, love, and protect. I want to live my live with you and that little girl. I want everything there is to have with you. That’s not going to change for me, Daphne. If it’s not the same for you, then tell me now.”
I moisten my lips because my throat feels suddenly dry. I try to calm my heart, but I don’t think it’s possible.
“I feel exactly the same,” I answer.
He looks at me but stops himself from coming closer. “This is it, baby. Decision time. I have a bag with my crap in it so that I can stay here the next three days. I took time off at the club to do it. You and I are going to spend time with Cammie and try to show her that she can move and still see Ms. Grayson. I’m going to tell you about my past. We’re going to face your divorce, while you move closer to the club and where we will build our lives together, and most of all we’re going to do all of this together and if your daughter wants to call me her father, you let her. She may not have my blood in her veins, but I couldn’t love her more either way. She owns me the same way that you do.”
“You have it all figured out,” I murmur so much fear and happiness inside me, mingling together. I’m having a hard time even saying anything.
“I think I do. I’m just not sure where you stand now.”
“Cammie, baby?” I call over my should.
“Yeah?”
“Let’s go find your bathing suit and floaties for the water park today,” I tell her.
She comes running in the kitchen, all smiles just like I knew she would. “Yay! Waterpark wif my new daddy!” She launches herself at Eli.
He stares at me as a smile stretches across his face, his body relaxing. He picks her up and holds her close. “Love you, Pixie,” he whispers, and I swear my dang ovaries explode.
“Love you, too, Daddy,” she says, in a whisper. Eli just keeps holding her, but I see the tears in his eyes.
This is my family. Now, if I can somehow manage it so that Dane doesn’t cause trouble. If there’s one thing I know about my ex, it’s that if he can …he will.
Chapter 28
Sabre
It’slate by the time we wind up our ride. It has also been one of the best days I can remember. Cory and I took the backroads and scenic byways, stopped to eat at a roadside diner, opting for the picnic tables outside. We stopped at some small shops and just talked about our lives. It wasn’t awkward, it was easy, free, and calming. We laughed, we talked, and we kissed. Damn, that woman can kiss. I’ve never known anyone like her before in my life. She’s comfortable in her own skin and totally at ease with life. She also manages to light up the whole room.
“You want a beer, Sabre?” she asks, making me smile.
“Actually, I’d like coffee. I’ve had enough alcohol, Cory. I don’t want to go back to that person,” she reaches up and kisses me quick on the lips—pulling back before I can deepen it.
“Go sit, kick off those boots and hang up your cut. I’ll bring us some coffee. I think I have some of Daphne’s banana bread in there.”
“I’ll find us a movie,” I offer, making her laugh. “As long as it’s not frozen. Cammie has watched that one so many times, I know what the characters are going to say before they even open their cute, animated mouths.”
“I was thinking more along the lines of Dirty Harry.”
“Oh, cool Clint Eastwood was hot when he was younger,” she purrs.
“No television. Got it,” I joke, making her laugh.
She comes in a few minutes later, immediately curling up on the sofa beside me. You wouldn’t believe this is the first time we’ve been out. Hell, I don’t believe it myself. It’s that easy between us.
“Everything okay? You seem like you’re thinking way too hard?” she asks.
I pick her up, causing her to cry out. I shift us around so I’m lying down, she’s against the back of the couch, she’s watching me as she’s pressed tightly against me, our legs tangling together.
“That’s better. I wanted you in my arms, but I needed to see your face while we talked.”
“That sounds ominous. I’m going to warn you, Sabre. This has been a really good first date. It might possibly be the best in my life, which is saying something. So, don’t screw it up.”
I laugh. “You got it, Cory.”
